3M Names Eric Quint Chief Design Officer

3M announced that Eric Quint has joined the company as chief design officer, effective April 1, 2013. He joins 3M with more than 20 years of extensive global experience and a distinguished design career at Royal Philips Electronics.

Quint’s most recent position was global head of design management and consulting, vice president, Philips Design. He has held several senior-level design positions and directed award-winning global design teams across business-to-business and business-to-consumer industries including partnerships, alliances and brand licensing activities.

“In his role as chief design officer, Eric will drive the function of design as a vital competitive platform throughout 3M,” said Ian Hardgrove, senior vice president, marketing, sales and communications. “His global design experience and extensive leadership in building and managing multi-disciplinary creative teams will strengthen the contribution of global design at 3M.”

“I’m excited to join 3M and to build a global design function that unlocks new value by adding creativity and design-thinking to the impressive portfolio of the company,” Quint said. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with my colleagues from design, R&D and marketing to drive innovative solutions for our customers.”

Quint has received more than 40 international design awards under his leadership in the U.S., Europe and Asia, including six individual design awards. He is named inventor on 3 U.S. patents related to the breakthrough “Cool Skin” Philips/Nivea shaver. Quint studied industrial design at the prestigious Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands and holds a degree in mechanical/industrial engineering. He is a speaker and lecturer at international events for design, business, academia and in-company seminars about design thinking, innovation, branding and design management.