“Great design combines the best of art and technology ” according to John Loftus who brings his talents in both fields to the task at hand. “Design has the potential to improve peoples lives’ and an approach that combines culture, marketing and technology can bring about design solutions that are timeless and valuable. Unlike other fields like mathematics where there is often only one correct answer, design is much more subjective with many potential solutions. Defining the problems to be solved, applying a range of potential concepts, evaluating with the proper criteria and making good decisions throughout the process becomes extremely important.”

Loftus received a BS in Industrial Design from the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California in 1984. After graduating with Distinction from Art Center, he joined Design West, a large design consulting firm to work on a wide range of projects such as Space Station concepts for McDonald-Douglas, suitcases for Samsonite and ski boats for MasterCraft. “The scope and variety of projects along with interacting with more experienced designers made for some very instrumental years in my design education” says Loftus.

During the late 80’s, Loftus moved to Switzerland to instruct full time at the Art Center College of Design campus near the small village of La Tour de Peilz. There he taught a very international student body in beginning and advanced Product Design, Perspective, Illustration/Sketch techniques, Figure Indication and lead industry sponsored Projects. “It was a diverse multi-national student body where the combination of different cultures and design came together to produce a unique learning environment. Being there at the very beginning was challenging since just getting the correct supplies for the course and shop requirements was difficult but the enthusiastic and talented students and overcame those obstacles to achieve a great educational experience. I made some life long friends and colleagues there in those years and it’s great to follow the students along as their careers have developed.”

Back in the USA, Loftus continued to teach part time at both the Art Center campus in Pasadena and more recent years at the ATEP program in Tustin California.  “Teaching is my way of giving back to the design field and the next generation of designers.”

Starting with a partnership in the 1990’s until the present Loftus Design Inc., John has developed products in a wide range of industries. By applying the design knowledge from other fields, new ideas can be injected into the design process and combined with the clients internal specific marketing knowledge. The result are truly appropriate solutions that meet the clients needs and become successful products.