about zero1

zero1, a global sketch‐to‐container design and development furniture company based in West Michigan, was founded in 2003 by American designers Gardner Klaasen and David Valdiserri. Gardner and David bring over 40 years of combined experience to zero1 in all phases of industrial design, product development, product management, manufacturing, engineering, and sales. Prior to forming zero1, each designer owned his own successful industrial design firm.

With the recent relocation of production facilities to Greenville, zero1 is now able to fill a void in the marketplace by designing, developing and producing its own branded furniture products with attractive, clean design aesthetics of uncompromised quality at competitive prices.

The zero1 team's methodology embraces working cohesively together from sketch phase, model-making, validation, and engineering to tooling, quality control, testing and supply chain management. Gardner and David work in a hands-on capacity during every phase of product development to ensure that the company's high quality design and product standards are achieved. zero1 is currently focused in the office seating and military markets. However the company has additional, specialized expertise in furniture, automotive, marine and medical product development.

zero1's founders have a proven track record of working with a diverse, international client base ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to privately-owned companies. Prior to forming zero1, Gardner was a lead designer on the first Steelcase Leap Chair and David was the lead designer for the Steelcase Trilogy Series and as a consultant served as the lead designer for various design firms whose clients included Jami, Zoom Seating, Staples, Teknion, Global and Haworth.

Since the formation of zero1, Gardner and David have jointly introduced the following global seating products, while working through all phases of product development from sketch to market: Kimball's new ergonomic "Wish" chair in 2005; a Steelcase Asia Pacific (SCAP) product designed for the World market named "Apt", and a chair named "Gamma" for the European market; the Bernhardt "Pilot" chair; Turnstone "Jack" and "Burton" chairs; and, the "Edge" chair which is a highly adjustable ergonomic work chair for a Taiwan manufacturer. zero1 has also designed and developed a new range of seating and marine accessories for boating manufacturer Tempress Products and Fish On. zero1 is currently developing an extreme performance Military Seat to mitigate the effects of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) on a range of military vehicles.

zero1 Designers: David Valdiserri & Gardner Klaasen

zero1 co‐founders and partners David Valdisseri and Gardner Klaasen share a leadership role in the design and product development direction at the U.S. based company. David and Gardner's vision, teamwork and an uncompromised commitment to quality has served as a catalyst for the organization's steady growth since the company's inception in 2003.

Both senior‐level product and seating designers with over 40 years' combined experience, David and Gardner set the overall design direction of the entire zero1 product portfolio.

David Valdiserri

David, a successful industrial designer and advanced prototype specialist with over 25 years' professional experience in the office seating industry, holds several patents. Prior to forming zero1, David owned a successful product development and industrial design firm, DVDA, where he served as the lead design consultant at various design firms whose clients included Jami, Zoom Seating, Staples, Teknion, Global and Haworth.

Classically trained in the fine art of hand drawing and a proficient user of state‐of‐the‐art digital technology, it was during these early, formative years in his career that David honed his skills—not only as an industrial designer, but also in product development, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and sales areas.

David consulted with an industry leader of casual outdoor manufacturer Woodard, Exhibit Design Consultants where he was responsible for the design, manufacturer and implementation of Fredrik Meijer Gardens' Snell Exhibit, featuring Nina Akamu's representation and build of Leonardo da Vinci's bronze horse.

David previously served as Project Manager for plastic injection molder Lescoa, Inc. where he oversaw both automotive forward lighting programs and contract seating projects.

David has worked closely with accredited author Thomas A. Heinz while serving as lead reproduction designer for Bexley Heath Ltd. He was retained to create 16 reproductions of classic wood seating and case good designs by Frank Lloyd Wright.

From 1987‐1990 David was a seating design consultant with Steelcase and was the lead designer for the Steelcase Trilogy Series.

Born in Saginaw, Michigan, David earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Industrial Design from Kendall College of Art.

David's work has been featured in Metropolis, Interior Design Magazine and Monday Morning Quarterback. He has been awarded a 2006 Best of NeoCon Silver for the Bernhardt Pilot Chair.

Gardner Klaasen

Gardner, an entrepreneur and industrial designer with over 20 years' professional industrial design and product development experience spanning multiple industries, holds over 50 patents to his name.

Prior to forming zero1, Gardner owned a successful product development and industrial design company, Design Renaissance, which he operated from his own design studio located in the Whiticomb building in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Gardner has consulted many Fortune 500 Companies, including Johnson Controls Inc., Ford Motor Company, Daimler‐Chrysler, Sony, Closure Medical, Amway Corporation, Haworth, Kimball, X‐Rite, and others.

It was during these early, formative years in his career that Gardner honed his skills—not only as an industrial designer, but also in the product development, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and sales areas.

Prior to forming his own industrial design company, Gardner also served a brief, three‐year stint with Steelcase, Inc. where he served as a lead designer for the Leap Chair.

Born in Traverse City, Michigan, Gardner earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Industrial Design at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan where he graduated with honors in industrial design.

Gardner's work has been featured in Metropolis, Interior Design Magazine and Monday Morning Quarterback. He has been awarded a 2006 Best of NeoCon Silver for the Bernhardt Pilot Chair.

"The basic value of a sustainable society, the ecological equivalent of the Golden Rule, is simple: each generation should meet its needs without jeopardizing the prospects for future generations to meet their own needs." – World Commission on Environment and Development.

At zero1, we believe good design accomplishes more with less. Less packaging, less storage space, less transportation, and less of the unnecessary stuff.

To this end, zero1 is committed to the following:

• Design and manufacture in the United States.
• Cradle to cradle design practices.
• Knock-Down (KD) Packaging which minimizes storage space and the need for extraneous packaging material.
• Use fewer parts and minimize manufacturing processes.
• Develop products designed to weigh less and require less raw material.
• Make an effort to eliminate waste, not just reduce it.
• Work with suppliers to find creative ways to reuse waste materials.
• Selectively use suppliers who are committed to sustainable manufacturing processes.
• Work with suppliers who are committed to using recycled or renewable materials wherever possible.
• Produce products that are designed to last.
• Working toward LEED certification.

As cradle to cradle designers, our commitment to the environment begins long before we produce a new product. From the moment a new product is conceived, we consider how it will be recycled or reused at the end of the product life cycle.