EIVIND SOLBERG

QUALIFICATIONS

ABOUT MYSELF

With 9 years as a founder of a technology company, I’ve gained a holistic understanding of product development – both digital and physical. I have a strong creative drive and create value by combining broad insight with deep expertise in UX design, product design, and mechanical engineering. As an industrial designer, I’m used to leading design processes from early insight to final product – often in multidisciplinary teams, collaborating closely with developers, manufacturers, and decision-makers.

I enjoy tackling new challenges and quickly immerse myself in complex problems. With enthusiasm and curiosity for people, I contribute energy, engagement, and trust to any team.

WHO AM I

Improvement (Improving life) through creation is the core of what drives me. Knowing that it is difficult is what makes it fun. With 25 years of experience in concept and product development, last 8 years as founder of the tech company Playfinity, I possess a holistic insight to bringing ideas and concepts to life. As foundation I am an industrial designer with strong hands-on experience as designer and managing design processes, as well as performing mechanical engineering and technology development. My desire is to drive meaningful innovation, hence Playfinity. I thrive in the collaboration between different professions, cultures and people types, and strive to create collective problem solving and ideas. Concept development, presenting and selling ideas has always been the base of my work.

Playfinity

Identified the core idea/concept, assembled core team of co-founders and founded a Norwegian tech-company. Obtained funding (investors and soft funding). Designed, developed and produced several pioneering tech products, and brought these to the global market as a B2C brand with minimal team and resources. Established and maintained an international network of partners within amongst production, technology development, software development, patents and brand building. Pioneered a new market segment, Active Gaming. Mission: Inspire kids to healthier, happier lives. 

Inventas

Was lead designer and co-partner founding the Oslo department of Inventas, Norway's largest development agency. Established a core network of clients through pitching the company and leading and performing successful projects. 

Stay/Ekornes

Elevated the hotel interior design company to new level being the first in this business segment to present interior designs via 3D-visualizations and animations. Took over as head of design and development at the furniture factory Stay acquired, Hov Dokka, and played a central part in the process of Stay being acquired by Ekornes.

Design without boarders

Was the pioneer designer of the newly founded program, Design without borders, led by Norsk Form (now DOGA). Created a concept of progressive temporary shelters for the international red cross (Latin America) that was continued for 10 years after my engagement. Top nominated for the world’s largest design award, The Index projects awards.

SUCCESS
STORIES

PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Product development, product design and mechanical engineering

Extensive experience in developing everything from concepts to fully realized, mass-produced products. At Playfinity, I led the development of robust technology products for outdoor use – from idea, prototyping and testing to mechanical design, material selection and construction for mass production. I have worked on everything from consumer products to industrial components in collaboration with companies such as Jotron, Hexagon Ragasco and ABB via Inventas. I have also developed furniture and interior solutions as Head of Design at Stay. Strong aesthetic and functional understanding combined with the ability to communicate effectively with developers and manufacturers. I often take on leading roles in interdisciplinary development processes and ensure that products are designed holistically and purposefully – with both user and production in focus.

UX design and interaction development

Extensive experience in developing digital interfaces and user experiences. I led UX design for Playfinity’s ecosystem of gaming apps, collaborating closely with developers and design partners. I have also delivered interaction design and user testing in various projects at Inventas. Strong experience with Figma, prototyping, UI design and design-driven development in multidisciplinary teams.

Concept development and design strategy

Developed numerous product and service concepts in collaboration with technology companies, both as a consultant and as an entrepreneur. Worked strategically to align user needs with technological and business objectives. Defined the core concept for Playfinity and led the brand and innovation direction.

User involvement and testing leadership

Worked systematically with user involvement – for both digital services and physical products. Conducted extensive testing and iterations with users in Norway, the US and Canada. Combines qualitative insight with agile design cycles.

Project management and cross-disciplinary collaboration

Broad experience in project leadership, resource coordination and international collaboration. Led development projects with partners in China, Pakistan, Tunisia, France and Norway. Strong communication with developers, designers, manufacturers and decision-makers.

Visual communication and design presentation

Strong visual skills in 2D/3D visualisation, animation, video and graphic design. Designed packaging, marketing materials and presentations for Playfinity. Created animations and visualisations for technology companies through Inventas.

SKILLS

Hard Skills:

Product design and mechanical engineering

Concept development and strategic design

User testing and design-driven innovation

UX design and interaction design

3D modeling and prototyping

Visual communication and animation

Certification, documentation, and production preparation

Project management in cross-disciplinary development environments

Tools & Technology

Adobe Creative Suite, Figma

SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor

3ds max Fusion 360

After Effects, Premier

Ulitmaker (3D-printing)

Office 365, Google Workspace

CHat GPT, Midjourney

Soft Skills:

Analytical and structured with creative drive

Proactive and solution-oriented

Strong communicator across disciplines and cultures

Thrives with responsibility and holistic ownership

Motivated by creating forward-thinking and meaningful solutions

WORK EXPERIENCE

BRAND EXPERIENCE

Playfinity

Jotron

Hexagon Ragasco

Tomra

Nammo

ABB

Trox

Medema

Invotron

Lilleborg

Inventas

Eltek

Kverneland

Hitec

Nidar

Grove Knutsen

MDG

Oshaug

Stokke

Saxi

Ekornes

Hov Dokka

Stay

International Red Cross

MDG

Oshaug

Stokke

Saxi

Ekornes

Hov Dokka

Stay

International Red Cross

Invotron

Lilleborg

Inventas

Eltek

Kverneland

Hitec

Nidar

Grove Knutsen

Playfinity

Jotron

Hexagon Ragasco

Tomra

Nammo

ABB

Trox

Medema

EDUCATION

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (MSc) - design institute

Iniversitat Politecnica de Valencia - Design engineering

Indian Institute of Science - Mechanical engineering

Sergeant course in the Norwegian military (USK), cannon commander

Nesbru High School

Norwegian

LANGUAGE

Written    - Native language
Verbal      - Native language

English

Written    - Excellent
Verbal      - Excellent

Spanish

Written    - Beginner
Verbal      - Intermediate

LANGUAGE

INTERESTS & HOBBYS

Sports

Hiking

Drawing

Reading

Horseback riding

Piano

Gitar

Composing music

Chess

Boardgames

“Study people, not algorithms. Algorithms change, people do not.” – Justin Welsh"