INDD Alum Holds Design at the Center of Sales

Gibson graduated from Auburn’s School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) before building a career across multiple companies and sectors. He was previously on the SIGD Advisory council and has served on the College of Architecture, Design and Construction Executive Board for the last decade, serving as the chairman for two years starting in 2023.

“Our teams have launched over 100 products across the different companies where I’ve led product and marketing, and I’ve always kept design near and dear to my heart,” Gibson said, explaining that he brings practitioner insight and a business perspective to the CADC Executive Board, working more in a managerial capacity than in a design role. “Having design sensitivity has been critical to my success, but I also balance that with the practical realities of sales and what happens in the field.”

After Auburn, Gibson went on to earn a Master of Business Administration at Louisiana State University before joining General Electric, where he spent eight years gaining experience in sales, management and strategic marketing.

“I wanted to understand at the ground level how customers actually make their decisions and how products are sold into the marketplace,” he said, explaining that he could bring the sales perspective back into design and product teams.

In addition to an executive rotational program at GE, Gibson earned a black belt certification in Six Sigma, a process that helps reduce variation, eliminate waste and improve workflow.

Then, Gibson spent six years leading retail, product and marketing at Humanscale, a New York-based ergonomic office furniture manufacturer, working to double the size of the company.

“I wanted design back in my life and career,” he said, helping launch products like QuickStand and Float, a pneumatic design for a sit-stand desk.

Now, he is the General Manager of Retail for InVue, leading global sales, marketing product and innovation for the ASSA ABLOY company in Charlotte, North Carolina. Recently, he’s been involved in security products for major world retailers, including Live Locks that allow retail associates to service customers easily.

Gibson credited the breadth of his career to his Auburn education and the advantages of the program.

“Auburn broadened my worldview and my perspective,” Gibson said. “The CADC programs give you all the tools you need to succeed—it’s what you do with it from there that matters.”