Welcome to the KYDEX® designBrief: A Design-Inspired Blog Where Ideas and Inspiration Meet.
The SEKISUI KYDEX designBrief is a design blog that takes inspiration beyond thermoplastics. Our goal is to inspire and engage with our readers by exploring design and color trends, sharing insights into the creative process, and featuring conversations with designers and end users from around the world, plus the occasional behind-the-scenes look at thermoplastics. Most importantly, the designBrief is a hub for conversation, a shared space for inspiration, and a community to share your experiences.
The designBrief is curated by Karyn McAlphin, SEKISUI KYDEX Creative Design Lead, who has a passion for design, deep industry experience, and natural inquisitiveness.
Meet Karyn
As an ardent believer in the power of design to drive business success, my career has been shaped by a dedication to innovation, a keen eye for aesthetics, and a focus on the customer experience – particularly in the aviation industry. Bridging the space between imagination and execution, my experiences blend creativity with practical application to push boundaries and deliver results.
Even in childhood, I had an eye for color and design. My prized possession was a 72-color box of Crayola crayons, which I carefully organized by hue while memorizing captivating names like Prussian Blue, Aquamarine, and Burnt Umber. Growing up, my family traveled frequently, and my early desire to become a flight attendant, coupled with my fascination with checking out hotel interiors on a floor-by-floor basis, clearly foreshadowed my 18 years of aircraft specification experience.
At US Airways, I landed my “dream job” in the corporate marketing department, where I combined my love of flying with my passion for design and branding. During my 25-year career there, culminating as Sr. Manager – Marketing & Branding, I led a variety of high-profile projects such as the airline’s corporate rebranding from USAir to US Airways, the launch of Inflight Café (the first buy-on-board program in the industry), the design and development of a custom tailored uniform program for 13,000 frontline employees, and development of the Envoy Suite, an industry-leading business class seat hailed by the press as a game-changer. My career path was perhaps inevitable – my Barbie’s stylish Pan Am uniform was an early design inspiration.
Design at SEKISUI KYDEX
At SEKISUI KYDEX, we believe that design and manufacturing are inherently connected. Designers challenge manufacturers to bring bold ideas to life, while innovations in manufacturing create new possibilities for design. As Creative Design Lead, I tap into this synergy while shaping the aesthetic direction and customer experience of KYDEX® Thermoplastics, bringing a designer’s perspective to every project.
As a former KYDEX® customer myself, I continue to “think like the customer,” translating market needs into creative, achievable solutions. My interests are wide-ranging, but spend any time with me and you’ll soon hear about the value of design in business and cross-pollination between the automotive, hospitality, aviation, rail, and medical device industries. What ties them together? Stay tuned!
Keep an eye out and remember to subscribe below to receive notifications of each month’s new KYDEX® designBrief.