Selected ClientsDavid Yurman·Microsoft·NBC·Booz Allen Hamilton·MAC Cosmetics·Porsche·Tiffany & Co.
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Overview
18+ Years at the Intersection
18+ years operating at the intersection of design, engineering, production, and operations. Across luxury retail, enterprise hardware, and AI-assisted workflows — from brief to installation.
18+
Years of Practice
57
Retail Locations
248
Wholesale Doors
$1.2M
Peak Program Budget
30+
Global Campaigns
Zero
Deployment Failures
Select Client Roster
David YurmanMicrosoftNBCBooz Allen HamiltonMAC CosmeticsPorscheTiffany & Co.FerragamoBrooks BrothersWarby ParkerPatagoniaNordstrom
Section 01 · Global Retail Systems
David Yurman
Sr. VM Consultant2018 – Present57 Retail Locations4 International Markets
Embedded product and production leadership for David Yurman. Over 8 years, built the fixture ecosystems, campaign platforms, and visual merchandising standards operating across the brand's global retail network — from Miami Design District flagships to 248 wholesale doors.
Miami Design District vitrine framework adopted as the retail standard across David Yurman environments globally
Modular component system supporting 2,300+ SKUs with seasonal swap capability — eliminating one-off builds
Holiday campaign platform deployed across 57 retail locations and 248 wholesale doors each season without rebuild
Hero product framework adopted as permanent standard across all retail tiers
Modular Component System · CAD Development · Exploded Assembly · Vitrine Environment
Section 02 · Automation & Product Development
Trak-Kit · Enterprise Hardware Systems
Lead Industrial Designer2016 – 2018$50K – $800K Programs
Hardware design and fabrication leadership for enterprise automated AV and motion systems that didn't exist off the shelf — built for clients where failure at deployment was not an option. Full product lifecycle ownership from brief through on-site install for NBC, Microsoft, and Booz Allen Hamilton.
Zero deployment failures across $50K–$800K programs for NBC, Microsoft, and Booz Allen Hamilton
Alongside client engagements, I maintain an independent practice in custom hardware fabrication, CNC systems, and machine-driven creative work. This includes the design and build of multi-axis fabrication platforms deployed in live production and exhibition contexts. Studio portfolio available separately.
Custom Hardware & CNC Systems
Design, engineering, and fabrication of custom CNC platforms, motion systems, and automated hardware — built from brief to deployment entirely in-house.
Exhibition & Live Deployment
Machine-driven systems developed and exhibited publicly. Demonstrates end-to-end hardware and software integration from concept through live production environment.
Section 04 · Emerging Technology
AI Workflow Development
Independent Practice2023 – Present
Practical AI workflows developed to support research, content creation, design operations, and project execution. Built alongside client work and applied across active engagements — including 30+ David Yurman campaigns.
Research and competitive intelligence pipelines — replaced 6+ hours of weekly manual overhead
AI-assisted iteration applied across 30+ David Yurman campaigns, compressing concept-to-presentation cycles
Documentation, knowledge management, and content development workflows in active daily use
Custom automation pipelines integrating CNC fabrication, generative tools, and production operations
AI-Assisted Workflow Systems · Research, Content, Design Operations, Production
Career
18+ Years. Built from the Ground Up.
A career built on building — from individual fabrication to global program leadership, from physical fixtures to AI-native production systems.
2023 – Present
Principal
Paul Choate LLC
Independent practice spanning creative technology, automation systems, AI-native workflows, and consulting. Developed the OpenClaw multi-agent ecosystem and Ada CNC painting platform. Applied AI-native workflows across 30+ David Yurman campaigns.
2018 – Present
Senior Visual Merchandising Consultant
David Yurman
8+ years embedded product and production leadership. Built global retail programs, fixture ecosystems, flagship rollout frameworks, and campaign systems operating across 57 retail locations, 248 wholesale doors, and 4 international markets. $1.2M peak program budget.
2017 – 2018
VM & Fabrication Lead
MAC Cosmetics
Global visual merchandising and fabrication leadership for one of the world's largest cosmetics brands. Cross-functional coordination across design, fabrication, and global deployment teams.
2016 – 2018
Lead Industrial Designer
Trak-Kit
Hardware design and fabrication leadership for enterprise automated AV and motion systems. Clients included NBC, Microsoft, and Booz Allen Hamilton. Programs ranging $50K–$800K. Zero deployment failures across all engagements.
2015 – 2016
Lead Fabrication Engineer
R-Squared
Luxury retail fabrication and engineering. Complex physical systems for high-end brand environments. Precision manufacturing coordination and on-site installation leadership.
2005 – 2015
Foundation
RISD + Early Studios
Industrial design training at RISD. Early fabrication and design roles across Townsend Design, Teitz & Bacon, Style Factory, and Hellman & Chang. The foundation of a practice built on building.
Capabilities
Where I Operate Across the Production Lifecycle
🏗️
Industrial & Experiential Design
Retail systems, brand environments, fixture ecosystems, and experiential design at global scale. From concept to installed environment.
⚙️
Engineering & Hardware
CAD development (SolidWorks, Rhino), motion systems, mechanical fabrication, DFM, and hardware integration. Physical systems that ship.
🤖
AI Workflow Development
AI workflow development, research automation, and creative production systems — built and applied across active client engagements.
🏭
Manufacturing & Production
Production documentation, prototyping, materials and processes, quality control, vendor management, and global rollout programs.
📐
Systems Architecture
Modular component systems, reusable infrastructure platforms, and scalable frameworks designed for deployment from day one — not retrofit.
🔗
Cross-Functional Leadership
Aligning design, VM, construction, brand, and vendor teams from brief through final installation sign-off across multi-market programs.
🛠️
Automation & Robotics
Custom CNC platforms, tool changers, servo systems, and physical automation. 7+ machines built. 30+ 3D-printed components. Live deployments.
⚡
Rapid Prototyping
From first sketch to physical prototype fast. Decisions made at the bench cost less than decisions made at the factory. Applied across every engagement.
Get in Touch
Let's Connect
Open to conversations about senior design, product development, creative technology, and innovation leadership roles. Reach out directly.
About Paul Choate
Designer, engineer, and creative technologist with 18+ years at the intersection of physical design, engineering systems, and emerging technology. Led global retail programs for David Yurman, delivered enterprise hardware systems for NBC, Microsoft, and Booz Allen Hamilton, and built AI-native production infrastructure from the ground up.
