About Us

There is an "i" in our team...it's INNOVATION!

At Paradigm Design Solutions, our mission is to deliver a positive “out-of-box” experience to every client and consumer, inspiring them to desire more from their packaging, and working side by side with them to create eye-catching packaging. Our leadership team has more than 40 years combined experience in industrial design, package engineering, manufacturing, and client service, having worked with several notable companies. Each creative team member holds an average of 10 years experience – from packaging concepts, to structural engineering, to packaging production.

Our Team

Paradigm Design Solutions is composed of the best strategic and creative minds, all coming together to create an innovative, custom, leading-edge presentation for your product. Need packaging concepts designed? We’ve got designers for that. Need someone to analyze the structure, material, and weight of your packaging? We’ve got structural engineers for that. What about the logistics of shipping your product? Yes, we’ve got logistical analysts and manufacturers, too. Need someone to hold your hand through the process? Our service team is ready to assist.

Armed with decades of retail and manufacturing expertise; experience exceeding the needs of Fortune 1000 companies and start-ups; a seamless process, from design concept to post-production delivery; and a passion for the package, Paradigm Design Solutions creates a packaging blueprint that is arched with innovation and cost effectiveness and gets your product sold.

Steffen Smith
Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Steffen Smith founded Paradigm Design Solutions when he recognized a growing need to create functional, creative, and cost-conscious product packaging. Using his 25 years of packaging-industry experience, Steffen wanted to educate clients on the limitless opportunities for marrying their brand, product, and packaging structure. He also wanted to bring together an artistic and structural engineering team that could break out of the restrictions of the right angle.

More than just the owner, Steffen has a hands-on approach to business. He’s the lead structural engineer and oversees creative functions and client engagements at Paradigm. He is also coauthor of several patents, forging the path for custom technologies and trends.

Prior to founding Paradigm, Steffen served in senior management at several of the largest consumer and entertainment corporations worldwide responsible for structural packaging engineering. He began his quest for the perfect package at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor of fine arts in Industrial Packaging and Design.

Felicia Smith
Vice President, Business Operations

Felicia Smith leads business management and client administration. With more than 12 years experience in the financial industry, she focuses on corporate objectives, resource management, process improvement, and business solutions to exceed client expectations. As a key facilitator of communication between clients and Paradigm Design Solutions, she is a true customer advocate who focuses on ensuring that clients have a full understanding of the process and services. Felicia provides operations quality and offers the highest level of service, building and sustaining positive client relationships.

Prior to joining Paradigm, Felicia oversaw the service delivery strategy for a premier retirement firm with more than $21 billion in assets, managed a staff of 75 across multiple locations, and engaged with Fortune 1000 corporations and privately held companies. She has a bachelor of arts from UCLA and is a licensed insurance agent with a certification in FINRA Series 6 and 63.

Our Clients

The Paradigm design team provides innovative packaging services for companies big and small, so our collaborative process is scalable for companies of all sizes and needs. Whether you’re a household name or a burgeoning start-up, our commitment to excellent customer service is the same.

Testimonials

I have worked with Steffen for years and he represents one of the most creative thinkers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Whether your idea needs to be in or out of the box – Steffen will be a great partner to get you there.
- Ron Brawer, Maya Group

Steffen is a packaging ‘Guru’! Providing our company with just the expertise we needed to complete key projects. Attention to detail, quality service and responsiveness exceeded our expectations.
- Peggy Vicioso, Charisma Brands

I don't know if I would have been able to find a packaging design solution as creative, thorough and convenient as Paradigm. Not only do I get rave reviews about my product, I get compliments on the packaging. They are amazing to put it simply!
- Roderick McDaniel, gbelts

The PDSI team completed my vision in bringing my brand to market. My product stands out amongst the competition.
- Brandi Ford, T-Pac