After earning a BS in Industrial Design from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, Michael Shields began his career designing durable medical equipment for Lumex. A desire to experience contemporary furniture design led him next to Knoll International, where he was privileged to work with leading designers such as Niels Diffrient.
An opportunity to head a design & development team then led Michael to Brayton International, where he acted as V.P. of Design for over ten years. While at Brayton, he developed products created by independent designers, licensed pieces from international partners, as well as his own creations. Michael won twin Neocon Gold awards in 1996 for Brayton Migrations line of collaborative seating & tables.
A longstanding desire to become an independent designer was realized in 2001, when he established StudioThree, an industrial design firm specializing in contact office, healthcare, and residential furnishings. Michael now has over 20 mechanical patents for diverse products from crutches to systems furniture to ergonomic chair mechanisms.