John Klinkenberg

PRODUCT DESIGN JUROR

John Klinkenberg is a prominent Industrial Designer based in the Hunter region of New South Wales. With over 20 years of experience across a wide range of industries, from consumer to industrial products, he is currently focused on clean technology and renewable energy capture projects, reflecting his commitment to sustainable innovation.

Throughout his career, John has cultivated deep expertise in both traditional and advanced manufacturing techniques, enabling him to deliver practical, yet innovative design solutions.

Currently, John serves as Principal Industrial Designer at The Melt, an Industrial Prototyping Lab and Innovation Accelerator. In this role, he works closely with startups, SME’s and corporate partners to unlock intellectual property, develop commercially viable products, and bring class disrupting products to market. The Melt also plays an active role in startup investment and hardware focused innovation.

John’s contributions have helped numerous client’s products earn Good Design Awards, and he is passionate about mentoring the next generation of designers, sharing his knowledge and experience.