Innovative Product Manager | Melody Kang Portfolio

ABOUT ME

My Story

My journey to Product Management began with a love for creating tangible, meaningful products. I studied Industrial Design at California State University, Long Beach, where I honed my skills in building solutions that bring efficiency, convenience, and comfort to people’s lives. After starting my career as a graphic designer, I quickly discovered a passion for managing the end-to-end product lifecycle, blending creativity and strategy to drive impactful projects. Over time, this path led me to Product Management, where I thrive on solving complex challenges and delivering innovative solutions.

Outside of work, I’m a bit of a bookworm, with a love for science fiction, biographies, and topics like technology, archaeology, ancient civilizations, and psychology. I enjoy crafting handmade items, exploring historic architecture and art history, and spending quality time with my family and my dog, Miffy. Music is another passion of mine—whether it’s classical, jazz, or Chinese songs, there’s always a soundtrack to my day.

Originally from Taiwan, I’m bilingual and still love visiting a few times a year to reconnect with my roots and family. Travel is a big dream of mine, and I hope to one day explore Egypt, Inner Mongolia, and Germany. Whether it’s building a product, a craft, or a memory, I find joy in the act of creation and connection.

Work Experience

A skilled Hardware Product Manager with over 8 years of experience in consumer electronics, specializing in hardware-software integration and IoT products. Expertise in full product lifecycle management, strategic road mapping, and market positioning, combined with a strong foundation in product design and creative problem-solving. Adept at leading cross-functional teams, fostering supplier collaboration, and delivering innovative, customer-focused solutions on time. Demonstrates a passion for leveraging data to uncover market needs and drive business growth.

NZXT, Inc.

Product Manger, Monitors & Keyboards

Spearheaded the entire product development lifecycle from initial concept through successful launch and consistently delivered high-quality solutions on time, while aligning with evolving market demands. Partnered with software and hardware teams to define innovative product features and drive enhancements to increase user experience. Coordinated with suppliers to negotiate terms, secure exclusivity agreements, and improve cost efficiency. Led strategic product positioning and go-to-market initiatives to enhance brand awareness and reputation and ensure company products resonate with target audiences and strengthen market presence.

Product Manager, Air Cooling & PC Lighting Accessories

Collaborated with Hardware and Software Engineering teams to redefine internal software definitions and introduce new features, while enhancing compatibility between hardware capabilities and software usability. Streamlined internal processes for cross-functional development teams, optimized workflows, and enabled product management teams to meet product launch timelines. Managed cross-functional project timelines by coordinating with engineering, operations, finance, creative, marketing, sales, and vendors, ensuring timely delivery of product development milestones.

Jan 2021 - Jan 2025

Nov 2017 - Dec 2020

LOLLICUP

NZXT is a leading brand in the gaming and PC hardware industry, specializing in innovative, high-performance products that enhance the gaming experience. Known for its sleek designs and user-friendly software, NZXT delivers cutting-edge solutions, from custom PCs and components to intuitive software like CAM, empowering gamers and creators worldwide.

Established the creative team from the ground up by recruiting competent candidates and developing a cohesive group that strengthened brand identity across product lines. Managed a team of 5 designers and 4 freelancers across Los Angeles and Taiwan and established streamlined processes that improved asset production efficiency and global design standards.

Design Manager

Jan 2015 - Dec 2017

Monitors:
- Achieved $5.3M in revenue during first-generation monitor product lifecycle, surpassed initial target of $2.6M, and laid a foundation for future market success.
- Established and optimized end-to-end processes for monitor product development, reduced development timelines by 20%, and created scalable systems which streamlined concept-to-launch execution.
- Increased DTC channel monitor-to-PC attach rate from 5% to 15% by developing targeted promotions and campaigns in close collaboration with direct-to-consumer teams.
- Secured growth in development investment from $5M to $10M by creating a strategic roadmap with additional models and implementing a monitor configurator for user customization enhancement.
- Generated $3M in additional revenue by launching a second-generation lower-priced monitor product line designed to meet needs of price-sensitive customers and late adopters.

Exceeded sales targets by 70% by conducting market analysis, evaluating localized marketing campaigns, and driving adoption in APAC and EMEA regions.
Led successful launch of HUE 2 lighting ecosystem and introduced innovative features that established a new industry benchmark for PC lighting and solidified NZXT’s category leadership.
Improved out-of-box user experience by 25% partnering with hardware engineering team to define technical specifications, including lighting and power port placements, simplifying accessory connections and streamlining cable management.
Addressed key customer needs for noise reduction by increasing PC fan performance by 20% and achieving quieter operations.
Drove 20% increase in customer satisfaction ratings by enhancing product usability and customization through integration of feedback from gamers and PC builders.
Elevated brand recognition and market penetration with strategic go-to-market planning; increased adoption product rates by 40% across key regions and strengthened NZXT’s global presence.
Expanded HUE product lineup and sustained competitive differentiation by leveraging customer insights and market trends.

Contributed to revamping CAM software to include 5+ product control and settings adjustment features, such as RGB lighting, cooling, and system adjustments, enhancing software usability and setting a foundation for future product integrations.
Led a company-wide rebranding project in collaboration with an external agency; served as the main internal point of contact to review and approve deliverables, ensuring alignment with CEO’s vision. The rebrand included a new logo, updated website, and comprehensive brand DNA guidelines for 50+ product and graphic design elements.
Streamlined global design standards and processes, improving cross-team collaboration and asset production efficiency across Los Angeles and Taiwan offices.

Lollicup USA is a leading manufacturer and distributor of beverage and foodservice products, specializing in eco-friendly disposable items and specialty beverage ingredients. Known for its brands like Karat® and Tea Zone®, the company serves a diverse clientele, ranging from small businesses to national restaurant chains.

Graphic Designer

Apr 2013 - Jan 2015

Produced high-impact visual assets for 10+ product launches, web design projects, software UX/UI, and events that aligned with NZXT’s innovative brand identity and supported marketing and product development objectives. Collaborated with the marketing team to develop product launch assets, including 100+ print materials such as packaging and manuals, as well as go-to-market assets like web graphics, retail channel materials, and campaign visuals. Partnered with sales team to create tailored sales assets that address regional needs, including event support such as booth planning, signage, and printed materials.

Graphic Designer / Marketing Coordinator

Dec 2012 - Apr 2013

Designed and implemented marketing strategies for events and product launches, including creating promotional materials, media kits, and product packaging. Developed and distributed press releases, and collaborated on branding and marketing literature to drive engagement and visibility.

Prime-Optic Electronic Tech, Inc.

Project Manager

May 2006 - Dec 2008

Served as the primary liaison with vendors in China, managing supplier relationships and ensuring seamless communication. Oversaw project timelines and coordinated with municipal clients to deliver customized LED lighting solutions tailored to city needs. Led R&D efforts to identify and develop innovative, cost-efficient products, ensuring on-time delivery and alignment with project goals.

Prime-Optic Electronic Tech, Inc. is a startup specializing in importing LED lighting solutions for urban infrastructure, including streetlights and other city-related applications. The company focused on collaborating with factories in China to deliver innovative, cost-efficient, and energy-saving lighting products for municipal projects.

Tricon Design

Tricon Design is a creative agency specializing in brand development, graphic design, and a variety of design solutions. The agency partners with clients to deliver impactful visual identities and creative assets that align with their business goals.

Graphic Designer

May 2003 - Nov 2004

Developed a wide range of creative assets tailored to client needs, including graphic designs, flash animations, logos, and branding materials. Worked closely with clients to ensure designs aligned with their vision and business objectives.

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Keyboards:
- Modernized keyboards from Gen 2 to Gen 3, drove category growth with feature upgrades, and expanded the product lineup to achieve a projected revenue increase from $1.4M to $4M.
- Increased EMEA keyboard sales by 20% and AMER sales by 35% by implementing Gen 2 pricing adjustments, leading marketing activities, and elevating brand equity.
- Improved profit margins by 7% on Gen 3 keyboards through cost-reduction strategies and enhanced supplier agreements.
- Secured 2-year exclusivity contract for new key switch technology which prevented competitors from using the innovation for one product cycle and strengthened market differentiation.
- Boosted customer satisfaction by 15% by leading software and firmware teams in defining product specifications and introducing preset profiles and user-friendly controls for keyboard usability optimization.

Designed the first version of NZXT’s CAM software, focusing on PC performance monitoring, and delivered a user-friendly interface that became the primary control hub for 90% of the company's hardware products.
Redesigned company website within six months and updated layout and UX/UI which improved functionality and user reach by 60%.
Supported design and execution of assets for 10+ global industry conventions and tradeshows, including booth layouts, signage, and promotional materials, ensuring brand consistency and impactful visual representation.