Mitch Bakker
Principal. A good design often needs to do more than one thing. So does a good designer. IDA Design principal Mitch Bakker has done many things throughout his career, all of which add to the culture of the firm. He founded IDA Design after spending years sitting as head of product design for leading furniture manufacturers. Mitch understands the importance of putting the client goals on par with the designer’s vision and pushes our team toward results that realize both. A highly respected designer in his own right, Mitch remains very hands-on in the design process. His trips to Zambia and Haiti and volunteer work in local ministries have strengthened his faith, deepened his passion, and inspired an ongoing commitment to action in the area of social justice.
Cara Danis
Studio Lead. Cara's love for creating started as a child with her grandpa in his woodworking shop. Her travels through Scandinavia sparked her interest in furniture design, and she later studied Industrial Design at Western Michigan University and Denmark’s International Study Program. She has worked in various design roles and industries before coming to IDA, including modular housing, recreational vehicles, residential cabinetry, and hospitality furniture. During her time at Coachmen RV she headed up the Advanced Design Team, where she led design and coordinated development. She brings her coordination and management skills to her role as Studio Lead at IDA, laying the smack down (when necessary) and keeping the entire team on task. Outside the studio, she loves to travel, and even goes above and beyond to help plan vacations for her coworkers.
Zach Raven
Design Lead. While in grade school, Zach loved math and science, but as he got older he discovered his aptitude for drawing. When he found the Industrial Design program at Kendall College of Art and Design, he knew he had found the ideal place to cultivate all his strengths. His past product design work includes floor sweepers for Bissell, a bouncy seat for Sassy, and award-winning watches, not to mention several successful commercial furniture products, many with IDA. Zach brings his experience and talents to our studio every day as our Design Lead. His coworkers see him as the perfect mix of hard-working and fun-loving. When not at work he fills his time with activities like designing his home.
Kori Podjan