Biography--Paul R. Almas, a.o.c.a., a.c.i.d.o., a.r.i.d.o. (retired)

Paul Almas is principal at almas associates limited, a 41 year old interdisciplinary design consultancy and senior design associate at The Basadur Centre for Research in Applied Creativity specializing in complex problem resolution and innovation research.  Recent assignments include interior design direction at a major architectural practice specializing in long-term care facilities design and design management of electronic dispensing systems projects in the fast food service sector for a pulp and paper sector client.

In the early ‘90s, exploring innovation in developing world cultures resulted in five years of micro-credit design and development experience as director of the Corporate Development Division for World Vision Canada.  Prime focus was developing micro-credit resources and program capacity in Latin America, Eastern Europe, The Middle East, Africa and Southern Russia.  A Gifts-in-Kind program in1996 raised $26.5 million of product value, including 3 million doses of oral polio vaccine used in an immunization program in Guatemala.  

almas associates limited, (aal) incorporated in 1974, provides design direction for interior, product, graphic and facilities development programs. The firm has won both the Design Canada Prix de Distinction and the Government of Manitoba Premier’s Award. Paul has presented at various international design conferences including, Design & Society, The Third Millennium Conference in Toronto,  the Premier Seminario Internacional Sobre Desenio Industrial in Venezuela, a UNESCO-sponsored International Council Societies of Industrial Design Inter-Design in Norway on the theme ‘Independent Living for the Elderly," and has co-investigated a Canadian Institute for Health Research (CHIR) program to develop design guidelines and specifications for geriatric seating.  

aal has been retained by Westnofa of Canada inc., Ebena LaSalle Ltee, Croydon Furniture Systems inc, Filing Equipment Incorporated, Stramit inc., Ebco Industries Ltd, and Curtis Furniture Systems Ltd. to design contract and modular furniture systems, some of which remain on the market today.  In the late ‘80s aal launched Protrans Design Team, an automotive styling group to design mass transit motor bus, light rail interior seating and environmental systems for Latin American manufacturers in Caracas, Venezuela, Trinidad, Mexico City, Bogota Colombia and a special needs mini-bus for Giardin inc. 

Paul's corporate design experience includes Herman Miller Canada's first space planning consultant for Action Office 2, (the original freestanding, load-bearing panel office furniture system) in Fortune 500 corporate offices across North America, (1972-74).  He was industrial design team member for design of the first Canadian flat roof steel building system for office and industrial park applications for Butler Manufacturing Limited, (1969-72) and staff industrial designer at Creative Workshop Ltd, The Walt Disney Studios Canadian Character Merchandising Division (1967-69) 

He is an honours graduate from OCAD University receiving the Ontario College of Art Medal for Proficiency in Industrial Design in 1967 and a professional member of the Association of Chartered Industrial Designers of Ontario, the Association of Canadian Industrial Designers and throughout his 45 year design career, has served in executive capacities in both organizations.  He is a retired member of the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario.