Max Beach

Partner & COO at Linespace | Lecturer at CSULB | Design Leadership & Education | Host of Q4D Podcast

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

About

I turn brand strategy into physical experiences and products across EV infrastructure, wayfinding and environmental graphics, and exhibits. As Partner and COO at Linespace in Los Angeles, I lead cross-disciplinary teams from concept through production, aligning form, materials, and user experience with real business outcomes. Focus areas: • EV charging and hardware ecosystems (BTCPower, Ampure, NRG, EVgo, AeroVironment) • Wayfinding and environmental graphics for campuses and hospitality (USC, UCLA, Long Beach Transit, Omni Hotels, Tommy Bahama, Lowe) • Product brand language and visualization (Safran, AV, Helveita Watches, Brinks, Toyota, Audi, BMW) I teach at CSULB and mentor through Creative Aid. I also run TrackSwag, a motorsports-inspired art venture. I stay active with IDSA at both local and national levels, supporting industry connection and professional growth. As a Long Beach resident, I serve on the Downtown Long Beach Alliance Placemaking Committee, contributing to public art and streetscape initiatives. What you can expect: clear strategy, fast visualization, and production-minded decisions that communicate and scale. If you are developing EV hardware, rethinking wayfinding, or building a product brand language, let’s connect.

Experience

  • Partner/COO at Linespace
    Oct 2003 - Present · 22 yrs 9 mos

    Lead product + environment programs from brief to production for EV, consumer, and built environments. Directed EV charging hardware and accessories for Ampure, BTCPower NRG, EVgo; supported validation, vendor coordination, and UL/field constraints. Delivered campus/hospitality wayfinding (USC, UCLA, Omni, Tommy Bahama, Lowe): master plans, sign families, message schedules, and implementation guides. Built visualization pipeline (CAD→renders→shop packs) that cut approval cycles and reduced revisions. Integrated brand language across products and spaces; authored spec packages used by OEMs and fabricators.

  • Host & Creator at Q4D: Questions for Designers
    Oct 2025 - Present · 9 mos

    Q4D (Questions for Designers) is a conversation series exploring how designers think, lead, and make impact across products, experiences, systems, and culture. Recorded on campus at CSULB, each episode brings forward thoughtful, candid conversations with designers, educators, and creative leaders across disciplines. After 25+ years in design, building networks, mentoring students, and collaborating across industries, I launched Q4D as a way to deepen and expand the conversations I’ve been fostering throughout my career. Hosting the DADLS (Duncan Anderson Design Lecture Series) reinforced for me how powerful shared stories, critical reflection, and open dialogue can be for the design community. Q4D is the next evolution of that work: a platform to capture those insights, elevate diverse voices, and create accessible content for both emerging and established designers. Season 1 launches January 2026.

  • Mentor at CREATIVE AID - A ConceptZombie Project
    Jan 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 6 mos

    I work with this great non profit design agency to help bring creative solutions to companies & organizations. My contributions range from mentoring students, junior and mid level designers & creatives through critiques, feedback and engaging with designers in groups and one on one. As a design educator I bring reinforcement in foundations of design, As a practicing professional I am able to provide industry connections as well as standards of practice.

  • California State University, Long Beach (20 yrs 6 mos)
    • Principal Lecturer - Duncan Anderson Design Lecture Series
      Aug 2014 - Present · 11 yrs 11 mos

      Curate and host 8–10 talks/semester; introduced student presentation labs that improved portfolio communication and confidence. http://www.csulb.edu/depts/design/CSULB_DESN/Department_of_Design___Duncan_Anderson_Design_Lecture_Series.html

    • Senior Industrial Design Studio Instructor
      Jan 2011 - Present · 15 yrs 6 mos

      Guide capstone projects; emphasize professional practice, scope estimation, and audience-specific portfolios.

    • Design Instructor/Lecturer
      Jan 2006 - Present · 20 yrs 6 mos

      Developed Advanced Form Development (now in curriculum); outcomes focus: brand-expressive form and CMF translation. Instruct various skills & foundation courses; focus: exploration, skill expansion, validation with real world outputs.

  • Founder & Lead Creative at TrackSwag
    Dec 2015 - Present · 10 yrs 7 mos

    Created a motorsports-inspired retail brand offering custom artwork, graphics, and apparel for racers, teams, and enthusiasts. Partnered with race series and teams to design event branding and merchandise.