Originally, Scout Unlimited began as a custom one-off shop creating Scout Internationals for customers across the globe. They became highly specialized in manufacturing their own parts for the IH family.
Whether it's upgrading your International Harvester or providing support for our IH brothers and sisters, Scout Unlimited is your best online resource. You can contact us anytime over the phone, or by email. We’d love to meet you! You can find us on social media showing off our custom vehicles and answering questions.
The Scout Unlimited icon over a Scout II International
In the beginning, Scout Unlimited had no brand, and everything was done through word of mouth. They knew they had to grow and needed help building a brand. The goal of my involvement in the company was to build a company with strong visuals, a simple-to-use product, and beautiful marketing that could stand the test of time for years to come.
The Scout Unlimited brand guide.
After leaving a marketing design position, my new role at Scout Unlimited tested my skills in new ways and laid the foundation for new ones to emerge. My responsibilities included developing brand visuals, creating marketing and educational materials, capturing and editing video content, and creating social media posts.
Custom Scout part design, prototype and marketing.
My earliest involvement outside of the rebrand was creating the Scout Unlimited Farmall and Harvester bumper kits. In the original bumpers, flat bars were welded together. However, Chris and I collaborated on designing and 3D modeling two sets of clean and modern bumpers. Our 3D models were unwrapped and optimized to be cut from a single sheet of flat metal. This sheet would then in turn be CNC bent and welded together for a complete bumper.
Following the success of the bumper kits, my next task was to redesign the lights, which were 50-year-old technology, to look modern and use new energy-efficient LEDs. In addition to 3D design, I studied electrical engineering, circuit design, and product manufacturing overseas, while conducting feasibility research, testing, and user research.
Customers absolutely loved the fresh new design aesthetics Scout Unlimited was bringing to the scene of Scout restoration and customization. What they did not like however was not knowing how to install their new purchases. One of the most beneficial and impactful projects I was a part of was the ideation and creation of the Scout Unlimited How-To’s which are easy to read and simple to follow.
As a creative, the Scout Builder 2.0 initiative was my baby. Given total creative freedom within the given restraints, I created a drag and drop system for the sales team to build customer Scout designs for preview & approval. It was an instant hit making life easy for the sales team, a piece of art for the client, and easy social media content.
It was a pleasure to meet Michael when I did. He couldn't have come at a better time, and I hated to see him go after he moved to Arizona. He was an awesome person to work with, always upbeat, and never afraid to assist. His knowledge and expertise helped Scout Unlimited get off the ground, and I could not recommend him enough.
Social media content for Scout Unlimited
Having a desk next to sales, I was able to hear everything. Sales for custom builds jumped 40% following the release of Scout Builder 2.0. Granted, it's easier to sell something you can show people, but the sales floor changed dramatically. It was easy to hear the enthusiasm, and it was refreshing to listen to.
My experience has shown me that ideation is a powerful tool for analyzing and predicting cost, feasibility, and customer reactions. We were able to provide solid evidence from a business standpoint as to whether or not a project was worth pursuing. From a design standpoint, I was able to develop innovative and competitive designs that I wouldn't otherwise have thought of.
Scout Unlimted really tested my ability to think on my toes and make assertions. Engines and I go together like oil and water. However even though I did not know the ‘subject material,’ I knew people & I am passionate about design. The secret was finding the connection between the two which required testing & thinking.
