Jose Gamboa
Versatile industrial designer, educator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience specializing in user-centered design, design for manufacturing, product development, and visual communication. His expertise spans multiple disciplines, including industrial design, artistic craftsmanship, and design education.
His journey began in Costa Rica, where he trained as a jeweler and glass blower while teaching college-level courses. This early experience honed his attention to detail, material knowledge, and precision—skills that later became integral to his industrial design career. Seeking to expand his expertise, he worked with Horacio Pagani in Modena, Italy, gaining invaluable insight into high-performance automotive design and luxury craftsmanship.
After earning a master degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), he transitioned into academia, teaching design courses before joining Kids II, a leading toy and kids’ gear manufacturer in Atlanta. There, he mastered the full product development cycle—from concept ideation to large-scale production—working closely with global manufacturing partners in Asia. His deep understanding of materials, ergonomics, and production processes allows him to create innovative, manufacturable solutions that align with both user needs and business objectives.
A passionate advocate for sketching as a fundamental design tool, Jose Gamboa integrates drawing into every stage of the creative process. He believes in its power to communicate complex ideas effectively and overcome language and cultural barriers. Through workshops and lectures, he shares this essential skill with designers, students, and professionals, helping them enhance their visual storytelling abilities.
As a consultant, he partners with businesses to identify design opportunities, optimize product development, and implement strategic design solutions. His approach is rooted in problem-solving, combining creativity with practical business insights to drive innovation. His ability to translate abstract ideas into tangible, market-ready products makes him a valuable asset to any design-driven organization.
His contributions to the industry have earned him recognition as a jury member for the prestigious International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA®) for two consecutive years (2017–2018).
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