Jose Gamboa

Project: Sketch Aerobics TM

My role: Creator

Overcome the barriers of communication by using music and basic elements of sketching to think visually. The key to be successful at Sketch Aerobics is to learn by doing and work hard. The fun aspect of the Sketch Aerobics eliminates the frustration that commonly used techniques provoke in young designers when learning how to draw. The learning process begins with the very basic elements of drawing (lines and circles) and builds up to the more complex visual techniques. The workshop emphasizes the development of rapid visualization and the most effective ways to visually communicate your ideas as an instrument for innovation. Founded in 2005

Project: Masterack SmartSpace, developed in 2013.

My role: Lead Designer.  

Client: Masterack.

Award: 2015 IDSA, IDEA Bronze Award .

Masterack brought us the challenge of finding a way to maximize storage space in their commercial vehicles in an economical and reliable way. Based on ethnographic data and firsthand experience of the problem, our team determined there was a need for a lightweight modular space utilization system that was also good-looking and easy-to-assemble.

Project design brief:

This project was crucial for our client and their future business goals. Even though Masterack was the leader on the category, they were losing profit to competitors with new design and new material innovation. The main opportunity was to create a modular system that will transform their business model and manufacture strategies.

New sytem description: Smartspace is an innovative, modular cargo management system that offers a variety of shelves, drawers, and accessories that slide into upright panels for infinite storage possibilities. Made from structural foam and aluminum materials, this system provides weight savings over comparable steel interiors of up to 35%. These quiet, composite shelves will hold as much weight as steel, with heavy-duty grade-8 fasteners to secure the system to your vehicle.

For this project, I directed contextual research, data analysis, the creation and implementation of the visual brand language during the design stage and ensuring aesthetic direction on the engineering stage. I directed 3 designers and 2 engineers to ensure that the ID direction agreed by the client will be carry all the way to production.

Materials: Glass filled structural foam/ aluminum/powder coated steel.

Projects: Baby Jumper/ Baby Bouncer

My role: Gear and Toy Designer

Employer: Kids II, Inc. 2011

As part of the Kids II gear team, I oversaw these specific R&D concept projects.

I had the opportunity to develop unique, outside the box concepts for the company as well as the development of projects for production. This allow me to encounter multiple trips to China where I guided the manufacturers to accomplish the desired results in terms of aesthetics and quality control.  Developed concepts, scale models and prototypes of multiple infant products.

I established a collaboration Studio Class Sponsored by Kids II were 12 students developed concepts for the BrighStarts brand. This was the first ever collaboration between Kids II and the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Project: Zonda R Rendering.

My role: Transportation Design Coordinator.

Client: Pagani Automobili, 2006.

Transportation Design Coordinator, June 2006 - December 2006
San Cesario sul Panaro, Modena, Italy
Collaborative effort between Pagani Automobili and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
Manufacturing and assembly of the Zonda F supercar. Brand strategy and new product development for the Pagani brand. Strategic collaboration and design research for a new transportation design program at SCAD.  Mentored by Horacio Pagani in the development of high end products.

Project: Zonda R Rendering.

My role: Transportation Design Coordinator.

Client: Pagani Automobili, 2017

Transportation Design Coordinator, June 2006 - December 2006
San Cesario sul Panaro, Modena, Italy
Collaborative effort between Pagani Automobili and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
Manufacturing and assembly of the Zonda F supercar. Brand strategy and new product development for the Pagani brand. Strategic collaboration and design research for a new transportation design program at SCAD.  Mentored by Horacio Pagani in the development of high end products.

Project: Pagani Hi-Fi Stereo.

My role: Lead Designer.

Client: Pagani Automobili, 2006.

San Cesario sul Panaro, Modena, Italy. Direct collaboration with Horacio Pagani in the development of the concept and renderings for the Hi-Fi Pagani stereo.

Project: Functional Art, Developed in 2017.

My role: Lead Designer.  

Client: Portfolio Piece.

Aesthetically simple and elegant shapes. The design language describes the functionality of the product and at the same time works as an accent that enhances it. The product becomes functional art, making everyday a luxurious experience.

Project: Green Hive, Transportation Design Sponsored Class

My role: Faculty / Project Director

Client: Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) 2011

Eleven students were involved in this project. Our aim was to redesign the transportation network of SCAD’s Savannah community. By understanding both the urban planning that is uniquely Savannah's, as well as the unique experience of being a student at SCAD, our goal was to create a solution that enhanced the current system by providing alternate modes of transportation. The outcome of our 20-week long project was the development of 3 full-scale working prototypes that were showcased at the School of Design Graduation Exhibition in Spring 2011.

Project: High-end Cooler

My role: Industrial Design Director  

Client: SOVARO, 2015.

The concept revolved around an upscale cooler made from more eco-friendly materials. I developed a visual brand language that could easily be translated to a family of products and accessories.  

Project: Product Architecture.

My role: Lead Industrial. 

Client: T&S Brass 2014.

In this project, I developed a uniquely branded product architecture system for T&S Brass commercial faucet products. The goal of the new visual brand language was to provide easily recognizable identification of the T&S brand in the market and to provide a fresh, compelling aesthetic that underpins the brand and value perception.

Project: AX3 Scanner.

My role: Design Consultant.

Client: MotivaImage, 2015.

MotivaImagine came to me with the opportunity to redesign their 3D scanner for female aesthetic implants evaluation. The new proposed design uses biomimicry methodologies in order to create a softer, friendlier version of their current design. The center camera resembles an eye that sees and scans the patient.

Project: Sunscreen Applicator.

My role: Industrial Design Director.  

Client: MERCK Coppertone Brand, 2014.

This project was developed for MERCK's Coppertone brand. I had the opportunity to redesign and engineer a concept that was originally developed by IDEO.

The challenge was to overcome certain manufacturing constraints. My team redesigned the concept mechanically and aesthetically in order to make it more viable for mass production.

Project: Collapsible water bottle

My role: Industrial Design Director  

Client: Welly, 2014

The client came to us with the idea to create a collapsible water bottle and my team and I helped him visualize the concept. We created renderings and later prototypes to validate his initial assumptions.

Project: KJ Cart.

My role: Design Consultant.

Client: Kamado Joe, 2017.

Product development services and design of a cart for Kamado Classic and Big Joe grills.

Methodology of development:

Consideration of manufacturing processes and cost assessment techniques.

Alternative energy vending unit concept.

Project: Sketching Lab

My role: Co-Founder

Client: Participants interested in design, business and visual communications.

The Sketching Lab is a three-day intensive workshop to promote creativity through drawing, mind mapping, concept development and visual communication. We bring three incredible and inspiring designers to each year’s event and they share with us their sketching secrets. Spots at the event are limited because we want to maximize the one on one opportunities for participants to share with the guest designers.

The event is organized by Sketch Aerobics. The event was created by David Melendez, Mario Ramirez and myself.

Project: BetaJet T1.

My role: Design Consultant

Client: BetaJet, 2016.

Physical Interface design, aesthetic development of Visual Brand Language for BetaJet T1, the first ever desktop injection molding manufacturing systems.  Using thermosetting plastics to bring mass manufacturing into your office space.

Project: Medical Cart Handle Cover

My role: Industrial Design Director

Client: Howard Medical, 2014-2015.

Howard Medical, handle cover design for a medical cart. This creative engineering project allowed me and my team to closely collaborate with our internal engineering team in order to create a solution that improved previous design aesthetics. The new design met the criteria of improving functionality, improving aesthetic and ergonometric value while at the same time reducing the cost of the parts for our client.

Project: LIghted Insert.

My role: Industrial Design Director.  

Client: Hu-Friedy, 2013-2014.

The goal of the project was to develop an innovative, ergonomic and cost-efficient ultrasonic lighted insert for a dental instrument. It needed to be compatible with Hu-Friedy’s Cavitron, Parkell and Swerv-3 ultrasonic scalers and handpiece assemblies.

Project: Kyphoplasty tools.

My role: Industrial Design Director. 

Client: Kyphotek, 2014.

Using biomimicry to inspire the aesthetics of a functional tool. Kyphoplasty is the surgical filling of an injured or collapsed vertebra. This procedure restores the original shape and configuration and relieves the pain from spinal compression.

For this project, I redesigned a set of tools used in kyphoplasty procedures, the tools are disposable and made of PC+ABS material. 

Project: Changing Table and Stroller 

Client: KiKa

Design consultant for an engineering group located in Dongguan, China. I was in charge of creating the design direction for some of their new infant products. They were looking for a designer with experience in product development for the US market. 2012.

Project: SPRA VAC

My role: Industrial Design Director. 

Client: MERIAL Select, 2014

Aesthetic redesign of professional chicken vaccination equipment that it used in more than 10 different countries around the world.  

Concepts geared towards the mass market, intended for Lowes, Dollar Store.

Project:  On-Demand Steam Boilers

My role: Lead Industrial Designer. 

Client: MIURA, 2014

The challenge was to create a new and cutting-edge aesthetic for the housing of their LX300 On-Demand Steam Boilers as well as the corresponding control unit (MI Controller Cabinet).

Miura is headquartered in Japan and the current product aesthetic is designed with a scientific/laboratory look and feel which works well in their home market. However, Miura believes their product would be more approachable and accepted by the typical American operator and buying manager if the aesthetic was more rugged and powerful while not being too intimidating due or overly scientific look.

With this new design, Miura seeks to build a brand identity and comfort level which they anticipate will increase sales and a more rapid adoption of their technology over their competitor’s products here in the USA.

Project: Adjustable Standing Desk.

My role: Industrial Design Director.  

Client: LUXOR, 2014.

Luxor|H.Wilson company was interested in developing a next generation adjustable standing desk product. Current Luxor standing desk products consist of work surfaces that attach to adjustable desk stands. Consumers are migrating towards competitive products (Varidesk) that provide solutions which are placed on existing desks. The competitive units are shipped pre-assembled in a flat pack orientation. This allows the consumer to begin using the product right out of the box with no assembly required. Concept solutions of the next generation adjustable desk stand provided consideration for overall appearance, functionality and adjustability, ease of use/installation, material selections, safety, durability and unit costs

Project: Leaf Blower.

My role: Industrial Designer.  

Client: Husqvarna, 2004

Concept development and prototyping. 2004

Project: Helmet Suspension.

My role: Industrial Design Director.  

Client: ERB, 2015

In 2015 I had the opportunity to design a whole new suspension system for ERB, a safety helmet company.  This was a creative engineering challenge the required improvement on the aesthetics and navigating around existing patents to avoid any conflicts for the client.

Project: Freeman Air Compressor

Role:Industrial Design Director.

Client: Wenling Xinlei, 2015

The main goal of this project was to enhance the product’s aesthetics and improve how the user interacts with the product. During my time at Slingshot PDG, I lead our team in the development of a new air compressor that shares all the internal components as the gray air compressor that you see to the left.

Project: Fountainhead Sprayer Concept

Client: Fountainhead Group

Concept development and styling for a new bottle and cap shape as well as accessory holder. 2014

Project: Top Vent/ Heat Deflector

Client: Kamado Joe

Aesthetic development for a Kamado Joe top vent. The initial requirement from the client was to create a aesthetic as close as possible to a pagoda shape. Later in the development the vent was simplified into its final simple shape.

Project: Macchina Sportiva Ergo.

My role: Industrial Design Consultant.  

Client: Bruno Design, 2011.

Interior and seat design for the Ergo project in collaboration with Bruno Design. 2011 Modena, Italy   

Personal Project

The Knight for Pebble watch was developed as a way to enhance and protect the integrity of the smart watch. 2014