DESIGNOVA

New images of 212' Yacht Design

2012-01-30T18:10:00.002-05:00

ellipsis ...

2012-01-25T13:20:00.002-05:00

2011-08-22T08:58:00.001-04:00

Working on a new yacht design that will someday be one of the most recognizable yachts in the world. Ask me about it someday. :)

Anyone going to be in Monaco for the Yacht Show next month?

Checking in...

2011-03-25T10:42:00.003-04:00

Hello World.

Working on some new developments. Hope to have some photographic evidence soon. Stay tuned.

----------------------------

evidence:

Inspiration: TRON Legacy

2011-01-10T11:07:00.003-05:00

Thank you Daniel Simon for all you do for the rest of us out here designing for the "real world".

TRON was a trip into some designer nirvana.

MAJOR KUDOS: Terra Nova Board Co.: EXCITING NEWS!

2010-12-10T03:09:00.008-05:00

Check these guys out, and keep tabs on them! My brother and team are launching out with an exciting start:

Terra Nova Board Co.: EXCITING NEWS!: "We just shipped our first board today! The project itself is still top secret though (at least for now) Stay tuned for the unveiling folks! ..."

Terra Nova Board Co TWITTER

Superyacht Design Summit clip

2010-11-18T07:59:00.005-05:00

ScreenCap from the video... fun- they edited me strangely though. "has been not only answered questions..." Engrish anyone? Great time though, really.

Video here: http://www.superyachtevents.com/sds/sds2010/glass/SDSHome.asp?tab=

My First Big Boat Design...

2010-10-15T11:00:00.001-04:00

This was my very first project designing here in Europe. Not a bad way to start!

Splinter . . .

2010-10-04T06:15:00.001-04:00

Kudos: Set/Concept Design: "Ghost Writer" House

2010-06-08T06:37:00.004-04:00

Amazing house exterior and especially interior design and set dressing, etc. to bring out a very masculine, contemporary feel, without feeling cold and harsh. Nice work, excellent and sleek production design, courtesy Albrecht Konrad, and the modernist monochromatic set decoration, by Bernhard Henrich, with art direction by David Scheunemann. Even small details were well thought through- down to the orange VitaminWater in front of Ewan McGregor in this screenshot, which I happen to know is difficult to find in Europe, where they had to shoot, as Martha's Vineyard due to the drama surrounding the director. The film's mis en scene (mood, look, feel) will certainly inspire some future work from me. Well done. Good work from the cast too...

SuperYacht Design Q.2 Piece

2010-04-06T05:29:00.006-04:00

Sketch VS Digital Piece in Q.2 of "Superyacht Design. Thanks to Justin Ratcliffe for the opportunity to have a voice in this piece, and showing some of my work besides. :)

Other Worldly Yacht- Vaughan Ling

2010-01-29T04:53:00.006-05:00

Vaughan Ling has just wrapped up his CCS yacht design project, and I think this is one of the most exciting designs I have seen over the last year. Kudos to Vaughan, and keep this up! Beautiful.

Vaughan says: "The boat is inspired by ancient Greek customs, architecture, design and mainly Archimedes and his invention of the mirror array. The mirrors on the canopy of the boat focus onto a receiver on the mast and generate heat>steam>turbine>

electricity+heat.

Best wishes,

Vaughan"

New Minute Man Renders

2009-10-29T05:52:00.004-04:00

Done a few new renders, now that I have my computer here in Europe...

CDesign Player Update

2009-10-27T05:09:00.005-04:00

I have recently been contacted by a publisher in France, called OLO Editions, interested in using my CDesign Player in an upcoming future tech/high design book to be printed and launched Spring 2010! I am excited to be included, and look forward to seeing the book, called "Crazy Tech". This picture is a preview of what will be featured in the book.

Here is what my Parisian contact sent me:

"We are narrowing our list to what we consider as being the best of the best. In this logic, we would very much like to feature "CDesign CD Player" in our final selection."

Mercí guys, (and Claire) and keep up the good work!

2009-10-26T08:42:00.001-04:00

Went to the Design Management Awards for all of Europe last week... just went by the site, and was surprised to find a picture of me on the final awards page! Heh. I am amused by the look on my face... trying to ignore the photographer in my face... Here is the page:

DME

. m u i r a .

2009-08-17T08:17:00.003-04:00

This was such a great design. . . my take on her profile, in homage . . .

WATCH THIS.

2009-08-16T14:05:00.011-04:00

Confession: I am a watch-o-phile. Or whatever you call it. The word defined by: Loves watches. Above is one of my designs (see if you can understand the function), that I hope to see produced in limited quantity in the near future, and meanwhile, here is a sampling on my radar and wrist:

Luminox EVO 3055:

Graham London: SWORDFISH

Spot the link? Just wore the 3055 through multiple airports and over the Atlantic- no worries thru security- the case is polymer and carbon, and doesn't set off any alarms. Nice. Easy. Sharp. Also have been enjoying my Swiss made Certina Podium DS:

Official timepiece of BMW's F1 team.

Okay- here's NEWS:

2009-06-16T03:32:00.003-04:00

I am designing yachts in the Netherlands! I am with a wonderful team of top talent here. I will share more as I am able. Stay tuned!

New Winter Custom Yachts Material! (and a coming surprise)

2009-05-18T00:53:00.007-04:00

See the new gallery featuring my Designova Stryker 27 Concept- now live at www.wintercustomyachts.com! (you can also see my redesign of Winter's logo, as above, throughout the site).

........BIG design news coming from me soon, so stay tuned!.........

...another few rough quick sketches...

2009-03-31T01:43:00.010-04:00

Hello- only time for quick rough sketches right now... hope you enjoy. Cheers!

Hello World!

2009-03-11T03:47:00.002-04:00

Omega Architects...

2009-03-08T00:23:00.009-05:00

Fan of some of the best lines cutting the seas, pixels, and drawing boards? Look at what is coming from Omega Architects. Classy design, while still innovative. Kudos.

Designova Yachts Horizon+Stryker

2009-03-03T18:06:00.007-05:00

New MM2 Ideas.

2009-03-03T03:03:00.003-05:00

Some later MinuteMan ideation:
I'm working some of these up, and you may even get to see some in fully realized form eventually. This is just a snapshot for you.

Car Movie. Cool. Check out.

2009-03-03T00:32:00.003-05:00

Like cars? Ever loved one? This is going to be a great film- I just know it. Despite Dr. Phil. Click on the picture to see the trailer. Or HERE.

Semi Sketch...

2009-03-02T14:32:00.004-05:00

Initial idea for a commercial truck design competition entry.

Sketch.

2009-02-28T02:10:00.004-05:00

Hybrid Render Process

2009-02-25T16:47:00.009-05:00

A quick shot at rendering process:

Still learning! This is analog to digital- a hybridized process. Thanks much to Alan Macey for the conversation, and the inspiration! Check his work out!

Late Night Fun...

2009-02-21T03:06:00.003-05:00

Winter Custom Yachts PWRSki 27' Early Concept

2009-02-19T11:48:00.007-05:00

New sport concept for Winter Yachts- These are some of the very first ideas being kicked around. We'll see if this is at all recognizable in the final design... Please share your thoughts with me on it so far. Thanks!

Concept Design, and Update...

2009-02-17T14:25:00.003-05:00

Did this sketch for a game concept I am working on- I like the way he turned out.

I am designing with Winter Custom Yachts frequently now, and really enjoying the partnership. Check out this video we went out to the OBX to shoot:

We shot this on a cold crisp day, departing Wrightsville Yacht Club, and pushing this 60' sport yacht to her limit for the next hour, while being chased by a shiny black helicopter (with the camera crew aboard). Fun like you wouldn't believe, with 3,100 hp on tap- you could really feel it. This boat is currently on sale for $2.5m- if you or anyone you know is looking for one of the best sportfishers in the water, at a steal (believe it or not), this is your boat.

Industrial Design PORTFOLIO REVIEW tips, pointers.....

2009-02-13T17:30:00.004-05:00

Just finished an email to an aspiring applicant to the NCSU Industrial Design program who is looking for direction in his Portfolio Presentation during the Review Process. I thought about it, and figured I'd try and make this available to others who happen by, since I have really put some thought to it. Here is what I shared with him:

Needs for I.D. Portfolio Review:

1. Have a Passion.
Be prepared to tell your story, and to tell the story of any and every piece in your portfolio. If asked by a reviewer "why did you include this in what you are showing me?" be ready with a reason that is not BS- they'll spot that real fast. Having a passion, and actually enjoying what you do and have done is the single most important factor. Enjoy, and express that to whomever you speak with or present to.

2. Show your Process.
Process is another essential key here. By showing that you have the capacity to work through problems, and come up with solutions, the reviewer can see that even if your work is not top-notch stuff, you do have the structure in place to achieve the kind of work that they will eventually look for from you once you are accepted. The best way to show this, I think, is to have a sketchbook or two on hand, full of sketches, especially sketches that pertain to some sort of problem solving, and ideally sketches that pertain to a project that you followed through with to some sort of completion, even if that completion is just a basic prototype model of what you have sketched. This element too is all about the "Story" you are telling the reviewer, and that story should fit into the larger story of your passion for design, and for life. If you do not have this element strongly in your portfolio, never fear- you can always go back and do additional sketches for already completed projects- this is not falsifying your process, but simply "narrating" it some for the outside observer. You can in effect "re-enact" the process of problem solving that went on in your head, so that the viewer has hard evidence of the structure of your process. As one of my earliest design instructors told me, "the viewer is an idiot". This is a blunt and humorous way of showing just how important it is to walk your audience along with you in just what they are seeing. You can always dial back if they say "okay, I get it", but if they get lost, it is a much more difficult and awkward job to re-walk through the elements you just went over. Get a sketchbook. Fill it up- sketch new ideas for anything you see around you- from a trashcan to an entire kitchen. Everything is fair game. I walked a hopeful applicant through this very process who was more of a photographer than a designer, and had him just sketch and sketch- he is now thriving in an ID program, and has emphasized to me how essential having those sketches was.

3. Have some 3D elements to your portfolio.
This is important, but is also important to not overdo. You need most of all here to show that you can think in a three dimensional way. You can do that some by doing sketches in perspective view, but it is better to have a relatively clean model or sculpture displaying both understanding of 3D, technical ability and understanding, and quality of craft. Done properly, you can do this kind of thing using popsicle sticks and twine- make a new chair design, a suspension bridge idea, or just pick out something you could build easily from your sketchbook. Perhaps you already have a lot of 3D work- if so, select only two or three that you feel are the best examples of clean construction, good technical execution, good design, and have purpose beyond just being a fine art piece. I personally would make the 3D pieces visible, but don't lead in with them in your presentation- let the reviewer get curious about what you have, before you present it.

4. You're telling a story, so use story arc:
1.Opening 2.Climax 3.Resolution. It has been scientifically shown that we humans always remember best the beginning and endings of what we experience- whether it be books, movies, vacations, etc. That said, you should save what you believe to be your strongest work to either introduce yourself, or for your grand finale. Obviously, it should all be strong- don't bring work unless you feel it is a good showing of your skillset at its best, or at least coming from one of your better days. Once you have established the structure of your presentation, do it a couple of times for friends or family, so that you can walk through it naturally. You want to be relaxed as you can- you also need to be flexible enough so that if a reviewer points at different sketch or piece than the one you intended to show next and asks about it, you can juggle your presentation to fit the desires of the reviewer- the customer is (almost) always right! That said, keep your key elements out of sight if you are saving them for later- especially if it is your final project to present, etc. You don't want any "spoilers" out for them to see. A progression I would suggest would be to begin with something that sparks conversation, such as the all important sketchbook- then walk through the rest in any order you want, but save your best and most complete project for last. It works especially well if your sketchbook includes a few sketches of what your final presented project will be- tying in your ending with the beginning creates a unified "feel" for the reviewer to take away- and YOU get to decide what that 'FEEL" is!

5. Sculpt your "Fit + Finish". Many people feel that everything they present should be presentable in impeccably framed and presented condition- though achieving that is not a BAD thing, you don't need to have your work all displayed in a spotless manner. Rough edges can actually be helpful in sparking conversation, and showing your talent "in the raw". I have found that it is good to have a few well presented "fine art" style pieces, such as still life sketches, school art projects mounted in a frame, etc. but that having those pieces is basically just getting a box checked for your content, and will not usually be the focus of the conversation. It is important, but in my experience will come closer to being "filler content" than anything else you bring.

6. Focus your conversation. Know what and who Industrial Design is. You don't need to toot your own knowledge horn, but you need to be comfortable as you can be in the lingo- the communication styles and subject matter. A little time on Wikipedia and Google can round you out here. Know a few of the bigger current news pieces in ID, whether it's Apple's latest product unveiling, or a new style of guitar or car that is making waves in the design world. Find things that inspire YOU, not things just to cater to your host- you simply want to be an educated candidate, not pandering to the reviewer.

7. Have FUN!!! If you are enjoying what you are presenting, you'll have them looking through your rose colored glasses in no time, regardless of content. Granted, you need to guage where the reviewer seems to be coming from, but if you stay bright about stuff, chances are they will too, and will be left with a favorable impression of you.... so get out there and have fun!

Hope that this is helpful to you, whether you are aspiring or experienced, I believe that many of these factors hold true in any design presentation, and are worth consideration.

Teaming with Local Motors...

2009-02-04T03:09:00.003-05:00

Hello all! Just a quick entry here to share about a guest posting I did for Local Motors' upcoming North Carolina Car Design Competition...

Check it out!

jason phillips design- kudo 3

2009-01-14T15:02:00.005-05:00

Jason Phillips Design is a new venture from a fellow North Carolina designer, based out of High Point, NC. Jason ran into my work on Coroflot.com, contacted me, and I have since been inspired by his standout work, and am planning some future collaboration. I'll be taking a trip out to his studios and showroom next week- I'll take the sketchbook, and share the results here! In the meantime, please take a moment to see some of Jason's work here, at Jason Phillips Design.

Our meeting went well, and we've begun some brainstorming and collaboration. Here's a sample sketch from some of my effort so far:

The MinuteMan Concept

2008-12-11T16:30:00.010-05:00

Here it is! This is The MinuteMan Concept, my entry into the Local Motors Boston Design competition. Please come by, and if perchance you are a Local Motors member, your vote would be highly appreciated! The voting is up on Dec. 16th, when I will actually be in Europe. None the less, here's hoping, and either way, I hope YOU enjoy the design. I have already been contacted by Tuvie.com for permission to do a feature on the design. Check them out, they have some great content to offer, Here is the post about my design.

UPDATE: Local Motors has done a post on their LM:Life Blog to get some buzz for the Boston competition... Check it out!

Posts for MinuteMan Concept:
VHXN.com
AutoMotto

Aston Sketch

2008-11-19T15:30:00.006-05:00

Just finished some tweaks on this sketch, and thought I'd share the before and after.

Notify NavSystem

2008-11-19T13:11:00.008-05:00

The Notify NavSystem is created for bikers and motorcyclists, and is aimed at delivering navigational capabilities in usable form to the common rider and contributing to their safety. Here are some early sketches for the project. Can you spot a special sketch in this collection?

Project: In development of this project, an entry for an international design competition, research showed that the need was for a bare-bones, audio-based system, so as not to distract the rider. Oakley was chosen as the speculative brand for the project, as they have launched a couple of the first eyewear-integrated electronic products (Mp3 player, and Bluetooth headset) on the market, and gave an aesthetic direction to the project.

System: Directions are uploaded into a USB watch component, and audio instructions and directions are fed to the glasses' ear pods via Bluetooth technology.The USB case on the watch is also detachable from the band, allowing it to be mounted directly to the fork crown or handlebars on the bike or motorcycle, easing operation with one hand. The system uses A-GPS, which is a triangulation based, simple locator technology. A-GPS reduces the amount of hardware required, by offloading most of the processing onto a remote assistance server, and is the same technology used by 911 to determine location in calls from mobile phones, and so can also be used in locating a stranded or lost rider.This is a pure, basic system, aimed at easing navigation on and off the road, and keeping riders safer!

See other articles about my design here:
THE DESIGN BLOG
GADGETS BLOG
TREND UPDATES

Coming "NOTIFY" Project.

2008-10-12T23:23:00.003-04:00

I'll be writing a post about this project soon. Til then, check it out here! Also doing some sketchings...

Restaurant Design/Image

2008-10-08T13:25:00.001-04:00

Starting a new project, developing and designing for a new restaurant that has drive and vision. I'll be responsible for the look and feel of the building, logo, and brand image. It will be contemporary fast food, simple approach, with a bold presence. Hope to share some sketches with you soon.

Also putting finishing touches on the logo for a new dance company on the east coast. Here's one iteration, close to the final:

Early Renderings For Winter Yachts

2008-10-06T15:36:00.001-04:00

As I mentioned earlier, here are some renderings for Winter Custom Yachts:

I got these renders approved, and hopefully I can share more in future. I'm working on interior concepts for projects that are on the boards, along with a few others, and they should definitely be worth a look.

SPHAN!

2008-09-25T01:36:00.000-04:00

See if you can figure this one out. I just threw it together, and I'll put a better representation up later.

New Work: Winter Custom Yachts

2008-09-24T01:57:00.001-04:00

62' Galot 3

Good evening. Just a quick note here- I am going to be working with Winter Custom Yachts some in the next few months, so hopefully I will have some new and exciting material to share in the next while. In the meantime, check them out! This is a passionate company with vision.

K.U.D.O.S. take 2: Ross Lovegrove

2008-09-22T12:41:00.000-04:00

Lovegrove is a master of capturing the beauties inherent in nature, and snaring that beauty into the curved forms and shapes of his designs. I highly recommend Supernatural, the book chronicling his journey and process. When I look for inspiration, I often look to his work, or listen to his take on his approach to good design. Please take a minute and check out what this guy has going on. I doubt you'll regret it.

See+Design.

2008-09-17T20:31:00.003-04:00

This is a product I have dubbed "CDesign." A slight play on "See+Design". Collaborated with a some electrical engineers at NCSU in Raleigh, NC to reverse engineer some portable CD players, and then turn and back up into a finished product on the other end, with a different level of functional understanding at our fingertips. Many wanted to create an indestructible CD player, but my mind was that Mp3 players have already conquered that arena, and if my design was to be relevant, I needed to come at the player sideways a bit. In order to achieve relevancy some distance into the future, I mixed some of the past and some of the future into what is a fading technology.

In doing a "stripped" CD player, I reached back to the classic turntables of a Golden Era of music for its function, and forward to a Star Wars final fit, form, and polish. My hope was to convey it as an intriguing piece of dynamic, sparkling, aural sculpture, seen on Mahogany desks in private libraries, and also sitting in its own corner in Moby's minimalist living room. I hope to refine this idea someday, and see it realized by a company that truly knows sound, so the CDesign will truly be worth having.

k.u.d.o.s. take 1

2008-09-17T20:31:00.000-04:00

Shout out to some of the coolest and simplest designs from an I.D. brain in the last decade or so. Check them out. They have one of the coolest studio locations too- right on the Thames in London in the OXO Tower. Here is their "Propello":

Swoosh, The Chair.

2008-09-17T13:26:00.001-04:00

Been working on a few renderings for this one today. This is one of my freelance projects, working with local custom furniture people to get some samples made. I have a few small scale prototypes finished, and I will add some photos of those to this post soon.

The design came of a day in the studio, joking with some other designers about using some scrap re-bar from another project. I claimed I could make it into "beautiful furniture", and one of the guys dared me to do so. This is one of the better results of my musings on it. I look forward to winning that dare. [More Swoosh]

Greetings...

2008-09-16T18:14:00.000-04:00

Good day! Welcome. I have elected to begin a "design blog" So as to vent my design thoughts, share MY designs, other designs that catch my eye, and hopefully open the door to some meaningful dialog and just perhaps, some inspiration. I will keep this as up to date as possible, and will always welcome questions, comments, and conversation. Thank you for visiting, and I hope you enjoy.

(above is a shiny version of my speculative "open" format yacht, the Horizon)