The Design Academy

GE Energy, Magic of Science and Empathy

jcgregor — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:38:17 +0000

Did we forget to mention the GE Health Care Optima Mobile X-Ray machine?

The Design Academy enjoyed the challenge of translating GEHC’s design values into real applications. Ever interested in taking the next step in a company’s design initiative, we excel at evolving concept into creation. We had the perfect opportunity when GEHC approached us with the Optima Mobile X-ray project.

Designed by Jon Polhamus, this top-selling Mobile X-ray and the FlashPad were created for the ease and versatility of the human experience. By recognizing an opportunity to further humanize the interaction between x-ray machine and- say, a little girl in ICU- GEHC and TDA created a distinctive addition to the healing ability of healthcare.

We developed three images that would subtly convey a human reflection within the nature of transparency. Using our Power of Collective Thought ™ Methodology, we partnered with our strategic partner Mierello Graphico to print an image that would humanize the experience as well as be durable enough to sustain bumping along a crowded hallway hundreds of times a week. Our most popular seller, the frog x-ray is pictured here, integrating the intuitive with the hands-on for a happy ending to our tale … unless, of course, there should be a sequel?

STAFF ADDITION

jcgregor — Wed, 02 May 2012 00:49:15 +0000

The Design Academy welcomes Charlie Cheowanich to our rapidly expanding team of leading designers. A mechanical engineer at heart, Charlie is passionate about the marriage of art and function that is design. With years of expertise in ideation, design documentation packaging, and prototyping we know our clients at Eastman and General Electric will value his expertise.

Charlie earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from California State University, where he excelled at 3-D modeling, surfacing exterior housing, as well as cast metal parts. The SolidWorks magician, Charlie is our CAD modeling specialist.

As Charlie worked with GadLight, Ewing Group, and Aspen Medical Products, his true talents emerged. Charlie is exceptional at making all of the pieces fit together. By translating theory into actuality, Charlie is just another example of the holistic experience here at The Design Academy.

Chuck Pelly on Changes and Challenges for Design

jcgregor — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:16:56 +0000

In an interview with Kristina Goodrich of Design’s Voice, Chuck Pelly discusses the changing world of design.

Magic of Science and Empathy

jcgregor — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:33:06 +0000

The Design Academy specializes in mentoring companies on design philosophy and brand user experiences. Together with our clients, we work to integrate design into their business objectives and company acumen. From the grand corporation to the start-up circle, collective design is at the forefront of TDA’s discussions.

In the following link, you can see Bob Schwarz from GE Healthcare, a strategic client with The Design Academy, will be speaking at the DMI conference about their Design Philosophy that is changing the face of General Electric.

http://www.dmi.org/dmi/html/conference/europe12/sp_schwartz.htm

Boys and Their Toys

jcgregor — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:13:43 +0000

Many of us here at The Design Academy have a special soft spot for vehicular velocity. From our designers to our founders, the need to design streamline speed has bridged the gap between racetrack and onramp, and taken us from New Zealand to Dubai.

Last week, at the ‘Big Boys’ Toys’ event in Dubai, UAE, a new superstar could be seen on the rise. While business takes us the UAE frequently, we were sad to miss this annual homage to the fast and fun. To find out more, click on the link and enjoy some ‘Kiwi Cool’ innovation as well as a quote from one of our founders, Chuck Pelly.

http://www.middleeastevents.com/site/pres_dtls.asp?pid=14963

PolyOne Design Storm

jcgregor — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 03:20:42 +0000

Part of the design world involves connecting the dots. Sometimes the dots are concepts in a sketch, and sometimes the points are people- organizations made for each other, although perhaps unbeknown to them. Here at The Design Academy, we’re a bit guilty of playing matchmaker. We knew PolyOne and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena were made for each other, and the highly successful Design Storm this February only encourages us to continue playing Cupid.

Under the direction of PolyOne, the symposium focused on reSound® bio-based polymer; environmentally unique and virtually limitless in its applications. With a student challenge to translate reSound® potential into home healthcare products, the environment was perfectly poised for creative collaboration.

This is what TDA lives for. A room full of talent, wizened veterans intermixing with the raw promise of untested brilliance… the transference of energy is electric. The ticking clock counting down to a winner only heightens the anticipation, and it seems in these scenarios that designers never miss an opportunity to improve their comedic timing. Chuck Pelly, founder of multiple world-renowned design consultancies, is no exception. With Scott Clear and Cheryl Pelly rounding out our team, TDA was charged with describing Collaborative Innovation, and the power of bringing breakthroughs to life through inspirations in home healthcare.

Together with Thogus, PolyOne, and the Art Center College of Design, TDA is excited to continue the progressive approach to holistic design for the functioning world.

STAFF ADDITION

jcgregor — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 03:18:17 +0000

Welcome to Cheryl!

The Design Academy welcomes Cheryl Pelly, our company’s branding guru and latest progressive thinker. Garnering multiple awards for design from Printing Industries of America, Communication Arts, Print, Red Dot, How, iF, and Good Design, Cheryl has extensive experience with the Fortune 500 corporate milieu.

Cheryl obtained her BFA from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, and has continued as an adjunct with ACCD, instructing Packaging 2 and 3, as well Advanced Independent Studies in Environmental & Branding Design.

More significantly, however, Cheryl Pelly brings the art of human application to product design. Navigating the walls between man’s subconscious recognition of brand, color, and creative voice, Cheryl ‘digs deep’ into the user experience. From subtle touches of design ideations to sweeping concepts, Cheryl has encapsulated the world of shade, texture, and direction with companies such as BMW Group DesignWorks USA, Motorola, Nokia, Whirlpool, and HP.

STAFF ADDITION

jcgregor — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:00:46 +0000

Welcome Nouphone Bansasine!

The Design Academy is excited to add Nouphone Bansasine to our list of experienced designers who balance excellence and evolution. With over a decade of experience, Nouphone brings a special blend of industrial design, automotive prowess, mechanical engineering, and lithe sketch work to our studio.

Nouphone earned his B.S. in Transportation Design from the Art Center of Design in Pasadena after completing his B.F. degree from the Design Institute of San Diego. In between classes, Mr. Bansasine streamlined his designs with LG, Philips, AST, SEGA, Fujitsu, Factory Five, and One Industries.

Throughout his career, Nouphone has developed projects dedicated to the art of forward momentum. From designing the next generation of vision with Oakley to honing the microscopic musculature of the human physique at Hoist Fitness Systems, Nouphone is an expert of collective balance. Passionate about details, Nouphone has worked with Aero Seating Technology as a contractor. Dedicated to the project as a whole, he also excelled in his years with Volvo. Feel the urge to view a particularly wicked guilty pleasure? Search for his sleek minx of the Volvo SC90. Guaranteed to send an appreciative chill down your spine, it is one of many conceptual epiphanies this designer has already left behind, pursuing the next phase of progressive motion.

Design Los Angeles, November 17, 2011

jcgregor — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:51:50 +0000

And The Design Challenge Winner is

Smart 341 Parkour

“This year’s theme presented these designers with creative challenges like never before. Not only were studios tasked with designing a futuristic Hollywood vehicle, but also the complex plots within which they starred. The Smart 341 Parkour captured the essence of the Design Challenge by combining innovation and functionality with an adventurous plot.” Chuck Pelly

Please read the article in PR Newswire.

We would like to thank all the Studios which participated in the Design Challenge this year:

Honda Research and Development Americas, Inc. - Honda IH (intelligent horse)
Hyundai Design North America - Hyundai Stratus Sprinter, DB Atlant (Airship)
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc.: Advanced Design Center California – Mercedes -Benz Silver Arrow
Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Germany – Smart 341 Parkour
Mercedes-Benz Interior Design Studio, Germany - Maybach Berline
Subaru Design Tokyo Studio – Subaru HORIZON

Please refer to The Hollywood’s Hottest New Movie Car Studios Presentations.

We also would like to thank all the sponsors:

Bose, one of the largest and best-known audio technology developers and product manufacturers in the world. Bose has a heritage of research and innovation, and has produced inventions that have improved for instance the performance of Automotive sound systems.
Dassault Systèmes which develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance to recycling. Its customers include companies in aerospace, automotive, construction, consumer goods, consumer packaged goods, energy, high-tech, industrial equipment, life sciences, shipbuilding and services industries.
Faurecia which designs, manufactures and sells automotive equipment. under four major segments, Automotive seating, Vehicle Interiors, Exhaust systems and Front end.
Inda , a trade association representing the nonwoven fabrics industry since 1968. Throughout the year, their conferences and action-oriented committees bring industry professionals together to explore the most pressing trends and issues in the areas of government relations, technology, marketing and international commerce.
RTT, a producer of creative and fascinating 3D visualization solutions and services for automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and apparel. Since last year, RTT has joined their forces with Bunkspeed to bring forth new technologies catering to all areas of design, engineering, marketing, and sales. Producer of design software for automotive, aircraft and consumer goods applications.
Yokohama which main focus is tires for passenger car, truck, bus, mining and construction equipment, and aircraft markets worldwide.

Thank you to all of you who participated and/or attended. We look forward to welcoming more Studios to The Design Challenge next year.

L.A. Auto Show, Press Days November 16-17 & Public Days November 18-27, 2011 – Design Los Angeles on November 17, 2011

jcgregor — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:51:43 +0000

The Design Academy will be at The L.A. Auto Show on November 16 and 17 for the Press Days. Chuck Pelly and Joan Gregor will be hosting The Design Challenge “Hollywood’s Hottest New Movie Car” on November 17. Please see The Design Los Angeles Program.

The Studios participating this year are:

Please read the related articles: LA Auto Show, Wired, New York Times and also IMotor Trend, NBC, Automobile, Car Advice, Car Design News, Motor Authority, World Car Fans, PSFK, Design Crave, Inhabitat, Sportwagen Und Tuning, Auto Zeitung, Auto Blog Greece, Stuff.

The judges are:

• Tom Matano, Director, Industrial Design, Academy of Art University
• Stewart Reed, Chair, Transportation Design, Art Center College of Design
• Jay Shuster, Art Director at Pixar Animation Studios
• Mark West, Transportation Chair, Detroit’s College for Creative Studies

The winner of The Design Challenge will be announced during The Designer’s Night Party.