Miguel Angel Gonzalez Del Rio Portfolio
STATEMENT Welcome!! My name is Miguel Angel Gonzรกlez, I was born in Barcelona where I got a degree in Computer Science and a master on networks and telecommunications. Despite the fact of having a engineering background, I have been always interested in activities like drawing, painting, attending to photography workshops or reading about colour theory or design. After almost 20 years dealing with computers and developing my career in IT, I decided to take a new path and use my knowledge and experience as a tool in a more creative field. Industrial design allows me to use my background and logical thinking while developing interests that have been there for a long time, pushing me to improve my skills daily and challenging me to move beyond.
Miguel Angel Gonzalez Del Rio Barcelona, 1973 Degree Computer Science
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MSc. Networks & Telco.
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Employment Academics Other : Painting/3D/Photo
Maya Master Course
Watercolour, Painting, Photography
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Hairdryer
Grasshopper
Sandspreader
Vehicle Interior Design
Winter Bike
Work in progress Drawing Painting
3D
Photography
Converse Hairdryer
4 weeks. UID 2012 The aim of the project was to design a new model of hairdryer with a chosen brand image applied.
Form exploration Ideation sketches, exploring different shapes and proportions.
Converse design cues
Brand Integration
After deciding the final shape, the next task was to identify general patterns and distinctive signs used by the brand, and more precisely on the ‘All Star’ sneakers.
Brand integration sketches, using different colour combinations: Black & white colour lines, holes, star, patterns.
Modelling A rough model was produced in foam (PU 0.08), in order to validate the handle and the overall shape of the hairdryer.
The next step was to build a digital model in Rhino and apply the brand DNA.
Final concept The final result was a retro-look Converse hairdryer, with a very clear brand signature.
Grasshopper
2 weeks. UID 2012 The aim of the project was to find the essence of a grasshopper, develop the idea/form using sketching and then put the result into a grey clay model.
Exploration sketches The first step was to come up with a profile using just a few clean lines, trying to convey a sense of speed and aerodynamic anatomy.
Clay modelling Early stages of the model.
Final model The final concept conveys the idea of the grasshopper large and slim but yet with powerful back legs, as well as a dynamic body shape.
Sandspreader
4 weeks. UID 2012 The aim of the project was to design a new Gardena sand/salt/grit spreader, affordable and easy to use.
Key product parameters - Very ergonomic design, that is easy to handle and operate, and easy to understand for the customer. - Spread 3 different materials: salt, sand and grit. - Volume capacity between 1L and 1,5L. - Made of plastic with a maximum of 4 parts. - Operate it (spreading) with only one hand. - Easy to refill. - Lightweight yet robust. - Gardena Design DNA: Shape, Colours, Volumes. Chamfers as a surface connectors. Logo visibility and colour combinations.
Target Group / Scenario The target group is people between 30 and 70 years old, house owners who enjoy taking care of their properties.
The typical scenario: frozen surfaces next to the front door of the house or on the way to the mailbox.
Concept Ideation Lots of ideation sketches were produced, based on 4 different ideas and keeping in mind the key parameters defined in the brief.
Refilling
Spreading
Ergonomics A key part of the project was to get the best ergonomics when using the spreader, so ergonomic and anthropometric info was used when defining the models.
- Power grip w/ wrist torque (pronation & supination) - Angle of forearm + wrist and weight. - Avoid sharp edges and form fitting handles. - Handle long enough to distribute the weight over the palm and fingers: 100mm and 130mm + 10 mm w/ gloves. - Handle diameter: 30 and 45 mm. - Avoid glossy or highly polished surfaces.
Test models: Cardboard, Foam, Weight, 3D model The user feedback was very important to find out the best shape and position of the handle. Cardboard, foam models, weight models, 2d mock-ups, and 3D models were used during the user testing.
3d and foam modelling A foam model was built, in two separate pieces, the handle and the main container. The chosen colour combination was tested before on the 3D Maya model as well as some details like chamfers and the volume intersections, in order get the best results according to the Gardena design DNA.
The final model has a fully detachable lid (pressing the main lid’s orange button) that is also used as a shovel.
Model parts In order to improve handling without compromising the shape of the whole model, a little handle was attached to the shovel, moreover, it fits inside the main handle when the shovel/lid is attached to the main container.
4 positions dosage wheel
Shovel handle fits inside the main handle
Shovel as part as the container
Wide Spout
Shovel release button Extra grip marks
Flat surface allows putting the spreader in standing position
Final concept details
Long rounded handle w/ grip indentations for extra grip Primary volume hold functions
Secondary volume
Parallel stripes on the spout for better material spreading.
Suggested improvements
Stripes on the base part of the container, to use them as a stand as well as a decoration.
Levelling the two surfaces would make the shovel pop up out of the container.
Final product
Winter bike Work in progress
Are bikes made to be used in winter ?
Biking in the winter is tricky; the bike is exposed to snow and rain that often causes problems: blocked screws, frozen locks, slippery surfaces, rusty chain, short light battery life.
Scenario
Key goals - Reduce joints, moving parts, and exposed mechanisms to avoid water/snow contact. - Keep the main frame. - Lights get the energy from rotating parts. - Make the bike more visible for other vehicles. - Improve safety in case of slip.
Frame
The gear system is embedded inside the frame and the chain is replaced by an axis, which remains hidden and reduces the maintenance of the whole mechanism. The front light is embedded in a rounded inverted conical shape at the front of the handle bar. The light case is a low profile structure that barely pops out of the main handle bar column. The different gears can switched twisting the handle. The whole cabling and mechanism goes inside the frame.
Gear box & Lights
Two lateral led lights are installed on the sides of the pedals axis, getting the energy from the rotating movement. One of the pedals acts as a bike stand. A little switch on the pedal axis allow to unfold the pedal down. The tire profile is also improved by making the contact surface wider, providing more grip when raining or snowing.
Pedal & stand
Concept
Vehicle Interior Design
The aim of the project was to develop a vehicle interior focusing on autonomous vehicles .
Brand & Image Board As a starting point i picked a brand and develop an image board to get inspiration from. The chosen brand was the Spanish architect GaudĂ and Barcelona, and the images were chosen to convey how he played with light and
form to create exceptionally beautiful atmospheres. He developed a technique called Trencadis, based on putting together broken pieces of ceramic, achieving colourful and warm results that blend perfectly with the city of Barcelona.
Side and central table
Early vehicle exterior concept
Window lamps
Column lamps
side , front and arm seat
Ideation Many sketches were produced in order to explore forms , shapes but since the brand has a very strong image it was important not to overdue the concepts.
The goal is to end up with as many ideas as possible to be able to apply some character to the vehicle interior.
Car interior Layout
Concept refinement & 3D lighting testing The idea was to design an interior for a tourist rent car , for 7 or 8 people, allowing a big family to visit the city. Since that car is an autonomous vehicle, the only requirement is to enter the destination on the console, and then just enjoy
the city views in a comfortable an relaxing way. The car has big windows and a roof window as well, allowing the sun light to reach the interior at any moment, conveying the mood around the warm city of Barcelona.
Luxury Tourist Van
Drawing / Painting
The following drawings and paintings are a sample of different art created during different periods of time, either as a practice activity or while attending courses, using mainly pencil, charcoal, digital painting, watercolour and acrylic. Pencil and charcoal work are about human figure, while watercolours are focused on landscapes.
Charcoal . Life drawing course. UID 2012
Pencil sketch. Own work. 2012
Digital painting (Corel painter) Own work, 2010.
Watercolour painting sketches, Own work.
Watercolour and acrylic painting. Own work.
3D modelling
Maya modelling & rendering.
Maya modelling & rendering + Photoshop painting
Photography
These photos are mostly taken in my hometown, Barcelona, as well as Brazil and some other diverse places during the last 15 years.
Miguel Angel Gonzalez Del Rio +46 703070924 +34 627262583 magoderi@gmail.com
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