Auburn University's School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) hosted the first Kaleidoscope: Auburn Design Show Under the stellar leadership of Wei Wang, Professor & Head, SIGD. The event was curated by the faculty, and a panel of 26 design professionals evaluated student work. This exhibition showcased projects across a comprehensive range of skills, from beginners to advanced learners in both the Graphic and Industrial Design programs. The ROBRADY team was right in the mix, proud to sponsor the event and host inspiring design demos. A big shout out to Wei Wang for orchestrating such a remarkable event and for extending an invitation to our team to participate on campus.
Experience the Kaleidoscope Online Exhibition Here
ROBRADY's CEO and Design Director, Rob Brady, arrived on campus with his team—senior Industrial Designers Erik Holmen and Matt Vergin. Erik’s son, Myles, joined them to tour the campus and check out the Auburn Industrial Design program. The creative energy at the show was infectious, and the team was blown away by the range of student projects on display.
ROBRADY's commitment to supporting the next generation of design rockstars was on full display. Rob, Erik, and Matt led interactive sessions that took students on deep dives into the worlds of transportation design and wearable exoskeleton development.
Buckle Up for Transportation Design with Erik
Erik peeled back the curtain on ROBRADY's high-octane transportation design process, showing students how designers need to:
- Master the Art of Fusion: Seamlessly integrate powerhouse tools like Rhino 3D modeling software with Procreate for lightning-fast sketch overlays.
- Think Like a Maker: Build manufacturing considerations into the design process from the very beginning.
- Refine Like a Pro: Blend ergonomics, concept modeling, and photorealistic rendering for a design journey that flows like a dream.
Matt Puts the "Wear" in Wearable Exoskeletons
Matt focused on the human-centered approach to designing wearable exoskeletons, guiding students through:
- Precision 3D Modeling: Mastering the art of creating models with perfect proportions and flawless part alignment.
- Procreate Power-Ups: Leverage Procreate to refine sketches with speed and clarity.
- Structured UX Sketches: Craft detailed UX sketches that communicate technical concepts with ease.
The students peppered the ROBRADY team with questions and were eager to learn more about industry tools like Rhino and Procreate. ROBRADY, in turn, encouraged them to hone their skills, chase internship opportunities, and build connections within the design world.
ROBRADY remains dedicated to mentoring future design leaders through events like this, fostering partnerships that will shape the exciting design landscape.
About the ROBRADY Industrial Design Team
Rob Brady
CEO and Design Director of ROBRADY design
Rob Brady serves as the CEO and Design Director of ROBRADY design + production + capital. After attending the school of Industrial Design at Auburn University, he went on to graduate from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Rob brings over thirty years of experience in innovative product design across multiple sectors, including robotics, marine, medical, military, industrial, consumer, transportation and powersports. His commitment to design thinking has resulted in 40+ granted patents and numerous award-winning products.
Under his leadership, ROBRADY seamlessly integrates strategic planning with a keen focus on client needs, leading to the development and launch of groundbreaking solutions that disrupt markets and enhance global quality of life. Actively involved in the day-to-day design process, Rob significantly increases enterprise value for clients and partners through the delivery of innovative product design with the creation of market-differentiating technology and valuable intellectual property.
Matt Vergin
Senior Industrial Designer at ROBRADY
Matt Vergin is a Senior Industrial Designer at ROBRADY with an educational background from the College for Creative Studies and extensive professional experience. After four years as a designer at Electrolux Major Appliances in North Carolina, he joined ROBRADY, where he has worked for 10+ years creating over 100 products, earning several awards and patents. Working alongside a team of designers and engineers his work ranges from medical devices to performance scooters, giving him a high level of experience in many different markets.
In his design work, Matt emphasizes the importance of creating a solid user-experience that enhances the lives of consumers by eliminating pain points and taking into account their unmet needs. Beyond his professional life, Matt unwinds through painting, camping, and backpacking in the many mountain ranges of Florida (or out West). His commitment to finding creative ways to make the lives of users more enjoyable makes him an important figure in the world of product design.
Erik Holmen
Senior Industrial Designer at ROBRADY
Erik Holmen is an accomplished Senior Industrial Designer at ROBRADY with a specialized focus on transportation design. A 2003 graduate from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Erik has dedicated over two decades to ROBRADY design, where he has been instrumental in developing a wide range of consumer, industrial, and medical products. His design authority particularly excels in the powersports and marine sectors, showcasing a deep understanding of transportation design dynamics.
Throughout his career, Erik has mastered a variety of design tools to bring his innovative concepts to life. He predominantly utilizes Rhino along with V-ray for his 3D modeling work, ensuring high precision and realism in his designs. For 2D development, Erik turns to Procreate and Corel Painter, tools that allow him to refine and visualize ideas with great agility and artistic control.
Erik's long-standing commitment to ROBRADY and his profound impact on the transportation design industry underscore his significant contributions to the design field.