Joe Rosewicz is an industrial designer currently based out of Los Angeles. Some of his previous projects include developing furniture, outdoor gear, construction equipment, camper vans, and washroom products. Through working on these teams he has worn many hats from concept design and direction to manufacturing and team management. Joe works full time as the Design and R+D Lead at The Splash Lab. Outside of his full time job, he enjoys collaborating with clients to create new innovative products through his design consultancy.
Joe Rosewicz
Website | LinkedIn | The Splash Lab
Modeling software used: Fusion 360, Solidworks, 3ds Max, Rhino
How did you get into design?
My parents and my grandfather both came from a design and engineering background; they have always been an inspiration to me. Being involved in FIRST robotics in high school furthered my interest in engineering and manufacturing. I have always enjoyed sketching, ceramics, and art. With an interest in art and engineering, pursuing a degree in industrial design felt natural.
What are some of your favorite projects?
Working with the team at DMVans designing the “Lifestyle Vehicle” camper van was one of my favorite experiences. What was interesting was that mobile living spaces aren’t just products, and they also aren’t just interiors either. Limited space and the need for a high level of functionality created a fascinating design challenge. People live in these spaces and travel the world creating new memories. This meant that the product experience and our end user were fundamental for this project. We saw the camper van as a symbol of personal freedom and a tool for adventure.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
To me, product design at its core is about understanding people. In doing so, creating a new experience, solving a problem, or improving someone’s day-to-day routine. Often good design comes from finding the right perspective and keeping sight of a clear goal.
Where in your process do you use KeyShot?
Most of the time I am using KeyShot for final visualization, to get as close as possible to the real thing. It helps me to understand what materials will look best together before spending time and money ordering product samples. It’s also a great tool at the beginning of my process. Sometimes it is helpful to get something out in space and play around with it early on. Squishing or elongating an initial assembly with some CMF on it can sometimes inspire me into new directions.
What are some of your favorite KeyShot tools, tips, or tricks?
As you can see in some of my imagery, I frequently utilize Depth-of-field. Not only does it help make an image seem more photographic, it also helps show the viewer where to focus without removing too much context. Additionally, being able to pull in simple geometries from inside of KeyShot can be a huge time saver. This can be effective when needing to make simple adjustments or to test an idea quickly without importing a whole new model.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I am obsessed with how things work, how they are made, and curious about the design decisions behind them. Over time I have built a subconscious habit of picking up random objects and deconstructing them. Yeah, I’m that guy at the store flipping chairs over to see how the legs are installed.
What advice would you give to someone interested in doing what you do?
The digital age makes it easy to get stuck behind a desk. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Go to the IDSA Events, portfolio reviews and meet ups. Ask questions, show people your work. Critical feedback is usually the best kind of feedback. Having people around you that inspire you will help you grow!
