[Industrial design]
Tangible designs that solved real needs and shaped my user centered vision
[UX / Ergonomics / Physical prototyping]
Physical designs that solved real needs and shaped my thinking as an experience designer
Creation of functional and aesthetic products that connect with people on a tangible level.
[Summary]
As an industrial designer, I developed a series of projects focused on solving everyday problems through user-centered design, exploring materials, ergonomics, and human behavior.
Each product, from modular furniture to wireless lighting, was conceived as an opportunity to understand the relationship between form, function, and emotion, laying the foundation for my current UX mindset.
The goal was always the same: to design objects that would improve the everyday experience, integrating usability, aesthetics, and purpose.
[Areas of opportunity]
People interact with physical objects in the same way as they do with digital products, seeking ease, comfort, and emotional connection. However, many products on the market do not consider these human variables and focus solely on aesthetics. My challenge was to design solutions that transcended aesthetics to offer complete, adaptable, functional, and emotionally relevant experiences. This allowed me to understand that empathy, iteration, and user observation are universal principles of good design, regardless of the context.
[Focus area]
UX
Ergonomics
Sustainable materials
Physical prototyping
[My role]
Industrial Designer
Product Designer
User Researcher
Prototyping
[Tools and methods]
3D modeling
Hand sketching
Physical layout
Pruebas de uso
Ergonomic analysis
[Project duration]
January 2015 - October 2019
Designing for people beyond the screen means understanding how they think, feel, and inhabit the world.
My training as an industrial design engineer taught me that all great design begins by observing people, their environments, and their behaviors. That same mindset accompanies me today in digital design, where I transform empathy, functionality, and aesthetics into user-center experiences.
Designing from the tangible showed me that every physical detail can tell a story of experience.
Before designing digital products, I learned to observe how people interact with the physical world. Every industrial project I worked on was an opportunity to understand the user, anticipate their friction points, and create functional solutions with purpose.
Through materials, proportions, and ergonomics, I discovered that design is not just about building things, but about creating meaningful experiences. That same philosophy is what I apply today when designing interfaces and digital products, putting forward thinking about how something feels, is understood, and is used, rather than how it looks.
The following projects represent the origin of my user-centered approach.
Each one is a study of how observation, iteration, and empathy can transform ideas into tangible experiences that connect with those who use them.
XGONO
Modular design inspired by user customization
Designed for homes with limited space, XGONO emerges as a response to the need for adaptable furniture that combines functionality and customization.
XGONO was born out of the need for furniture that can adapt to different rooms without losing functionality or style in homes with limited space. This project allowed me to explore how physical modularity can become a tangible form of user-centered design, where every decision seeks to improve everyday life through personalization and spatial efficiency.
[Context]
🏠 Designing for changing spaces
The project emerged from observing how people who live in small spaces often face a lack of flexibility in their furniture. Many objects are designed to remain static, without considering that users may move house, reconfigure rooms, or simply want to renovate their surroundings. The idea was to develop a modular system that would evolve alongside the user, allowing them to adapt the furniture according to the size or function of the space: from a small room to a larger one.
[Challenge]
🤝 Combining functionality and aesthetics in a single visual language
The main challenge was to create a piece of furniture that would optimize space without sacrificing design or stability. I wanted each module to be able to be used individually or together, maintaining aesthetic consistency and practicality. In addition, it had to be easy to assemble, transport, and reconfigure, responding to changes in the user's life.
Another important challenge was the precision of the angles at which the pieces joined, as the diamond shape required exact calculations to ensure a solid assembly.
[Description]
⚙️ A six-module system that adapts to the user
XGONO consists of six diamond-shaped modular pieces made of wood and resin. Its design allows for multiple configurations: it can be a coffee table, a bookcase, or a wall organizer.
The idea was to give users the freedom to define the purpose of the furniture, making them feel part of the configuration process through their creativity. Each module connects using a simple interlocking system, providing structural stability without the need for complex tools.
This modularity makes the furniture an evolutionary product, where it is not the furniture that adapts to a space, but rather the space that adapts to it.
[Process]
⚒️ From concept to functional product
Observation and empathy: I identified spatial limitations and user routines.
Environment analysis: I studied dimensions and movement flows within the home.
Ideation and sketching: I generated different proposals, prioritizing the balance between form and function.
3D modeling: I simulated modular configurations and validated proportions and assemblies.
Physical prototyping: I built the model out of foam board for testing.
Iteration and refinement: I adjusted the geometry to improve stability, the connection between pieces, and ease of assembly.
Final product: I built the model out of wood and resin, facing technical challenges with angles and adjustments.
During the process, unforeseen structural issues arose that forced me to solve assembly problems in real time, applying critical thinking and continuous improvement.
[Learning]
💡 Designing means anticipating, but also adapting.
Developing XGONO taught me that all design involves iteration and flexibility. Even if the plans seem perfect, the reality of the process reveals friction points that invite improvement.
I understood that design does not end with the idea, but evolves with user interaction and contextual limitations, an essential principle that I apply today in my digital projects.
PVANCO
Modular outdoor design with durability, functionality, and style
PVANCO comes from the need to make outdoor furniture that's resistant, affordable, and adaptable, designed for changing environments and people who want something practical without giving up on aesthetics. This project explores how modularity and functional design can work together to offer versatile solutions for open spaces, bringing together ergonomics, durability, and little touches that make everyday life better.
[Context]
🌳 Designing for real outdoor environments
The starting point was the user's need for a functional outdoor bench, made from affordable, weather-resistant materials. The goal was to design a piece that would not only withstand the conditions of the environment, but also be easy to transport and assemble, adapting to patios, terraces, or gardens of different sizes.
Inspired by the principles of serial planes, the design took shape from soft curved lines that provide a coherent and ergonomic visual language. Every detail was thought out to maintain a balance between structural solidity and visual simplicity, offering comfort and practicality in a single product.
[Challenge]
💡 Create a resilient, modular, and emotionally functional design
The challenge was to combine material economy with user experience, designing a product that could withstand outdoor conditions without losing its appeal or versatility.
In addition, it had to be transportable and assembled without specialized tools, which is why the modular and lightweight structure of industrial PVC was key.
Another important challenge was to convert the functional elements (screws and joints) into components with aesthetic and usability purposes, transforming them into small hooks or coat racks that would expand the range of interaction with the furniture.
[Description]
🧠 A versatile structure that combines comfort, utility, and adaptability
PVANCO is a modular PVC bench designed using industrial tubes and joints that allow for quick assembly, easy transport, and high resistance.
Its rounded corners soften the rigidity of the material, providing visual and physical ergonomics, while the connecting screws serve as additional hooks, making the most of each element of the design.
The bench also includes a space underneath where a cushion or surface can be placed for pets to rest, expanding its functionality in domestic or recreational contexts.
The final aesthetic seeks a fluid and organic language, evoking continuity and simplicity, which makes PVANCO a useful, honest, and emotionally appealing piece.
[Process]
⚙️ From material to functional experience
Material selection: I identified industrial PVC as the ideal material due to its strength, low cost, and adaptability to outdoor environments.
Conceptual exploration: Inspired by serial plans, I developed a design that integrated repetition and visual continuity without compromising stability.
Sketching and 3D modeling: I defined proportions, angles, and joints, validating ergonomics through digital simulations.
Physical model: I built a scale model to verify the strength of the joints and weight distribution.
Final product: I assembled the bench with existing PVC components, testing the ease of assembly, disassembly, and transport.
During the process, I discovered that it wasn't necessary to manufacture each piece from scratch, as the materials and connectors already existed on the market. This reinforced a sustainable and efficient vision of design, it's not always about creating everything from scratch, but rather redesigning what we already have.
[Learning]
🔍 Functionality, sustainability, and empathy in a single design
PVANCO's greatest lesson was understanding that innovation can arise from observation and the reconfiguration of common resources. This project taught me that design does not always mean starting from scratch, but rather identifying how materials, context, and people can align to build real and accessible solutions.
LAMP 5
Sensory and wireless design in a lamp that transforms light into a visual experience
LAMP 5 was born from exploring the question: how can we achieve functional lighting without cables that also blends harmoniously into the environment? This project sought to design a portable, aesthetic, and intuitive lamp, where materials and light work together to create a warm and balanced visual experience.
[Context]
💡Lighting with purpose and simplicity
Most table lamps depend on visible cables, which interrupt the visual cleanliness of spaces. LAMP 5 was conceived to free lighting from wiring, offering a cleaner, freer, and more adaptable experience.
The goal was to create a product that would serve as both a decorative and functional element, integrating naturally into interior spaces with a discreet yet sophisticated presence.
Inspired by industrial design and vintage style, I wanted to combine wireless technology with natural materials, shaping a product where light and matter achieved a balance.
[Challenge]
🎯 Combining aesthetics, precision, and functionality without compromising light quality
The main challenge was to balance light intensity with a stable wireless structure, ensuring that the light was sufficient without being annoying. In terms of construction, the biggest challenge was the precision of the tempered glass cutting angles, which were essential for achieving a clean assembly between the pieces. The first version had minimal deviations that affected the alignment of the product, so it was necessary to iterate and redesign the angles to achieve an exact result. Another challenge was to harmonize contrasting materials, wood and glass, without losing visual coherence, seeking to use the warm texture of the wood to soften the cold character of the tempered glass.
[Description]
🔦 A lamp that brings together materials, light, and emotion
LAMP 5 is a wireless table lamp consisting of a handcrafted natural wood base and a diffused tempered glass shade that disperses light without glare.
Thanks to its wireless design, it can be placed anywhere without restrictions, transforming it into a functional decorative piece.
The choice of materials and their composition was not only aesthetic; I sought to create a complete sensory experience, where the user perceives warmth, texture, and atmosphere every time it is turned on.
[Process]
⚙️ From observation to precision manufacturing
Analysis of the lighting environment: I observed how lighting affected the atmosphere and visual comfort in different types of rooms.
Definition of purpose: I sought a level of lighting that was sufficient for reading or ambiance, without overexposure.
Selection of contrasting materials: I chose wood for its natural warmth and tempered glass for its transparency and strength.
Sketching and prototyping: I created sketches exploring proportions and shapes, then developed an initial prototype to test balance and visual weight.
Production: I built the wooden base by hand and had the glass cut to size. After identifying flaws in the first cutting angles, I made a second version with greater structural precision, achieving the ideal finish.
This process reinforced the importance of collaboration between design and manufacturing, and how technical details can define the quality of the final experience.
[Learning]
🧠 Precision also designs experiences
LAMP 5 teaches me that sensory design is not limited to aesthetics; it also depends on technical precision and interaction with materials. Every decision, from the angle of the glass to the tone of the light, directly influences how the user perceives the space.
CACTONIQUI
Redesigning the iconic Acapulco chair to create a floating, ergonomic resting experience
CACTONIQUI was born from the idea of reinterpreting the classic Acapulco chair, expanding its function to become an ergonomic and lightweight lounger that offers the sensation of resting in a hammock. This project combines tradition, comfort, and emotional design, exploring how the redesign of an iconic object can generate new user-centered experiences without losing its cultural essence.
[Context]
🪑 Evolving an icon of Mexican design
The Acapulco chair has been a symbol of Mexican design due to its artisanal aesthetics and ergonomic shape. However, its use is limited to sitting.
CACTONIQUI arose from the desire to expand that experience by adding a full reclining position, transforming the chair into an adaptable outdoor lounger. The goal was to maintain the artisanal spirit of the original design, but with a wider, reclining, and modular structure, ideal for terraces, pools, or contemporary relaxation spaces.
[Challenge]
🎯 Achieving ergonomics, lightness, and portability without losing identity
The challenge was to create a structure that maintained the characteristic curvature and tension of the Acapulco chair, but at the same time could support the weight and position of a reclining body ergonomically.
It was essential to balance ergonomics, strength, and ease of transport without excessively increasing the weight of the product. In addition, the design had to convey a visual sense of lightness and flotation, evoking the suspended rest of a hammock, but with firm and stable support.
[Description]
🛋️ A relaxing experience with an artisanal soul and a contemporary body
CACTONIQUI consists of two modular pieces that make it easy to transport and store.
The structure uses welded metal rods to ensure stability, combined with a tensioned plastic rope fabric that distributes weight evenly and creates an enveloping sensation of floating.
The design maintains a precise ergonomic angle, the result of user testing to achieve the ideal posture between rest and support.
The white color reinforces the emotional intent of the design, which conveys calm, purity, and balance, as well as reflecting sunlight to keep the surface cool outdoors.
[Process]
⚙️ Conceptual redesign and physical comfort
Inspiration and redefinition of the concept: I started with the structure and proportions of the Acapulco chair, seeking to expand its functionality into a product that would offer total relaxation.
Ergonomic exploration: I analyzed resting positions and angles of inclination that would mimic the natural curvature of the body when reclining in a hammock.
Sketching and 3D modeling: I developed variations to find the ideal balance between length, inclination, and structural strength.
Material selection: I chose metal rods for their durability and plastic rope for its flexibility, weather resistance, and lightness.
Manufacturing and validation: I built the physical product and tested it with users to adjust the angle of the backrest, the tension of the fabric, and the overall stability.
Each iteration focused on refining the physical experience of rest, seeking to provide the user with a balance between visual lightness and real support.
[Learning]
🧠 Redesigning means understanding the essence of use.
CACTONIQUI taught me that redesigning is not about replicating a form, but rather reinterpreting an experience. This project allowed me to understand how the principles of ergonomics and physical comfort can be transferred to emotional design, creating a deeper connection between user, object, and context.
🤝 Empathy creates products that make our lives easier to live.
My career began by creating physical products that solved real needs: modular furniture, ergonomic objects, and sensory lighting. Each project was a lesson in how people interact with objects, materials, and space, discovering that design is not just about form or function, but how something feels, is used, and is remembered.
Over time, I realized that these same principles guide the design of digital experiences.
In industrial design, textures, weights, and materials communicate sensations.
In UX/UI, colors, hierarchies, and micro-interactions generate trust and clarity.
Both worlds share the same purpose: to create coherent, intuitive, and meaningful experiences.
Today, I apply my analytical thinking and aesthetic sensibility to digital design and physical products that connect emotion and functionality, always maintaining a focus on the user, the details, and the story behind each interaction.
