Founder / Industrial Designer @ stellar ★ design
As an Industrial Designer, I am always looking to create the best and brightest design possible. I have a fascination with making objects and ideas real. Craftsmanship and continuity play an important role in my process. Always looking for advanced tools to push the boundaries of design. A rich sense of historical and philosophical value that crosses boundaries, intertwining depth and meaning into my work. I am interested in many things, each of which exudes a different integrity. Focus and a preoccupation with solving problems, helps me take steps beyond a drawing or discussion. Manufactured objects testify a lot about who made them and why. Through a distillation process, concentration and persistance, I strive to create lasting and meaningful work.
Dominic Peralta, IDSA has a big heart and a deep desire to be of service. This year alone, he has worked on five COVID-19-related projects, in addition to many other products he has developed in 2020 as an industrial designer and founder of stellar ★ design, a product design studio in San Mateo, CA.
“This year there have been many things that have inspired and motivated me, but none more than the individuals who put their lives at risk to save others,” Dominic says. “Frontline workers of all kinds put their own needs aside and step in to protect humanity. Reading about and seeing them each day really motivated me to try my best to emulate their approach and bring that into an area of our design profession to help people.”
Dominic contributed to the designs of the Pnuemask, a project initiated through the Prakash Lab at Stanford University Department of Bioengineering in response to COVID-19, and the Montana Mask, which originated at Billings Clinic. He helped the team at Pall quickly design a new filter for ventilators, worked with a friend and colleague to design and create a mask for children called Flo Mask, and helped a small team design and create Heartform, which helps people breathe easier while wearing a mask.
Dominic insists that people should be at the center of all we do, and especially as designers. “Without the perspective, empathy, and care for what people want, need, or do, it is hard to create something that has a lasting imprint,” he says. “As designers, there are so many elements and aspects we need to take into account, but none more important than those we are creating alongside and for.”
His other projects in 2020 ran the gamut of product designs, from an augmented reality speaker (Tout), security key (Google), privacy cases for mobile devices (PRVCY), and an at-home fitness system (Sk8Fit) to compostable markers for children (Tinker & Play) and a number of CAD-based projects for Restoration Hardware. He also taught an introduction to design visualization course for industrial design students at San Jose State University.
With all the twists and turns of 2020, Dominic has found that “staying grounded is important.” Also: “Being prepared for anything that could come our way. Having a plan and being prepared for yourself, family, and loved ones. Continuing to help individuals, startups, small companies, and corporations build great design, both familiar and new. Spending more time outside, staying safe, and adding more healthy routines.” And finally: “Letting the most important people in my life know how much I love them.”
