boots on the ground
In order to get a better understanding of the current professional user workflow, I met Dan, a 5-year auto professional at Deadicated Auto Club. I spent the day with Dan studying his methods of applying vinyl wrap and his go-to tools.
We discussed the current main shop heat gun, the Wagner Furno 500, and compared it to my reference heat gun. I also showed rough 3D shapes to gauge opinions and interest.
teardown
With such a straightforward internal structure, the heat gun offers potential for enhancements, such as more precise temperature settings and a space for battery integration, all while preserving its functional design.
*same wagner corded model used by interviewed user
form & material
Discovering adjacent forms that peak interest and surface materials such as Tampa® Pol TPY and Textured EPDM.
2d concepting
Developed 40+ thumbnail variations and detailed sketch pages in Illustrator to explore potential interaction points, form iterations, and user engagement zones.
concept elevation utilizing ai
Using a combination of Vizcom and Midjourney AI tools I was quickly able to take quick thumbnails and visualize them to gain inspiration and make concept adjustment.
ideal workflow
physicals
Creating sketches exploring proportion, form, and silhouette, then translating those ideas into 6+ FDM and resin prints. These models helped evaluate in-hand feel, scale, and usability—bridging 2D concepts with real-world physicality.
