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I am a designer of technical and functional products for sport and leisure with twenty years of experience. I design footwear, clothing and accessories for international brands. I like to design items that are used by passionate people who need innovation and test their quality and functionality, even in extreme conditions. This interaction has led me and continues to lead me to understand the specific needs of athletes, sportsmen and enthusiasts in various sectors such as Outdoor, Mountain, Motorcycling, Safety, Nautical, Skiing and others. One of the most beautiful features of this job is that you never stop learning. By designing items where functionality and performance are very important, I have a practical and concrete approach to design based on direct experience, which I also apply when I design products for leisure, with the aim of improving performance in aspects such as ergonomics, durability, comfort, weight, etc…which have to be harmoniously integrated with aesthetics and fashion trends. In addition to designing, I have also dedicated part of my time to training other people. I believe in the value of sharing knowledge, or rather… in my case especially of knowing how to do things! My goal is to pass on my knowledge by providing courses and practical tools to designers with less experience than me, and to those who want to take a similar path. I teach how to use creativity in a targeted way, through a professionally tested working method, specific software, and the knowledge needed to realistically design items suitable for industrial production.

I am a designer of technical and functional products for sport and leisure with twenty years of experience. I design footwear, clothing and accessories for international brands.

I like to design items that are used by passionate people who need innovation and test their quality and functionality, even in extreme conditions. This interaction has led me and continues to lead me to understand the specific needs of athletes, sportsmen and enthusiasts in various sectors such as Outdoor, Mountain, Motorcycling, Safety, Nautical, Skiing and others. One of the most beautiful features of this job is that you never stop learning.

By designing items where functionality and performance are very important, I have a practical and concrete approach to design based on direct experience, which I also apply when I design products for leisure, with the aim of improving performance in aspects such as ergonomics, durability, comfort, weight, etc…which have to be harmoniously integrated with aesthetics and fashion trends.

I have also dedicated part of my time to training other people. I believe in the value of sharing knowledge, or rather… in my case especially of knowing how to do things! My goal is to pass on my knowledge by providing courses and practical tools to designers with less experience than me, and to those who want to take a similar path. I teach how to use creativity in a targeted way, through a professionally tested working method, specific software, and the knowledge needed to realistically design items suitable for industrial production.

My History

As a child, I spent countless hours playing with LEGOs. Time was passing without realizing it, and any other pastime was uninteresting compared to this one. Initially I was building those beautiful objects photographed in the package, following the assembly instructions. Soon after, I felt the need to come up with something new. Observing my everyday reality and interpreting it, I was reproducing cars, trucks and agricultural vehicles without any indications to follow… relying on my creativity only.

Growing up, I found that I also liked drawing and making collages. During middle school, I was trying to develop the aesthetics of new models made by car brands. By sketching, cutting pieces of cardboard and sticking them to my parents’ cars (and those of my friends) I was creating full-scale prototypes to evaluate the result of my ideas. Later, during high school I was attracted by graphics, music and fashion, and other forms of artistic expression and cultural identity. Obviously, I imagined my future going in this direction.

I graduated in Bsc (hons) Industrial Design at London South Bank University.

REFERENCES

I needed to learn how to use Adobe Indesign software quickly, but at the same time effectively, to independently create catalogs, brochures and other material with the aim of promoting my works of art. The private lessons held with Gino Pillon were fundamental, the learning experience was immediate and pleasant. Gino is an excellent teacher, able to organize personalized lessons based on the specific needs of the case. I also really appreciated his willingness to clarify any doubts, and his support regarding the creation of my works. If I need other lessons to deepen Indesign or learn other software such as Illustrator or Photoshop, I will definitely turn to him.

Natascia BaronSenior Product Developer / Painter

Throughout the years I have had the opportunity to work with Gino on a few projects. Whether in the design of new products, or in the graphic presentation of new POP concepts or in the conception and development of a complete, disruptive, eco-lighting concept from scratch, I could recognize and appreciate his approach, method and focus. He can drive a very rich and holistic creative process through the rigid limitations of time lines, benchmarks and targets with remarkable balance and high level of consistency. When I called him for the training of one of my employees, he turned out to be a good educator, too. Thanks to his sensitivity and organization, he managed to teach the right method and skills to my employees according to our company's needs.

Luciano ColaoDirettore Generale - Chaos Headwear Europe

I had the opportunity to develop several projects with Gino. He is a very precise, flexible and helpful professional. He is able to understand requests quickly and collaborate actively. It offers different solutions, aimed at obtaining an ever better result.

Gloria DoneSenior Product Developer - Nice Footwear S.p.a.

Gino has been supporting us on some footwear projects. He is flexible and open minded, it was nice to work with Gino. On top, the shoes were great!

Christophe JugeTeam Manager / Senior Designer Footwear - JACK WOLFSKIN GmbH & Co. KGaA

Gino's kindness, humility and open mind make it easy to work with. A few years ago we collaborated on several projects, every time at a different stage of the process. Despite the difficulties, Gino always delivered creative responses and took every chance to learn and progress. Since that time I know he has built a solid experience but sure he never lost his creative approach.

Antoine BriantOwner / Manager - Antoine Briant Design

Gino has worked at our company on several projects. The quality of work, seriousness and precision in management are very important aspects that make Gino a professional in the sector. I would also add a very reliable person, available and open to discussion.

Cristian Di LeoCo-founder - GEARXPro Sports

I worked with Gino developing a diverse range of hiking, backpacking and cycling footwear. Gino was commercially aware, creative, professional, and a joy to work with.

Neil BradleyExport Sales Director - Mountain Equipment

Gino is a sensitive and strongly motivated person. Working with him in AXO gave me the opportunity to discover new things. The most meaningful one is certainly an approach to the development of projects that is less emotive and more pragmatical. Thanks Gino for your support and collaboration.

Andrea FrancescatoProduct Manager Apparel - Axo Sport spa

I worked with Gino for a few years and I found a professional and serious person. Very capable stylistically and in the combination of colors.

Marco ZanattaR&D director presso Asolo spa

Gino is a very serious, professional person and above all he has an immense passion linked to his role and to the company he worked with. Also very prone to teamwork and the two working days were pleasant.

Cristiano MorelloFotografo CMG - ONE SHOT

Gino is a detail orientated graphics designer with a technical POV. Worked with Gino at the inception of a footwear project and was very confident in his abilities and the workflow.

PJ RashidiFounder & President at -273

I had the pleasure to work with Gino during the development of some products. Beside being very humble and open to suggestions, he is very curious and find inspiration from nature in particular. His designs have always a reasoning and a functional goal in mind. He is also careful in achieving cost target.

Nicola SerragiottoEVP & Founder - AXO

I worked closely with Gino, he has always proved to be a punctual and precise collaborator and is very open to discussion. One of the best Product Designers I have known.

Valentina ZagoManaging Director - AXO SPORT S.p.A.

Working with Gino at Footwear Innovation Lab has been a blast! Gino was a precious part of the team and an enriching colleague when it comes to working attitude and skills, his notably polite and sparkling way of communicating and his always adequate motivation on sharing knowledge. Learning from and with him as well as teaching new skills is extremely effective and pleasant since Gino is a fast learner as well as an autodidact professional with a broad skill set.

Jan EdingerXR & Industrial Designer - Footwear Innovation Lab GmbH