Ismael Velo

Industrial designer from Northern Spain, crafting products that are evocative in their approach and precise in their execution.

Much of my work centres on Play and Wellbeing, areas in which I balance poetic expression with functional clarity through thoughtful making, a keen eye for detail, and a love for the craft.

I graduated from Elisava School of Design in Barcelona, where I complemented my Atlantic upbringing with the Mediterranean design culture.

A formative period in Norway added the clarity and quiet discipline of Scandinavian design. 

Amsterdam, where I lived and worked for more than a decade, taught me how to embrace non-conforming and independent thinking.

Together with Japan’s approach to craft, these influences continue to inform my work today.

I was the Lead Designer at FROLIC, a boutique studio working across industries, where I helped organisations like IKEA, Volkswagen and Vodafone, while contributing to the company’s shift from a tech-driven startup to a design-driven agency.

A deliberate shift in scale took me to Earthscape Play, where I developed bespoke wooden playgrounds for renowned landscape architecture firms across Canada and the US, creating high-quality playspaces that advance industry standards.

Both chapters, alongside my freelance practice, have sharpened the craft sensitivity and agency fluency I bring to every project

Some of the things I have worked on include a nightlight (a gender-neutral design challenge), a unique piece of furniture where sustainable sourcing meets CMF, and a range of connected products designed to give technology a touch of human warmth.

What I bring to the table

Thoughtful storyteller, design minimalist, long-hours buddy, colour master
— Nathan Schleicher

+ Digital & analogue sketching

+ 3D CAD modelling

+ Rendering and visualisation

+ CMF design

+ Design research & synthesis

+ Concept development

+ Technical development

+ Design research & synthesis

+ Design for manufacture DfM

+ CNC/digital fabrication tools

+ Critical thinking

+ Growth mindset

+ Cross-sector collaboration

+ Client communication

+ Team leadership