• Our Design Studio

      In 2007, a team of NC State Design graduates invented their own jobs.

      Our group is centered around innovative products, eye-catching graphics, and advanced prototyping. We work with everyone from individual inventors to Fortune 500 companies looking for an innovative edge and an increase in sales.

      Our projects are fast-paced creative injections to ideas, product lines, and marketing.

      Directions to our location


    • Meet our Designers

      Our design staff:

      • Michael Laut – President, Creative Director
      • Shane Roepe – Industrial Designer / CAD Lead
      • Steve Bockmann – Industrial Designer
      • Karen Laut – Graphic Designer
      • Smith Newnam – Motion Graphics / ID
      • Jen Howell – Graphic Design / Admin Asst.

      Flip right or left to read about our designers

       

    • PRESIDENT, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

      Michael holds Bachelors & Masters degrees in Industrial Design from North Carolina State University. His experience in user-centric product and brand development ranges from military and defense applications to biomedical devices, consumer electronics, and many other categories.

      Michael is also an Adjunct Professor at NC State’s College of Design, where he teaches courses on digital drawing and rendering techniques at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

      Reach him at:
      mike@lautdesign.com

    • INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER

      Shane holds a Bachelors degree in Industrial Design from North Carolina State University’s College of Design. He is talented in design sketching, 3D modeling, and understanding the user.

      Shane is also an avid lacrosse player who has brought first-hand knowledge of sports equipment and athletic products to several of his past projects.

      Reach him at:
      shane@lautdesign.com

    • INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER

      Steve holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Industrial Design and Transportation Design from North Carolina State University and Pforzheim University, respectively. His experience in quick visualization and product styling ranges from work on power tools, off-road vehicles, construction equipment, and automotive exterior and interiors.

      Reach him at:
      steve@lautdesign.com

       

    • DESIGN RESEARCH SPECIALIST

      Patrick is currently finishing a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design at North Carolina State University. Actively involved in a range of projects, Patrick’s creative approach to design produces unique ideas, and a lot of them. His explorations include consumer electronics, sporting goods, furniture, and lighting.

      Reach him at:
      patrick@lautdesign.com

    • GRAPHIC DESIGNER

      Karen’s research methods, and organizational abilities are what make her a key member of our graphic design team.
      She is currently completing a bachelor’s degree in graphic design at NC State’s College of Design.

      Reach her at:
      karen@lautdesign.com

       

    • INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER

      Smith received his Bachelors of Industrial Design, Summa Cum Laude, from North Carolina State University’s College of Design.  He has a diverse range of interests including web design, video production, and programming.

      Much of his product design work has been in consumer electronics categories.  Some of his specialties include concept development, CAD, and visualization.

      Reach him at:
      smith@lautdesign.com

       

    • PHOTOGRAPHER

      John started his photography career shooting for NC State University’s daily student paper and yearbook. John’s work has won awards from both the Associated Collegiate Press and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

      As a past member of Sony Ericsson’s optoelectronics R&D team, he worked on multiple mobile phone camera solutions. John blends his technical camera knowledge with a creative eye for composition and style.

      Reach him at:
      john@lautdesign.com

       

    • Design Sketches

      Quickly putting hundreds of ideas down on paper means we can consider several concepts before spending more time on any specific direction.

      Examples >

    • 3D Modeling

      Solid modeling means accurate dimensions and proportion. From these models we can create stunning images.

      Examples >

       

    • Photoreal Renderings

      Our 3D rendering platform takes our customers 3D models and brings them to life in stunning real-world materials, vibrant colors, and mathematical lighting.
      We can import all sorts of 3D file formats, such as .STEP (preferred), .IGES, .STL, Solidworks, Pro-Engineer, Unigraphics, and others.

      Examples >

       

    • Prototype Fabrication

      Our prototyping processes:

      • Foam mockups
      • 3D printing / SLA / SLS
      • Metal work
      • CNC machining
      • Thermo / vacu-forming
      • Laser cutting / engraving
      • Waterjet cutting
      • Woodworking
      • Assembly
      • Finishing / Paint

      Examples >

       

    • Product Photography

      Whether we’re photographing customer products or our own prototypes, crisp product images help us explain our design and create marketing material

      Examples >

       

    • Graphic Design

      Our graphic designers create a brand, image, or advertisement from the result of our product design, photography, and prototyping. We can produce marketing material for print, the web, and product labeling

      Examples >