Tom De Blasis, a Global Design Director for Nike Soccer, took his first step towards a life in industrial design when as an 8-year-old boy he took apart his Star Wars Tie-Fighter and gazed upon the mess of circuit boards, wires and molded parts contained within. Magic, inspiration and a painful lesson in spring-loaded assemblies hit him all at once.
He believes in designing experientially and so in the name of design research he has found himself walking into a burning building in full firefighter turnout gear, firing an illegal Belgian semi-automatic assault rifle, going on a stakeout with a private detective and walking the tent cities of refugee camps.
Currently a Global Design Director for Nike Football (Soccer), his latest creation is called The Gamechanger Bucket, a health and happiness kit that brings access to clean water and sport to disaster areas and communities in need around the world.