3D  CONCEPT  VISUALIZATION

for Innovators and Educators







Case Studies

This book draws from my public service at James Madison University as a part-time Adjunct Instructor, Technical Artist, and Inventor-In-Residence from 2005 to 2017. Above is the Concept Visualization Studio adjacent to the innovation space at Lakeview Hall. Note that extensive hyperlinking benefits faculty and students seeking detailed contextual information. Dedicated to my partner Diane Wilcox, MA, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, and daughters Alexandra Wilcox, M.Ed., and Annika Wilcox, MA, Ph.D. T.M.Wilcox, 2025.

VIRTUAL REALITY LAYOUT

3D SCANNER

CGI STILL LIFE

THIS IS NOT A BRICK

BIOMIMETIC DEVICE

OPERATION ICE HOUSE

VIRTUAL RESORT

BOOK COVER

VIRTUAL REALITY CONTROLS

BOARD GAME

FRAME CONNECTOR

MONITOR TABLE

AUCTION PADDLE

BOXXER CONCEPT

IRONICAL MOUSETRAP

BOW CHAIR

ODS IMAGES & ANIMATION

PRINTABLE DWELLING

EXHIBIT DISPLAY

MONOLITHIC LOGO

RECEPTION DESK

FLOOR STAND

VAN DER ROHE CITY

CATTLE HERDER

Curriculum Vitae

Instead of a regular Curriculum Vitae, mine is an illustrated narrative with a user interface optimized for handheld devices. In an early career as a computer game designer, I used a conventional list of Titles & Credits (PDF) documenting my contributions to boxed software.

INTRODUCTION

EDUCATION

EARLY CAREER

MIDDLE CAREER

LATE CAREER

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

Consulting

Innovation consulting is conversation and discussion encompassing problem discovery, concept design, prototype development, and experience analysis. Discussions are correspondence, live presentation, and documentation. During prototyping, hours accumulate for 2D drawing, 3D modeling, interaction design, computer programming, platform testing, and mockup fabrication.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office tell us that digital prototypes can be proof of reduction to practice. They also tell us that ideas have no value, but their expression does. If you ask a designer to express an idea absent a contract, then the designer owns the work product. If you ask a designer to express an idea referencing your notes and drawings, then co-ownership is negotiable.

Inventions are patentable only when they are non-obvious, and only with sufficient disclosure of sketchbooks, plans, schematics, renderings, 3D models, CAD files, and computer programs. Applications for design patents need extensive prior art analysis.

Innovating is the opposite of a group cognitive process like brainstorming. Forced collaboration and timeboxing negatively impact innovator performance. Design thinking draws on abductive reasoning, practical domain knowledge, dynamic intuition, and spatial ability to mentally visualize problems and iterate solutions. Management policies supporting hierarchy flattening and staff self-organization enhance workplace wellness, creativity, and innovation.

With classical training in fine art, I made innovative sculpture in college. In an early career as a computer game designer, my innovations led to unit sales in the millions. During a middle career at a university, I taught photography, mentored faculty and students in 3D concept visualization, and I designed immersive virtual reality teaching and learning environments. For my late career, I'm an Innovation Consultant and An Artist In Virtual Worlds.