About Rodrigo Camus
My Journey Through Design, Innovation, and Education
My journey in design began in Mexico City, a lifelong fascination with creation leading me to Industrial Design. My ambition quickly drew me to ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, where my passion for automotive form blossomed. A profound early honor: my Ferrari concept design was showcased for two full semesters in the college gallery.
Global Industry & Early Leadership
Upon graduating, I dove into the professional world at FIAT in Turin, Italy. As part of the design team for the iconic Fiat 500, I gained invaluable international experience in high-stakes automotive design. During this period, my entrepreneurial spirit also led me to found Conectado Diseño in Mexico City. Concurrently, a new academic challenge arose: becoming Design Chair for Transportation Design at Riggoletti Casa de Diseño. For two years, I embraced this dual role, shaping curriculum and mentoring the next generation of designers.
Resilience, Diversification & Entrepreneurship
Life's unexpected turns brought me to Houston in 2010. This period became a testament to my adaptability, as I ventured into diverse freelance projects applying industrial design principles to fashion, medical equipment, and consumer electronics. My entrepreneurial drive continued to flourish, leading to the "accidental" launch of Pro Car Sketch in 2013—a unique automotive art business showcased at major auto shows.
More recently, my entrepreneurial journey expanded into real estate with OLisof Properties (since 2016, full-time from 2021). I've applied my design eye and project management skills to renovating and selling distressed homes, overseeing every aspect from acquisition to design, construction, and sales, leading to 6-8 successful flips annually.
Passion for Design Education & Mentorship
Throughout these diverse professional chapters, my commitment to design education has remained a constant. Beyond formal academic roles, I've served as a dedicated guest lecturer and workshop facilitator at prestigious institutions like SCAD, Universidad Anahuac, and various high schools. My pioneering work includes VR-based design workshops with Gravity Sketch at SCAD (notably during a Porsche event in 2022), demonstrating my integration of cutting-edge tools into pedagogy.
I take immense pride in my mentorship, successfully guiding students for admission to top design schools (like ArtCenter), with one mentee achieving a design position at BMW's California studio. My dedication to accessible design knowledge led me to create Pro Sketch by Rod Camus, a YouTube channel offering extensive, free instructional videos. More recently, my "Formula Fun" children's book series blends my passion for Formula 1 racing with educational storytelling.
My Driving Force: Motorsports & Design
My lifelong passion for automotive performance isn't just an interest—it's a deep-seated understanding. From childhood go-karting to professional touring car racing (Copa Corona 2000 Rookie of the Year in 500hp cars), and continued motorcycle track days at iconic circuits like Circuit of the Americas, this hands-on experience provides unique insights into vehicle dynamics, performance engineering, and the intricate relationship between design and technology.
My Vision for Design Education
I believe true design education thrives at the intersection of rigorous academic principles and dynamic, real-world experience. My diverse background—from iconic product development and entrepreneurial leadership to hands-on fabrication, cutting-edge VR design, and a proven track record in mentorship—uniquely positions me to inspire and equip the next generation of industrial designers with the skills and mindset needed to innovate and lead.