If you’re into backstories, the read below gives a pretty clear picture of how and why I ended up where I am today. Or feel free to skip ahead and head straight to the projects page.
Hi, I’m Gerardo Gomez, an industrial designer.
I grew up in my family’s third-generation upholstery and furniture business in Mexico, in a small village near Guadalajara on the shores of Lake Chapala. Furniture has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and creating, building, and experimenting with materials has always come naturally to me.
Early on, I worked as a professional photographer while also manufacturing furniture with my family, which helped shape how I see design—both visually and technically. After more than a decade immersed in the craft, I moved to the United States in 2010 as a first-generation immigrant to continue growing my career.
Over the past decade, I’ve had the chance to work closely with incredibly talented designers and architects across the country. I enjoy pushing materials and structures beyond their expected limits, combining them in non-traditional ways and refining designs until they cross that line from “good” to something truly special.
No matter the role, I’ve always been happiest on the shop floor—learning from experienced craftspeople and staying hands-on throughout the process. That connection to making is at the core of how I design and how I work.
Some milestones
2010
I arrived in the U.S. during the height of the recession and joined CRA Custom Printing, where I learned large-scale visualisation, colour, graphics customisation, and end-to-end production. This experience taught me how to think fast, work through demanding production environments, and truly walk a project from start to finish.
I arrived in the U.S. during the height of the recession and joined CRA Custom Printing, where I learned large-scale visualisation, colour, graphics customisation, and end-to-end production. This experience taught me how to think fast, work through demanding production environments, and truly walk a project from start to finish.
2013
After freelancing with Scale 1to1 and helping start the company from scratch alongside its owner, David Winston, I joined full-time as Senior Industrial Designer. During this time, I expanded into 3D engineering using SolidWorks, Rhino, and Inventor, helped develop the full furniture line, and worked hands-on with CNC plasma cutting, laser cutting, and 5-axis machining—deepening my understanding of manufacturing as a core design tool.
After freelancing with Scale 1to1 and helping start the company from scratch alongside its owner, David Winston, I joined full-time as Senior Industrial Designer. During this time, I expanded into 3D engineering using SolidWorks, Rhino, and Inventor, helped develop the full furniture line, and worked hands-on with CNC plasma cutting, laser cutting, and 5-axis machining—deepening my understanding of manufacturing as a core design tool.
David had a knack for selling the craziest high-tech furniture ideas, then coming back and saying, “Right, we need to figure this out and deliver it in a few days.” Stressful? Absolutely. But you’ve got to love David—he pushed boundaries, trusted the process, and he’s become a great friend.
2014
At MASH Studios, I went through an intensive design “boot camp,” working with a wide range of materials including fine woods, concrete, metal, stone, glass, leather, and fabrics. This experience pushed my material knowledge and sharpened my approach to complex custom work, MASH Studios truly opened my eyes as an industrial designer. Working there shaped my foundation, and Devin Connolly pushed me to my limits in the best possible way—helping me build the core skills and mindset that define the professional I am today.
At MASH Studios, I went through an intensive design “boot camp,” working with a wide range of materials including fine woods, concrete, metal, stone, glass, leather, and fabrics. This experience pushed my material knowledge and sharpened my approach to complex custom work, MASH Studios truly opened my eyes as an industrial designer. Working there shaped my foundation, and Devin Connolly pushed me to my limits in the best possible way—helping me build the core skills and mindset that define the professional I am today.
After that, I returned to Scale 1to1 to help prepare the company for acquisition.
2018
I moved on to PeopleSpace in Orange County, CA, where we started SLATE Custom Studio from the ground up alongside Ron Russell. It was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding work experiences I’ve had working with Karen Rencurrel, right up until the pandemic began and the company had to adapt to survive.
I moved on to PeopleSpace in Orange County, CA, where we started SLATE Custom Studio from the ground up alongside Ron Russell. It was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding work experiences I’ve had working with Karen Rencurrel, right up until the pandemic began and the company had to adapt to survive.
Following the pandemic, I freelanced for a period before fully returning to custom furniture work.
2022 – Present
I currently work at Platform Custom Studio by Unisource Solutions as a lead engineer and project manager (contractor), focusing on complex, production-ready furniture projects.
I currently work at Platform Custom Studio by Unisource Solutions as a lead engineer and project manager (contractor), focusing on complex, production-ready furniture projects.
2024 – Present
Third time’s the charm! I’m no longer an employee… kind of 😅 Still working hard while the business takes off.
I co-founded CNC-Fella alongside Eric Hernandez, owner of Beyond Seating.
Third time’s the charm! I’m no longer an employee… kind of 😅 Still working hard while the business takes off.
I co-founded CNC-Fella alongside Eric Hernandez, owner of Beyond Seating.
CNC-Fella is a custom furniture studio based in Southern California, operating as a hybrid manufacturing shop in the city of Whittier. It was created out of a real need: a true one-stop custom shop for designers, architects, and brands looking to bring ambitious ideas to life—without the usual barriers, delays, or layers of communication.
Our focus is on high-quality craftsmanship, smart engineering, and close collaboration. We work directly with our clients from concept through production, offering a hands-on, transparent process that keeps projects moving efficiently while maintaining the highest standards.
We’re genuinely excited about what’s ahead and always open to new partnerships, collaborations, and challenging projects.
My Mission:
Throughout my decade-long career in the USA, I’ve felt the most fulfilled helping others with their custom projects and delivering great
one-of-the-kind furniture pieces. I love learning from the people that manufacture my pieces, I also love art, design, technology and business.
one-of-the-kind furniture pieces. I love learning from the people that manufacture my pieces, I also love art, design, technology and business.