Where Innovation happens
GIS Labs is a creative R&D and systems lab where ideas are tested and brought to life.
We design and prototype systems, tools, products, and experiences—translating advanced thinking into real-world applications.
Every project begins as a focused pilot to test concepts, validate direction, and inform what gets built next.
HOW THE LAB WORKS
We don’t start with products. We start with problems. Every engagement follows a structured process:
01 — Explore
Define the problem, the user, and the environment
02 — Prototype
Develop concepts through visual design, physical builds, and experience creation
03 — Test & Evaluate
Determine what works, what doesn’t, and what’s worth moving forward.
04 — Report & Recommend
Deliver clear findings, technical insights, and direction for what to build next.
Each project is designed to generate insight, validate direction, and support confident decisions.
WORK WITH OUR LAB
We partner with brands, institutions, and organizations through focused engagements:
CONCEPT SPRINT
Define and shape a new idea
→ Opportunity mapping, user insights, and concept development
PROTOTYPE PILOT
Build and test a concept
→ Functional prototypes, experience mockups, and early validation
EXPERIENCE BUILD
Create public-facing concepts
→ Installations, workshops, kits, and activation design
SYSTEM EVALUATION
Evaluate existing products and systems
→ Movement, usability, performance insights, and technical findings
All collaborations begin as small, focused pilots before expanding into larger engagements.
CASE STUDY 01— SNEAKER DESIGN AS SYSTEMS EXPLORATION
Sneaker design within GISC Lab is an exploration of how environment, physics, and human movement translate into wearable systems.
We:
- Transformed STEM concepts into physical design challenges
- Built sneakers from the ground up—materials, structure, and construction
- Explored future applications, including astronaut footwear
- Developed hands-on learning experiences that teach STEM through art and design
As part of this work, we created an astronaut footwear STEM kit that introduces students to core scientific principles—such as forces, motion, and environment—through making and design.
The kit is intentionally designed to reach students who may not identify as “math or science students,” using creativity and hands-on building as an entry point into STEM.
By shifting how these concepts are introduced, we create new pathways for engagement, confidence, and understanding.
From educational experiences to functional prototypes, this work demonstrates how systems thinking can move from concept to real-world application—across both products and learning environments.
CASE STUDY 02 — REIMAGINING THE FLIGHT SUIT
Traditional flight suits were not designed with women in mind.
Through GISC Lab, we identified key constraints in existing systems—mobility, fit, and bathroom accessibility—and developed a new approach rooted in human-centered design.
We:
- Analyzed real-world use cases across aviation and space environments
- Designed and prototyped new access systems
- Tested functionality for movement, durability, and usability
The result is a reimagined flight suit that integrates performance, comfort, and inclusivity.
This work extends beyond aerospace—informing applications across industries such as construction, manufacturing, field operations, and beyond.
CASE STUDY 03— REIMAGINING THE LAB COAT
Traditional lab coats are designed for protection—but often overlook movement, comfort, and real-world usability.
Through GISC Lab, we explored how a commonly used garment could be reimagined as a functional system—designed to support how people actually work.
We:
- Analyzed how lab coats are used across different environments
- Identified gaps in mobility, fit, and everyday functionality
- Redesigned the garment with movement, comfort, and usability in mind
- Prototyped new approaches to structure, access, and wearability
This work expands the idea of what a lab coat can be—from a standard uniform to a more adaptable, functional system that supports the user.
Like our flight suit work, this project demonstrates how constraint-driven thinking and design can be applied to improve everyday tools across industries.
WHY GIS LABS?
We don’t just design for aesthetics. We design for real environments, real constraints, and real people.
Rooted in space engineering and creative exploration, GISC Lab bridges technical systems with cultural expression to create products and experiences that are both functional and meaningful.
IMAGINE. DESIGN. BUILD.