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Gerry Kanter
Strategy & Design Solutions
My portfolio spans more than a decade of work with government, corporate and non-profit clients to develop creative solutions and effectively manage resources for a variety of projects.
portfolio

Displays Exhibits & Kiosks
Exhibit & Promotional Displays

Made to highlight Ontario businesses at industry tradeshows, one side of the booth was designed as a lounge area while the other was used to feature individual participants and their products.

Entirely built from modular components the booth could be assembled on site anywhere with graphic panels added to highlight key surfaces.

A concept booth featuring display cases and meeting rooms designed to showcase fiber optics products for a high tech company.

This was a custom design meant to fit with the same elements in different configurations. The booth is set up for a 10x10 and a 10x20 space by removing or adding certain elements. The main structure is made up of modular units along with custom elements that add volume and colour to the space, while keeping the costs of production low.

Another rendering view of the corporate booth

Elements in the booth can be re-positioned to create new layout spaces.

This concept made use of an interactive technology and sensor to control a panel on the stage via gestures by the audience

This booth was designed to be assembled on site across multiple trade shows in the USA. It featured infill graphic panels as well as storage and meeting spaces. The booth is modular and can be reconfigured to fit a variety of spaces.

This booth promotes Quebec's biotechnology companies. One side of the booth was designed as a lounge area while the other was used to feature individual participants and their products. Entirely built from modular components the booth could be assembled on site anywhere with graphic panels added as needed.

This exhibit was commissioned to showcase French-Canadian culture and heritage. The displays & fixtures were built offsite, transported and installed at the museum. The project required coordination between museum staff, production subcontractors. It also proved to be a logistical challenge requiring detailed site surveys, change requests and a responsive contingency plan.

I designed a concept for a Pavilion for the Government of Morocco, It featured Islamic architecture elements that would emulate a local marketplace.

This project required the design of a unique set custom components and new designs in the use of light arrays and acrylic rods to simulate fiber optics. The entire booth was dismantled in sections that fit in a few crates and featured LCD displays and a board room space.

The concept was designeed for a charity golf tournament sponsored by air canada, the modules included tee shape graphics with a two dollar coin on top

This is a concept for a TV show backdrop used by a local TV station.

Another view of the TV set

This was a massive pavilion concept to be used at international tradeshows to feature Canadian technology and innovation

this images show backdrops for a small theatre production,

The panels can be easily moved and stored and needed to fit different scenes

This backdrop was designed for Engineers without Borders. It was made using light weight graphics and an octanorm frame. The key goal was to get the most impact for a minimal budget.

The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, along with several other government agencies, needed a pavilion that would accommodate multiple departmental messages and preferences.

After a lot of negotiation and tactful diplomacy, the final solution consisted of four separate pods, each one customized with graphics related to a different departmental while maintaining a cohesive look for the overall structure.

This is an example of a custom booth for a 10X20 space

The booth featured custom fixtures and standard pop up units for graphics

The original concept included additional cabinets and a display case for samples and literature.

This booth was made of individual modular components meant to be displayed outside the conference area of a trade show. The panels are designed to fold flat while the main logo is highlighted through fluorescent lights mounted from below.

Nortec's innovative marketing strategy required a traveling exhibit that could travel to potential customer locations.

The interior of a prefabricated trailer was refurbished into a display room showcasing their de-humidifier equipment.

The Canadian Department of National Defense (DND) commissioned a 100 sq./foot traveling exhibit incorporating

Four custom information modules, graphic panels and video displays, that were used to provide visitors with an overview of the armed forces role.

The design included a working submarine periscope that participants could see through. All the units would come apart for assembly on site

Another unit simulated the interior of an armored vehicle, with panels explaining the role and missions undertaken by the Canadian Armed Forces

A basic booth layout showing interactive display technology and graphics

A standard booth layout using pop-up banner stands and custom graphics

A simple design for a 10X10 tradeshow exhibit using Octanorm extrusions and printed graphic panels

This a rendering for a booth using standard Octanorm elements along with custom tables and graphics

an example of a trade show booth using octanorm and graphic panels
Fixtures, Furniture & Automated Kiosks

This display case was made using a combination of standard and custom components to showcase customer parts.

The visitor centre for Vanier commissioned this interactive display that featured different aspects of maple syrup production. The kiosk was made of three electronic panels each one with a different trivia games relating to bird calls, tree bark and tools used to extract sap. Custom electronic and sounds were created, along with graphic panels that can be displayed on a wall.

The Department of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs commissioned this kiosk to be used at Government of Canada Pavilions and trade shows.

One side of it features a grid with puzzle pieces and questions related to the department's theme. When rotated in the right direction, a complete image is made, matching the one in the back.

These units were part of a traveling exhibit in conjunction with Agriculture Canada to feature various memory and trivia games. One of the units used a mechanism to recognize various farm smells. Others used actual specimens of larva and asked the user to recognize their origin. The kiosk were part of a traveling exhibit that toured National Fairs in major Canadian cities as part of a communications strategy

Agriculture Canada required a game to highlight the experiments conducted in the space station to grow tomatoes in zero gravity. The game has a set of six doors with sliding panels. A set of yes/no question is answered by sliding a knob and opening the door to see the right answer.

National Archives of Canada required a set of custom bookcases to display unique items of their collections in the main building lobby. I designed with LED lighting and locking glass panels.

These units were designed to display artifacts at the national archives lobby in Ottawa.

This kiosk concept was part of my fourth year final project. I worked with stakeholders in the city’s planning department and OC transpo to develop an automated kiosk to be used at existing transitway stations.

The design had to accommodate current technology and worked in a variety of extreme weather and user conditions. I researched and sourced components like a custom network hub, thermal printing and weatherproof keyboard. This project won an award from the Dean of Engineering and Design given to innovative projects designed by Carleton University students.

These information kiosks were commissioned by Heritage Canada to be used in the lobby of government buildings to provide information on government services and events.

This is a mobile reception desk to be used at tradeshows. It can be wheeled around and adjusted to fit multiple users

An internal view of the reception desk featuring assembly views from production drawings

This project required the design and construction of a set of archival cabinets meant to display and store sensitive documents and books from the National gallery collection. The design features a simple plywood construction built in such a way to regulate humidity and off-gassing. A special piston driven mechanism was also designed to allow a single person to open the main case with ease. The outside structure is finished with cherry wood veneer to match the library surroundings.

Transport Canada needed a custom cabinet to be used in the lobby of their main office to showcase departmental information and promotional items. Two identical units were designed and fabricated.

They feature a horizontal and a vertical display showcase with storage capacity. The horizontal showcase is mounted to drawer glides for easy access. Hidden casters help to move the unit around for maintenance.

This display case was designed to store a computer and store company brochures and literature.

As set of tech drawings showing details of the construction for the display case

A custom display case featuring a plexiglass case and storage. The unit comes apart for easy transportation inside a crate.

A custom mahogany laminate table to store and display maps for a housing developing company.

sample for onsite fabrication of a custom museum fixture

This concept of a game unit would use sand and remote control toys to create a fun environment for kids waiting at an airport lounge.

Concept for a playhouse to beset up at a waiting lounge for the Ottawa Airport

A custom table designed to be mass produced for the hockey hall of fame

This unit was designed as a prototype for a custom photo booth to be used at special promotional events.

This image shows a diagram of the proposed user interface for the photo booth. In this case the user would follow instructions on a tablet inside the unit to take a photo and print a set of pictures to be shared on the spot.

concept rendering for photo booth design

concept rendering for photo booth design

concept rendering for photo booth design

concept rendering for photo booth design

concept rendering for photo booth design

concept rendering for photo booth design

concept rendering for photo booth design

This rendering shows a concept for the design and layout of an ATM machine.

As a sponsor of the Montreal NHL arena. Hydro Quebec commissioned this Zamboni model as part of a game to be used during half time.

The premise is to have the user sit in the unit, which is placed on center ice, and through a computer interface play a simulation video game that is displayed on the arena scoreboard.

The model is used as a platform where a steering and monitor units are installed and can be adjusted to fit both children and adults.

Concept rendering for planters to be used at the annual tulip festival in Ottawa

flowerbed concept made of wood and recyclable plastic panels

another concept model using platforms to display temporary flower beds. The design would be disassembled after the event for easy transport and storage

Product Design
Product Development

These innovative light scones use images mounted to Plexiglas panels showing portraits of faces in black and white.

The Torchlight Awards are an annual event hosted by the City of Ottawa to honour community service. For this project, the city commissioned an award concept to be handed out at the event. The final concept makes use of the event's logo, a flame, as its central focus. A tea candle is placed inside to add an element of motion to the sculptural piece.

This project examines the use of multipurpose bicycle platform. It is meant as a cheap transportation alternative for less developed countries.

The image above shows the addition of a motorcycle option to create a hybrid vehicle.

The basic structural shape is made of a roto-formed "scoop" with self-expanding foam on the inside to add rigidity. This basic form can be adapted using local materials and hardware into different configurations.

This water container concept uses a simple seal mechanism that uses atmospheric pressure to dispense water.

The container is refilled through an access panel at the bottom of the base.

Hydro Quebec commissioned the construction of this temporary structure. It was fitted with space heaters used to warm people enjoying winter activities in Montreal. The aluminum tubing structure represent an igloo.

The biggest challenge was to figure out a production schedule and method of assembly in frigid conditions.

The floor stage is made from interconnected custom platforms that form a circular stage.

This 3D model of an emergency mask was developed as a concept to allow users to breathe in a smoke filled corridor via a small oxygen tank. The canister can be replaced after use and the mask canbe processed and re-tasked.

The idea for this project was to create a portable unit that uses condensation to purify water and collects it in a central reservoir.

The design allows easy packing and setup, is lightweight and can be easily scaled.

The unit is meant to be used in rural communities that have minimal access to infrastructure and need a way to extract potable water from undrinkable sources.

The idea of this project is to provide an emergency supply of power by using the water current of a nearby stream or river.

The power unit is designed to be used out the box with minimal setup and limit the impact on river fish and wildlife.

A turbine assembly spins as water rushes through it providing the necessary power which is then transmitted through a line to battery storage.

This is a conept for a business card holder to be CNC cut out of a sheet of thin aluminium. The shapes are optimized to minimize waste
Reverse Engineering & 3D Scanning

Working with the university of Lethbridge AB, the purpose of this project was to calibrate long range satelite LIDAR meausurements of forest canopies using ground based 3D point cloud data of smaller plants.

Working in conjunction with researchers at Yale University, I developed classroom training sessions on the use and application of laser scanning technology. The objective of this project was to digitize objects in their permanent collection in order to build a digital archive for future research applications.

A sample project of an inspection of a medical components using 3D scan point data and CAD reference models

One of the key applications of 3D scanning is to inspect production parts for quality control. As an application specialist I developed best practices and procedures to capture point-clouds and compare the datasets to existing CAD models. I then used 3D analysis software to generate dimensional color maps, cross sections and GD&T callouts.

The objective of this project was to scan and digitize a set of historical objects from former Professor Wim Gilles, an instructor at the School of Industrial Design at Carleton University. The work was commissioned by the Design Museum in Denmark as a way to digitize and archive historical objects.

The process of reverse engineering involves capturing complex geometry using a 3D scanner to generate a point-cloud. Using software tools, polygon models can be extracted and converted into surface models that can be used and edited in CAD software or sent to a 3D printer.

The city of Quebec required a digital scanning survey of an archaeological of a road site near the current train. The purpose of this study was to obtain a cross section sample of the various road layers in order to digitize them and recreate them using 3D software.

Scanning strata layers inside the city walls

setting up and calibration of equipment

the site excavation was located at the southern gate near the train station

excavation view next to the city walls

construction crew and excavation of site next to our location

Media & Communications
Web and Digital Media

Southbound provides retirement solutions for people who want to retire in Mexico. This website was designed as part of an online marketing strategy to promote information seminars targeting prospective clients. The site was made in three days using web-based tools that are easily updated and edited by the client.

This innovative tourist service combines historical walking tours with digital technology to give participants a glimpse of the history as they walk to different sites throughout the city. The tour uses an e-tablet to show archival images and documents that enhance the tour experience. A website and online booking portal was designed, featuring online tools for ease of booking and registration.

This custom web project was meant to promote a local artist and her line of creative jewelry. My knowledge of web projects is based on HTML programming and coding was used to design a robust site that is quick to load and does not require too many plug-ins.

I was able to deliver value and convenience at minimal cost for this public event by using web tools to automate registration, collect survey data, distribute schedules, and sell tickets online.

CARMA was a short film project shot in the summer of 2006. The movie focuses on good and bad luck after a driver splashes a pedestrian on the street. I produced and directed this short film and managed logistics such as rentals, permits and volunteers.

This objective of this project was to shoot and edit a series of marketing videos showcasing use and applications of 3D scanning technology. The entire project was shot on a shoestring budget using a handheld digital camera, and careful planning of lighting and setups to obtain professional looking results.
Print, Sketches and Signs

These reports covers were designed as part of a document package used to showcase documents used for government proposals.

this image was made as part of a display for a public service union. It combined images from provided by the clients into one photo collage

This was a re-vamped version from an old product catalog. A two page 8.5x11 brochure was designed and used at trade shows to promote the new line of garden products.

This sample layouts show text and image arrangements for new product catalogs

The Independent Film Co-Operative of Ottawa commissioned a set of banners to be used as promotional graphics for their annual events.

A design for a sports team logo used at fro a tournament

a set of technical drawings for a custom light sconce concept

This is an example of one of the many technical drawing i have created showing details for the construction of a custom kiosk.

Another set of digital images assembled into a collage into an art piece

Samples from my print and illustration using acrylic paints, the one on the bottom was used as a mural for cafe

Corporate slide presentation showcasing current and past company projects

Multimedia art pieces experiments with intaglio printing techniques and watercolours

concept board for a sunglass display

concept sketches for a portable display

ideation sketches for a hand tool

ideation sketches for a hand tool

ideation sketches for a hand tool

ideation sketches for OC Transpo kiosk concept

life drawing in charcoal and ink

samples of various posters and graphics

art piece and sketches using pen and pencil techniques

Policy Resarch & Project Management
Program Evaluation & Policy Analysis

This paper analyses the history and development of biometric technology along with the social and political ramifications of implementing digital security measures

The objective of this research proposal is to answer questions as to why minorities in Canada are less likely to choose a career in the Canadian Military. The report outlines the reasoning and methodology to conduct a series of interviews that would shed light on attitudes and beliefs of various cultural groups.

The purpose of this study was to look at a range of attitudes and opinions related to marriage by three sample groups. The objective was to see how cultural variables influence opinions by testing statistical correlation of collected data sets from a world wide survey on cultural and lifestyle choices.

This document is an example of a question period note which was prepared to prepare ministers on important issues of the day that might come up during parliamentary debates.

The need to sell consumer goods in a post-war economy prompted governments to push for policies that supported design activities; however, by the 1980s the trend reversed and policy moved away from direct interventions. This paper explores the roots of Canada’s national design policy rise and demise in the government’s agenda.

The mobile nature of air travel, added cost and privacy concerns place limits on the types of security measures that the general public and administrators will accept. The objective of this paper is to analyze some of the issues related to security at airports, with particular attention to the policy of behavioral profiling.
Project Implemetation Plans

This document is an example of a ministerial recommendation based on format used by the Government of Canada. The document suggests adoption of a new innovation policy based on conditional grants, performance indicators and a new federal body to coordinate innovation policies across jurisdictions.


SIFT required a project manger to develop and coordinate a van shuttle program for guests and VIP. The service would run for five days and would require drivers to make multiple runs amongst various locations in town. A master project plan was developed to identify potential bottlenecks and contingency scenarios, ensuring passenger safe and on time travel even on hectic and changing traffic conditions.

CARMA is an independent film project I wrote, produced and directed. I coordinated site permits, grant proposals, production schedules, casting auditions, shooting budgets and contingency plans. The result was a 15 minute short shot on digital video

As a member of the Independent Film Co-Operative of Ottawa (IFCO) I prepared a marketing strategy meant to increase media reach for their annual film screening event.

This sample of a project implementation plan incorporates principles of risk management, contracting and work breakdowns structures. It outlines the procedure and conditions required from subcontractors to build an expansion wing of a commercial building.