Chad Gombes

Established in 2008, Mint Project is an Industrial Design based agency, creating consumer products that communicate effective product uniqueness, brand vision, and market innovation. Through proven product designs, development & manufacturing execution, and product marketing planning strategies, MINT offers creative yet targeted solutions for a variety of clients in the footwear, apparel, outdoor, packaging/graphics, branding, and creative marketing direction arenas.

Hemingway Footwear, a high-end men's handcrafted footwear brand inspired by the American icon, Ernest Hemingway. With branded positioning, superior product design, strategic market development and planned execution, a private capital raise of $2M dollars was achieved during a 12-month period. Through established personal & professional relationships in manufacturing, development, and sourcing supply chains throughout Latin America, Brazil, Mexico, and India, product was produced to the highest standards of quality and attention to detail. The launch of the brand in June 2010 garnered national media attention from GQ, Esquire, The New York Times, The New Yorker, and multiple men's media platforms.

Directed and managed the footwear design staff through all elements of the product design process, while responsible for advanced concept creation/integrity, market trend forecasting, and development initiatives for the Sole Technology brands: Etnies Men's and Women's, Es' Footwear, Emerica Footwear, 32 Snowboard Boots, and Etnies Sandals.

Directed and executed the design direction of product lines, creative direction for marketing/advertising planning, and footwear development process. Directed seasonal development of product lines and managed development staff in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil. Re-established the brand identity of Trotters Footwear line while establishing a progressive design vision for the established consumer across all marketing, retail and media channels.