Design
and Styling
Gyro
2000, USA:
Rare First Flight Video
The
award winning Ikenga line of Autogyro's were conceived and developed by David Gittens as kit
assembled aircraft to be marketed for utility applications in
Third World countries, and for sports recreation flying in the
US, Japan, and Europe.
Ikenga Motorcars, UK:
Ikenga design group highlighted David Gittens concept, design, and prototype development of experimental
high performance GT motorcars, micro-sized inner-city vehicles, and single seat transporters powered by gas and electric motors. All were test beds for electronic and mechanical innovation; some of which preceeded the conventional auto industry by two decades.
EZ
Bird Paramotor, USA:
Entry level minimal structure low speed aircraft designed as minimal
cost, easy to assemble sports and recreation vehicles. This aircraft can be transported on the roof of a automobile,
utilizes a parasail as its wing, and is powered by a 35hp two-stroke
engine.
Complex-D,
UK:
Acrylic products and furniture design. The centerpeice of this program were a voice actuated
and electronically driven robotic furniture modules that responded to the voice; each module carrying different computer hardware at a time in the 1960s when computers were cumbersome. The prototype for this series was featured in the Dr. Who television series as the desk of the main character..
Playtoy/Storage
Modules:
Grant
from the State of California to design kit-built playtoy modules and storage
units for Mendocino county preschools and elementary schools .
23
foot Catamaran: USA
The Ikenga/BRR, marine ply and composite prototype catamarin,
was powered by a 50hp outboard motor. It was designed and built
in Mendocino, California in the mid-1970s. Measuring twenty three feet in length with a twelve foot beam, it featured a nine by
twelve foot cabin, outdoor deck, and F-104 wing tanks for flotation. Conceived, designed and built to be marketed as a kit
assembled houseboat using recycled materials, the project was completed
with support from the US Navy Almeda California Air Station staff and the staff of both Mendocino High School, Mendocino Middle
School, and local businesses.
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Naran
Hak, Korea:
The
concept, ideation, and design of this two person, side by side,
Autogyro was commissioned by a Korean multinational for assembly
in Asia. To
be powered by a Arrow or Hirth aircooled engine, the aircraft featured
a prerotator for jump takeoff. Naran Hak was targeted towards worldwide
distribution and sales as a kit built aircraft.
Solarwind,
USA:
Living above the Earth, Solarwind is a proof-of-concept
design probe for a minimal structure, Suzuki powered, semi-rigid
dirigible visioned as a flying and living environment. It was to
be constructed and tested in Mendocino, California. The aircraft
featured a twelve-foot diameter living space . . . fondly refered
to as a yogi nest.
Zip,
USA:
Concept
and development of a minimal structure, friction drive, hand portable
inner city vehicle. The
Scootboard project featured both petrol and electric vehicles and the prototypes were debuted at the 1984 International Bike Show at New York's Coliseum.
Dwij
Veena, USA:
Design and development of twenty-two and twenty-three stringed
fretless guitars that are inspired by the Sarode, an Afgani and
Northern Indian instrument made popular in the west by maestro Ali
Akbar Khan. The
Talisman CD is my first recording of this instrument which you can
hear on this link: dwij-music
Manatee,
USA:
Manatee is a proof of concept minimal structure
gas and electric trike designed for short range and inner city commuting. New technology, the compressed air
motor and 250mpg gas engines as power sources, offer great breakthroughs. I am seeking R&D start-up investment for prototype development.
Scootboard,
USA:
Design
and manufacturing of hand-portable gas and electric motorized
scooters as an alternative for inner city commuting. Created
as a transportation solution to the 1980 NYC transit strike,
and manufactured in Santa Fe, NM, Scootboard was featured
in a March 26, 1984 issue of The New Yorker magazine titled
"On The Street."
Children's
Furniture, USA:
Concept
and Design: A series of unique automobile styled children's
furniture created for national distribution by an Albequerque,
New Mexico based manufacturing group. The
series featured the re-creation of popular American cars
as beds, night tables, and bureaus; models and styles were
created for boys and girls.
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Photography and Graphics
New York - London - Milan
Photography studio servicing clients in the United States, England and Europe
including Celanese, The British Milk Board, BOAC, Marks & Spencer Group, Vauxhall Automobile Company, BMC
Automobile Group, Trivera, Austin Reed, Vogue Magazine, Elle Magazine, Women's Own, Revlon,
Westminister Bank, ICI Fibers, British Eagle, Car & Driver, General Electric Corp., London Times Publication, Jaguar Automobile Group, and Ford Motor Company.
Paintings:
Inspirational Art
Water colors and pen and ink original art
and limited editions. These powerful and insightful visuals, a journey into the world of visionary
and inspirational art, open the heart and mind to the wonder of the mystical realm and other
dimensions of the psyche.
Internationally:
Advertising, graphics, and illustration for a wide array of clients
including the Interpublic Group, J. Walter Thompson, Grey Advertising, The New York Visitor and Convention Bureau, The Long Walk,
International Women's Day, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, and Ford Motor
Corp, UK. Commissions
includes graphic design and illustrations for books, magazines,
poster art, CD art, and concept ideation and development for film
and digital video projects.

Creative Consultant:
Servicing businesses requiring renewed, and visually impactful corporate
image, logo design, ad campaigns, television spots, and PSA's. Working with
a creative team that includes art, copy writing, and marketing specialists
assures success in the targeted market.
Website
Design:
Consulting, ideation, design and development
of websites and online marketing assistance. As the publication
of www.dwij.org has connected us with many talented designers
and, IT professionals, we are able to bring together an impressive team
to develop beautiful and impactful web marketing tools for you and your project(s).


Internet
Publication:
www.dwij.orgThe
concept for our Internet magazine is an outgrowth of
Sarasota 2K, a two-day millennium presentation on December 30th / 31st., 1999 at Phillippi Estate Park in Sarasota, Florida.
The publication reflects my vision and intention to launch a community
based educational website with a focus on networking as a service
to people of all ages; in many cultures, and with topics of importance
on a wide variety of subjects.
The
concept was launched in 2000 by David Gittens, with Linda Maree as editor and David Grace as website consultant. It has been sustained
over the years by volunteers and through financial and equipment donations by many in the
community. With the changes in website technology since its inception dwij.orgis now due for a facelift.
CD Design:
Consulting,
ideation, design and production laision with clients who include
recording artists, musicians, and sound studios. Depending
on reqirements these projects have been simply conceptual in nature with the support of the finest CD manufacturing groups for
follow-up through production, audio engeering, printing and CD delivery.
May my life be fed
By my heart's
Sunrise-beauty
——Sri Chinmoy |
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Community
Projects
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click
image for gallery |
"Only
Hearts:"
An art/peace project featuring drawings and
wisdom-words of over three thousand Sarasota, Florida students.
This project is now being used by educators around the world and can
be downloaded into the classroom, community center, or home.
United
Nations:
Commission to design and build the NY General Assembly stage set for
the United Nations 50th anniversary celebration.

Sarasota
2K:
Concept,
design and production of a two-day community healing arts, visual
arts, and performance arts festival in Sarasota,
Florida; elebrating the millennium
from a viewpoint of peacemaking, theater, ritual and ceremony.
Smithsonian/NASM:
Designer and facilitator of an Interactive creativity seminar for Washington
D.C. and Virginia youngsters. Presented by the Smithsonian
National Air and Space Museum at their Garber Facility.
Interfaith Center:
Concept, designing, scoring and production of the Gift of Spring
Easter performance presentation in New York City.
UNICEF Grant:
Concept, design, development and construction of a solar heated community shower
system in Santa Catarina Palopo, a Mayan village on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, CA.
Girls Incorporated:
Design and construction, with Dan Cormany of the Ringling College of Art, a road-portable "Ropes Course" to benefit youngsters in the Sarasota community.
Selby
Botanical Gardens:
Designer, producer, of the Marie Selby Garden's
Winter Solstice presentation feature at their Lights in Bloom Christmas
holiday celebration.
The Giving Tree:
Concept, design and production of a two day community arts, performance,
and healing arts festival. Albuquerque, NM.
Government Grant:
Design and implementation of a fund raising project for Mayan schools
in Chubruna Puerto, Mexico. Project funded by the Government of Yucatan.
Institute
of Noetic Sciences:
Concept, design, presentation, and facilitator of creativity workshops for this organizations national conference in Florida.
Opening
meditation and musical presencing with Tibetan bowls and the debut
of Dwij Veena; a 22-string fretless guitar design.
Zia
Wings:
Design of Autogyro flight training and flight safety seminars for
new and seasoned gyroplane pilots. Albuquerque and Espanola, NM
Smithsonian/Lemelson
Center:
Designer and facilitator of a hands-on creativity exploration workshop
for middle school teachers at the Smithsonian National Museum of
American History in Washington, DC
Drum Song:
Research Project: Discovering the benefits and effects of drumming and rhythm
on seniors and advanced Alzheimer's patients. Sarasota, FL
Harvest
of Gratitude:
Design and production of a multi-cultural
arts and entertainment autumn equinox presentation. Highlighting
the talents of students and seniors, this event
was presented at the Players Theatre and featured a concert by North
Indian guitar master Debashish Bhattacharya. Sarasota, FL.
Seamen's
Institute:
Creation, design, organization and presentation of a three-day Seamen Institute's Christmas holiday crafts and performance arts festival.
Manhattan, NY
World
Game Presentation:
Member of steering committee that introduced
and facilitated R. Buckminster Fuller's World Game to the Santa
Fe, NM community.
Sarasota Florida Global March for Obama/Biden:
Designer and coordinator of promotionals and advertising for the project, and steering
committee member.

Santa
Fe Children's Museum:
Concept,
design, planning, and construction of the Kinetic Sculpture
Donors Mural for the Santa Fe, New Mexico Children's Museum.
A feature of the installation was motorized, time phased,
components.
Nassau Guardian
Newspaper:
Redesigning this newspapers supplement. The creation of
a feature segment and article on playground development
and its projected impact on Bahamian school children in
Nassau.
The
Whale School:
Playground design/construction for an alternative school
in Albion, CA. Funded in part by the Georgia Pacific Corporation.
Images
& Voices of Hope:
Steering committe member and musical
presenter at the IVH presentation at the Van Wezel Performing
Arts Center, Sarasota, FL.
The
I Am Center:
Designer and coordinator of Talisman, an autumn equinox
concert featuring instrumentals, poetry, and vocals. Sarasota, FL.
TEDxSarasota: TEDx+5
Experimental
Musical Collaboration:
An improvisational salon presentation bringing together five
musicians from diverst musical backgrounds.
Sponsored by New College of Florida.
Ureuk
World Music House - Grant:
Artist
in Residence: South Korean presentation of music and the introduction
of the "Only Hearts" Art/Peace project to students
in Chungju, South Korea.
Video:
https://youtu.be/PK6465_j5hI
Article:http://ragazine.cc/2017/11/david-gittenss-korea-mon-amour |
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Awards
and Distinctions
Distinction: Ikenga MK ll
Rare
Video of Ikenga MK II
1968
- Ikenga MK II was featured in a film produced and directed
by Mike Margets and Malcolm Hart and was the Car and Driver
cover story of April 1969. Designed by David Gittens and constructed
by Charles Williams, the MK II vehicle was featured in The
London Times Magazine and was debuted in a special exhibit
at Harrod's of London in sync with the British Auto Show at
Earls Court.
Distinction: Ikenga MK lll
Rare
Video of Ikenga MK III
Motorsport
UK Ikenga retrospective
1969
- Ikenga
MK III GT motorcar was debuted in a feature
program on future concepts in motorcars in October 1969 on
BBC's Tomorrow's World television program.
1969
- November introduction of the McLaren based Ikenga MK III GT motorcar to European entusiasts at the
Italian International Motor Show in Turin, Italy
1970
- Ikenga MK III - Featured automobile design at the Pico Troberg
Swedish International Motor Show, Stockholm, Sweden.
Awards:
Ikenga 530Z
Permanent
Collection: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
1988 - Debut: Grand Champion Rotorcraft trophy at the
1988 Albuquerque International Air Show in Albuquerque, New Meico.
1988
- Best New Design in Rotorcraft trophy presented at the PRA International
Rotorcraft Convention in Middletown, Ohio
1988
- Reserve Grand Champion Rotorcraft trophy presented at the Experimental Aircraft Associations Osh
Kosh, 1988 International Air Convention. Osh Kosh, WI.
Award:
Ikenga Cygnus 21T
1989 - Grand Champion Rotorcraft plaque awarded to Cygnus 21T at
the Albuquerque International Air Show, New Mexico.
Award:
Ikenga Cygnus 21TX
1990 - Grand Champion Rotorcraft plaque awarded Cygnus 21TX at the Albuquerque International
Air Show, New Mexico.
Distinction:
Cygnus 21P1
Debut in Japan:
The Ikenga Cygnus 21P1 autogiro was commissioned and built for Sumitomo Heavy Industries as a recreational kit-built aircraft. It was unveiled at the
Sky Sports Japan Airshow in Ikegawa, Japan, early November 1989.
Distinction: Ikenga Cygnus 21P2
Permanent exhibit at the G-WIZ Sciene and Tehnology Museum in Sarasota,
Florida since 2004, Cygnus 21P2 is the second of two autogiros to be commissioned
by Sumitomo Heavy Industries of Japan.
Presentation:
Mitsiu. LTD.
Making Dreams Real: A hands-on experential creativity workshop presentation
and lecture given to the researchers at the Mitsui Advanced Technology
Center in Chiba, Japan.
Exhibit:
Ikenga MK lll
McLaren based,
170mph GT. Permanent Collection of Manx Automotive Museum in England.
Featured at the 1969 Turin International Motor Show and in 1970
at the Swedish International Motor Show in Stockholm.
Exhibit: Ikenga 530Z
Permanent Collection of the Smithsonian National Air
and Space Museum. Washington, DC. Winner of many awards including; the 1980 Reserve Grand Champion at the Osh Kosh International
Air convention, Best New Design in Rotary Wing Aircraft award
at the PRA International Convention, and Grand Champion Rotorcraft at the Albuquerque International Air Show.
Award:
D.O.G
Dynamic Oscillating Gizmo
(DOG): Codesigner and team member. Winner of Santa Fe, New Mexico's
first annual Kinetic Sculpture Race.
Exhibit: Kinetic Donors Mural.
Concept, design and construction of the Donors Mural; a permanent exhibit of the Santa Fe Children's Museum, Santa Fe, NM.
Exhibit: Scootboard
Hand portable transportation invented during the New York City transit
strike and featured in the New Yorker Magazine, and the Black Inventors
Museum.
Manufacturing and feasibility study undertaken with Honda
and Act, Inc. of Japan for distribution in the United States.
Distinction:
Grant
- Artist in Residence:
Foundation Karolyi Vence, France. Mixed media assemblage art exhibit of found/recycled materials.
Distinction:
Recipient of the Cherokee Golden Eagle Feather for community service.
Sarasota, FL
Distinction:
Past consultant and illustrator for the Lemelson Center of Invention
and Innovation at Washington DC's Smithsonian Institution.
Distinction:
State of Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator; retired.
Distinction:
The Order of Melchizedek
Ordained Priest, Counselor and Wedding Officiant.
Distinction:
Recipient
of the Aviation Pioneer plaque for contributions in the
field of rotary wing aircraft development.
April/2003:
Presenter of A Dream
to Fly; A paper on the vision and development of the
Ikenga 530Z Autogiro: International Conference on the Autogiro,
Hofstra University.
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