Expertise
Through my experience I have had the opportunity to work at various levels within the product design process from high level design strategy to the smallest of critical details. Every project has its own set of requirements and risks that need consideration, dependant on the context of the product. As a designer, I find it critical to understand the big picture of a product in order to meet goals and project expectations, including key stakeholders, brand identity (if one exists), business goals as well as marketing and distribution strategies.
This sets the tone of the product lifecycle and unlocks affordances for design exploration and opportunities for innovation. I believe that design is a dialogue between all stakeholders involved – clear and consistent communication between all parties involved from the outset is vital to a successful project. I work closely with my clients in order to understand their vision and guide them through the design process, helping to manage risk and deliver design that meets or exceeds their expectations. I am competent at executing work in the following roles:
Understanding your business; asking the right questions and getting to the core design requirements of your project to open up new opportunities for innovation.
Working with brand and marketing teams, media designers and engineers or industry specific experts where required to make your project a success.
Market research and competitor analysis; end-user assessment; investigating regulations, standards and directives; identifying appropriate components, technologies and manufacturing methods.
Developing ideas into feasible product concepts through sketching, creating mock-ups, conceptual CAD models and 3D renderings. Looking at product architecture, form development and ergonomics.
Taking concepts into detailed mechanical design using CAD, resolving mechanisms and de-risking product details. Generating files for prototyping, 3D printing and proof of concept evaluation and validation. Material investigation and specification. Exploring and finalising colours and finishes.
Finalising product details and preparing CAD files for manufacture, generating engineering drawings, manufacturing and assembly data packs. Initiating tooling and/or part manufacture and inspecting sample runs.
Engaging with manufacturers and suppliers to establish reliable working relationships and understanding technical constraints, quality expectations, costs and timescales.
Aligning stakeholders with a cohesive vision, expectations and deliverables to achieve project goals.
Industry experience
I have gained experience in designing products for a variety of industries from homewares and electronic products through to automotive design. See the below industry areas I have experience designing for and examples thereof.
I have worked on a variety of different consumer products requiring specific material, colour and finish requirements as well as drop and IP protection. I have also been involved in the design of the interfaces for numerous products where user centred design and experience design considerations are paramount to the products' success. Some of these include baby monitors, payment terminals and mobile phone products to name a few.
Designing for healthcare products can be a whirlwind of regulatory and quality requirements. I have helped clients navigate this space in order for their products to meet requirements and be realised.
Furniture and homewares with an elegant and functional appeal, styled with sensitivity to make efficient and clever use of materials and textures.
With a strong focus on meeting specifications, I approach the design of industrial products to optimise functionality and usability while integrating aesthetics that are fitting to the context.
During a period in my career I was involved in the design of multiple public kiosk projects and have a good understanding of this space and how to design pleasing enclosure structures that are sturdy, easy to assemble and maintain as well as cost effective.
I have been involved in an number of products in the military sector, both conceptual and final product offerings such as mission control workstations and lab testing equipment respectively.
I have been involved in a number of telecoms projects where I worked on keypad and enclosure designs for desktop telephones and other telecoms related enclosures.
Most of my work in this space has been conceptual and research based. Apart from vehicle interior design I have also designed pedal powered vehicles and electric golf buggies. I have also built a custom Lotus 7 replica.
Manufacturing and materials
A good understanding of manufacturing processes and materials is essential when deciding how a product goes from idea to final product. I have an in-depth knowledge of how to design for the following processes and how to identify the appropriate materials and methods for your product so it meets the requirements. Along with this knowledge comes the consideration for product architecture and assembly methods which is integral to the design process and with which I am thoroughly acquainted. I am excited to explore new avenues as the need for different materials and methods arise through my work. Below are some of the processes I am well acquainted with:
Injection moulding
From basic parts to more complex geometry, I have a thorough knowledge of designing for injection moulding and of taking a design through the tooling process.
Sheet metal fabrication
I have designed numerous components and enclosures out of sheet metal for CNC punching and laser cutting, complex developments and miniature components for precision electronics.
Machining and turning
Whether in metal or plastic, for prototyping or production, I’ve designed for these processes.
Thermoforming
From packaging materials for blister packs to solid surfaces for interiors.
Flatbed cutting and routing
From structural paper sheet products, plastic sheet materials or wood, making use of either CNC knife cutting, routing or laser cutting.
3D printing
I make use of various additive manufacturing techniques where and when they are applicable to a project. I have experience in choosing the appropriate method and materials for the right application and designing to achieve the best results from each.
Composites
I have experience in working with GRP and RIM for large and small scale components.
Casting
Vacuum casting, investment casting, sand casting and high pressure die casting.
With onsite 3D printing (FDM), laser cutting and flatbed CNC machinery and a well-equipped workshop I am able to develop mock-ups and prototypes with a short turnaround to explore, learn and develop ideas fast and gain valuable insights. Alternatively I use external partners for other prototyping services.
Tools and software
Below are some of the regular tools I make use of for executing my projects, the frequency and necessity of which depends on the project. The bar is and indicator of my proficiency / frequency of use.
Traditional -
Pencil, pen, marker etc.
Digital sketching -
Ipad pro apps - new skill
CAD -
Creo Parametric
Visualisation -
Keyshot
Adobe suite -
Illustrator, Photoshop
Microsoft office suite -
Powerpoint, Excel, Word, Project
Hand prototyping -
Building, modelling, shaping
Machine prototyping -