Competition Winner Zara visits headline sponsor

Zara’s summer just got better and better after being invited to visit the UK headquarters of DIP headline industry sponsor, Covestro.

To find out more about the visit click here.

DIP winner 2022

2nd Year Product Design student Zara King has claimed top prize in the 2022 Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) competition, with a re-usable bedpan.

DIP, supported by The Worshipful Company of Horners, the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and headline sponsored by Covestro, is the longest running plastics design competition of its kind for university undergraduates in the UK and Ireland.

Students were asked to design a product made primarily of plastics, for the healthcare sector, which can be used in demanding applications, but which also exploits the longevity of plastics.

Zara  designed EasyMode, a re-usable bedpan for a pulp liner to fit inside, providing a safe and comfortable base for people to use in any healthcare setting. The bedpan is moulded with a wide base so that it sits comfortably into the bed and presses down into the mattress, and when the patient is rolled off, it doesn’t tip.

 

Zara designed the product after hearing first hand from a nurse about the awkwardness of using existing bedpans, and the distress it often causes.

“She impressed the judges with her methodical approach to solving a major problem in the NHS,” he said.  “Her holistic approach incorporated both user and patient issues, to come up with a solution which met both needs.  She gave due consideration to sustainability, manufacturing and the materials used and has registered this product as her intellectual property, so that it is market ready, should she want to take it forward.”

Zara said: “Since entering this competition, I have enjoyed every moment, especially the  thought of helping people with a product I’ve designed. Healthcare is definitely a field I’d like to stay involved in.  This is one of the proudest moments of my life.”

Zara received a £1,000 cash prize, a placement with a DIP sponsor  an invitation to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet as a guest of the Worshipful Company of Horners.  Zara will also be given a year’s membership to the Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining (IOM3).

Product Design Alumni Talks 2022

Ben Russi: Lead Design Engineer, Dyson 

Teesside Product Design Graduate, Ben Russi will be giving a special guest lecture about his career to date.

Ben studied Product Design from 2009 – 2012.   During his time at Teesside, Ben undertook live projects for Nifco UK Ltd (Tees Valley) and Willerby Holiday Homes (Hull) which helped him to build the technical portfolio needed to successfully apply to Dyson.   Ben graduated from Teesside with a 1st class honors degree, going on to study for a Masters in Design Management.

On graduating, Ben went through a rigorous selection procedure and secured a position with the renowned manufacturer Dyson as a Design Engineer, where he has been for the last 8 years. Ben is now Lead Design Engineer.

Ben’s lecture will take us on a journey from graduation and subsequently gaining employment with a leading, innovative, design lead manufacturer.  Ben will also be discussing Dyson’s design philosophy and the exciting projects he has worked on over the years

 

A day in the life of…

1st in a series of product design alumni talks this morning and what a great way to start with 2015 graduate Martins Elerts all the way from Latvia. Martins talked about his work as project designer for Dixon Yacht Design. Fascinating insight into ‘day in the life of…’

Hot ‘n’ Cold

Last week 2nd Year Product Design students presented their final concept proposals to Ebac as part of a ‘live’ brief ‘ with the North East, design and manufacturing company. Senior Designer Engineer and Teesside Alumni , Clyde Pittaway, was delighted with the high standard of the presentations and the level of technical detailing.   The company are now reviewing the proposals.

 

Graduates deliver online masterclasses

This week members of the E3 Design Consultancy, all graduates from Teesside, delivered insightful online workshops in digital illustration, Solidworks and Keyshot sharing hints and tips picked up from working in the industry with our students.
For some years, Product Design has engaged with a professional design consultancy E3 Design, based in Newcastle, in the delivery of future facing, employment skills. Practitioners from the consultancy are involved in sharing their working practices and highlighting their experiences in a professional working environment.

3 years on… Lewis returns

Great to have Product graduate Lewis Brown back in the studios this morning. Lewis is a KTP Associate working with local specialist bathroom equipment supplier Nymas. He gave a talk about his career since graduating in 2018 and his work on the KTP project helping to embed a bespoke New Product Development function into at the company.

Good to see Lewis doing so well.

David Fox returns to Teesside

Thank you to David Fox for a fascinating insight into the world of furniture design. Our 2nd year Product students are looking forward to working on a brief set by David along with his support and knowledge.

Design Guest Lecture

David Fox is a Teesside University graduate of (BA) Hons Industrial Design and Design Director at David Fox Design Ltd

David graduated in 1996 and started his career as a designer for a tubular steel bedroom manufacturer in west Yorkshire. In 2002 he decided to pursue his own creative studio.

David Fox Design, is now a multi award winning industrial and product design studio. Their spectrum of product designs range from furniture, to bathroom basins, faucets, cabinet hardware, fabric and carpet design. International client base covers Belgium, Turkey, UK, Italy, Czech Republic, Canada, Poland & Spain.

David Fox Design, is now a multi award winning industrial and product design studio. Their spectrum of product designs range from furniture, to bathroom basins, faucets, cabinet hardware, fabric and carpet design. International client base covers Belgium, Turkey, UK, Italy, Czech Republic, Canada, Poland & Spain.

His award winning ‘Kruze’ chair for Boss Design can be seen on Match of the Day supporting the likes of Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer and also on the 4th floor of the Curve Building here at Teesside.