Tag: Employment

‘Design Plumbing’: an insight into the life of Product Design alumni Matt Hulbert

Matt Hulbert; BA Hons (First Class), MSc

Having graduated from Teesside University’s prestigious Product Design course in 2010, I found myself working within the exciting world of commercial design just three months after graduation. I joined a team of like minded designers at E3Design in Newcastle, where we worked on many household products that millions of people still use daily. At E3 we considered ourselves to be ‘Design Plumbers’ – called in at any point within the design cycle to assist in which ever way we were required to do so. Every day we were met with new challenges, whether it was to re-engineer a specific type of valve for costing down purposes or the conceptualisation and production of specialist laboratory equipment, no task was too big or too small. I am a big believer that Product Design is a creative extension of problem solving, and to be successful within the industry it’s more important that you develop a plethora of skills. My time at Teesside helped me to do just that, we were encouraged not only to develop our drawing, CAD and model making skills but importantly to ask questions and constantly address problems and apply creative thinking to overcome them.

It’s this core skill set that helped me to find my place in the industry and then go on to successfully design and launch my own invention, a digital golf training aid called TALON.  In 2014 I left E3 (whom I continue to work closely with) and started Ojee Golf Ltd with my father, Paul. The last three years I’ve been fortunate enough to embark on an incredible journey, we successfully crowdfunded the TALON on Indiegogo selling 178 TALON units to 20 different countries. We’ve raised more than £150K in funding and were invited to Orlando and Shanghai to help promote UK business.

One of my greatest achievements to date has been realigning with Teesside University on the very course that I graduated from just seven short years ago, only this time as a part-time lecturer. I owe a great deal of gratitude to the University, the course and the lecturers so it feels good to play a part in the future of the course. If I can help to instil the same design values in today’s students that I learnt during my years on the course than it will give them everything they need to help pave their way into a successful design career.

All aboard at Cannes

Product Design graduate Mārtiņš Ēlerts, who now works for Dixon Yacht Design in Southampton, has just got back from the Cannes Yachting Festival where the new Sealine C430 motor boat was unveiled.

“This is not the first boat that I have worked on to hit the water, but it is the first project where I had the privilege to see the entire development process. From the beginning, the very first sketch, initial CAD model, all the way to a finished boat moored up at the Cannes Yachting Festival. My main role in this project was to build the exterior CAD model, which was then further developed by our team of engineers and naval architects.”

 

It’s a fairly rapid design process, as most of the fine design features are created on the go. Some quick dirty 20 second sketch might happen every now and then, but usually all the different ideas are quickly modelled in 3D and agreed on, or dismissed, without ever touching a piece of paper or pencil. The main advantage is the ability to see and evaluate every idea from all angles in the correct proportions in the actual environment. Might not sound like the traditional design process, but it’s the reality of working in a small team, with short deadlines.”

 

“Now just have to wait for the chance to go on sea trials with the team.”

And here is a video of it on water
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1usynPl_zc

 

 

Tees Made in London 2017

Last week, during probably the hottest week of the year, Graduates of Product Design exhibited their work at the New Designers Exhibition.

New Designers, hailed as the most important design event in the UK, ensures the life cycle of the design industry continues and thrives. It provokes fresh thinking and kick-starts careers, providing a pipeline of young talent into one of the UK’s leading sectors.

Each year brings 3,000 graduate talents from the UK’s leading design courses to exhibit and showcase their work with the aim of networking and getting themselves noticed.

This year was arguably our most successful to date with plenty of interest for all the students and potential employment opportunities. One student, Ben Ryder, was selected as one of the top 20 show highlights from all those exhibiting by Innovate UK, the Knowledge Transfer Network.

Our students, through organised events and ‘live’ projects, and through sponsorship, raised funding for the exhibition.

Ben traces his journey to Dyson

Ben Russi, 25, who graduated from Teesside’s BA (Hons) Product Design and Industrial Transportation in 2012, is now working as a Design Engineer with Dyson, the company best known for it’s revolutionary vacuum cleaner design.

Originally from Saltburn, Ben, a former student at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough, met with students currently working on design projects as part of their degree studies.

He said: ‘I studied at Teesside University largely as it was so highly recommended to me by my college lecturer. It gave me a great grounding in product design and helped me to make up my mind about what I wanted to do.

‘It’s been great meeting the students and telling them about my journey since studying at Teesside and it’s been really good to speak to them about their own projects and ideas.

‘I really enjoyed my time at Teesside, so it’s been great to return and see all the reminders of being a student here. Speaking to the students too is a great reminder that just a few years ago I was one of them myself.’

Ben, who is now based in Wiltshire, joined Dyson in 2014 as a Graduate Design Engineer before moving into the role of Design Engineer.

He said: ‘It’s a great place to work, I’m inspired every day. The degree at Teesside helped to give me the confidence to apply and push for a role with such an innovative company.’

Tees Made in London 2016

New_Designers_2015_logo_orange

Last July, in the sweltering heat of London, students from product design exhibited their final project work at the New Designers Exhibition in Islington.

img_0877

img_0871 img_0872 img_0880

img_0909

New Designers allows students to showcase their work alongside fellow graduates from across the UK with the aim of getting themselves noticed and that first foot on the ladder, which will help shape their future.

img_0915 img_0917 img_0921 img_0929 img_0937

New Designers takes place every year at the Business Design Centre which was once the Royal Horticultural Hall. Over 3.500 graduates exhibited from institutes all across the UK.

img_0959

Funding for the exhibition was raised by the students, through organized events and ‘live’ projects, and through sponsorship.

Fun in the sun.

Great to see the Class of 2016 enjoying their graduation in the sun today.  It was probably a shade too hot but it certainly added too the day. There was a fantastic atmosphere in campus heart and throughout the University.IMG_2012 IMG_2014 IMG_2015 IMG_2016 IMG_2017

Also what a  pleasure it was to meet up with Product Design graduate John Barrett, who was here to receive an honorary doctorate from the University. John graduated in 1988, from the then Teesside Polytechnic, and is now President and Chief Executive Officer of US-based global design consultancy TEAGUE.

IMG_2007 IMG_2010

John gave a wonderfully inspiring speech, talking fondly about his time at Teesside and how the course helped to mould his hugely successful career.

IMG_2013

Good luck to all our graduates.

 

‘Live’ Projects

Projects with Industry

Year two are undertaking two live projects this year.

The first project is with our KTP partner, Godfrey Syrett Ltd, investigating a number of briefs for the Higher Education market and with “active learning” at its heart.
syrett
Degreasing metal components prior to assembly. Don’t worry, it’s only steam!
The second project is with Scandinavian kitchen manufacturing giant, Nobia.   Supporting the project with Nobia is one of our graduates, Emma Braham. Emma has been with the company for 2 years as a designer, frequently travelling throughout Europe and working with suppliers.
Nobia
Emma talks students through eco-kitchen designs at Nobia’s UK Design Centre.
Work on these projects is well underway and our students have benefited from some brilliant presentations at the companies’ respective premises, together with excellent factory tours.   We are all looking forward to seeing the fruition of these projects in the coming weeks.   Both companies have generously agreed to donate to our 3rd yrs New Designers Exhibition Fund.

Mentoring future designers

We recently held the 2nd of three mentoring sessions with year 12 and 13 students from The King’s Academy. 3rd year product design students gave help and advice with the development of their  college projects. As part of the visit they also had a digital illustration workshop where they learnt how to use PhotoShop as a rendering tool and produced some great work. The next session in early April will see the Kings Academy students bring in their final designs solutions in model form for a final critique.

IMG_1308

IMG_1310 IMG_1312 IMG_1314

A welcome return.

Last week we were delighted to welcome Tina Gray, Head of Innovation and Design at Mayborn Group , to the University. Tina gave a special guest lecture entitled “Working in Design, Perspectives from a leading design and manufacturing company”

Mayborn are best known for their Tommee Tippee brand which can be found in the major highstreet retailers.    Their feeding, weaning and monitoring products are used by parents and children around the world. Tina gave some insights into the Mayborn design and development process from briefing to production, and some of the issues that operate in this highly competitive market.Tina also discussed the skills and qualities that she looks for when recruiting designers.

After the lecture Tina spent the afternoon in the Product Design studio talking informally with students “one-to-one” and in small groups.

Tina and Mayborn are great friends of the course and it always pleasure to welcome our friends to give specialist lectures.

Tina_01

Students_01

Tina_02

New Designers 2016

The New Designers exhibition is one of the most important annual events for Design students, and a chance for students from across the nation to meet with industry figures and employers.  Held in the diverse London district of Islington at the Business Design Centre, the show offers students a chance to showcase their work and canvas ideas to a variety of Designers, buyers, trend predictors and members of the public.    The atmosphere and venue encourage curiosity and invite viewers to a whole range of different Design and Crafts related displays.

As of 2016, New Designers will have been going for 31 years – an established, and well recognized show to be sure.  The exhibition is supported by many Event and Media partners. These renowned establishments, such as The Design Trust, The Design Museum, Design Nation and Icon, are among many expected to be attending the coming show.

Held each year, usually in late June and early July, the exhibition is a regular spot for third year design students at Teesside University.  For some, this is a springboard opportunity to help launch their new careers, or begin to develop a contact network – invaluable in the field of Design.  Employers also look to find fresh talent among graduates, and many former Teesside students have been offered work placements and internships while displaying their work at the exhibition.  The exhibition also caters for younger students, with regular campaigns aimed at high school, A-level and college academics.  For younger students considering university level study, this is an excellent opportunity to meet tutors and graduates in person.

Picture1

Click the image above to see more Class of 2015 work at New Designers.

Here, we can see the previous third year’s finished stand at New Designers.  The location is prime, and although the show is supported by sponsors and partners, the price of our stand requires some fundraising and more than a little creative thinking.

You can read more at NewDesigners.