The future of Britain’s economy is perhaps under more scrutiny now than it ever has been – as the realisation that over reliance on the financial and service sectors is more than a little risky. There was perhaps a time when it was believed that the UK was not the place to build things any longer – but the recession seems to have altered that view.

It seems certain that future wealth creation will rely on what traditionally Britons have been very good at – innovation. Coming up with new product design ideas that fulfil a demand in the market can lead to long term job creation in various fields.

At Applied Product Design we believe strongly in UK design, and its ability to contribute a great deal to the economy. Whether products are built in the UK or overseas, the country will benefit in the end. If you have an idea you think meets an unmet demand, get in touch with us today.

One controversy that has dogged the new offering from Apple, though, is the suggestion that if the set is held a certain way, the antenna is covered, preventing reception. This could be a major stumbling block for the corporation, but in response, it seems to have been working on a patch that will correct the issue.

Problems of this kind are not uncommon in the world of product development, but it does demonstrate just how important testing new products is. While it might seem expensive, in the long run, being thorough could save a great deal of money. Here at Applied Product design we work hard to ensure such issues with new products do not happen. If you have an idea for a product that you think there’s a market for, get in touch with us today to see how we can help realise it.

The result is undeniably impressive – an appliance that seems to have the same aesthetic value as a piece of beautifully designed furniture. Combining the practical with the visually attractive is not always easy, but it seems that Samsung have done a good job here.

A key part of the design is the effect that the blue light has on those around the refrigerator; the designers sought to create a calming, energising feel to the fridge – something that such a humble kitchen appliance might not normally be associated with.

Here at Applied Product Design we also aim to combine aesthetics with functional design – something we have been doing for a very long a time and with substantial success. If you are developing an idea – or need help developing one – that you think fills a gap in the market, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

Among the hopefuls in last week’s special was Michael Killian, the inventor of a sideways bicycle. It was a magnificent machine in its own right, but he hadn’t put much thought into its application. It was a fun idea to be sure, but would it work in the market place? He had no idea, but to be fair he didn’t seem to care.

When asked what his plans were he replied: “I’m going to make bikes and sell them” – brilliant in its simplicity, but not what the Dragons wanted to hear. To the ire of his celebrity backer, Patrick Kielty, they sent him packing.

What this demonstrated what that good product design is not just about forming the idea and making a prototype; it’s about making sure it’s as good as it can possibly be and sufficiently cost-effective to make a profit.

There are plenty of inventors out there labouring in sheds all over the country and that is certainly a good thing. However, without paying attention to the whole process of product design, even the best ideas will remain unfulfilled.

The event is seen as the perfect opportunity for the manufacturers to unveil their new weapon of choice for the season ahead, with a whole host of sports and news journalists from around the world attending to get the first shots of the new machinery. Unfortunately for Ducati in 2010 Nicky Hayden inadvertently jumped the gun and gave the world’s press a sneak peak at the product design advances made with the new machine a few days prior to the launch by posting images on his personal website.

Nicky has already apologises to the management at Ducati and claiming that he just got a bit excited about the whole ordeal. Hayden said: “When I saw the bike I took a picture on my phone. I should have known better, I was like a kid.”

The team has now unveiled the bike so hopefully Hayden’s embarrassment will be short lived and the American can concentrate on having a productive and prosperous 2010 alongside team mate and 2007 World Champion, Casey Stoner.

The new Ducati features a variation on the GP09 model with the firm opting to head down the route of a big bang engine more similar to competitors Yamaha. The new configuration should effectively give the riders better traction out of the corners. Will it work? Only time will tell. The new season kicks off in Qatar on the 11th April.

Grule entered a competition at Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach and to her surprise she won, with her Polymorph design concept using diamond shaped modules that are linked together and allows for it to fold at the joins. Jörg Müller, part of Protomold, gave some helpful advice on manufacturing the product with the US, Germany, Japan and other European countries. Grule used the concept for her end of term show, using modules linked together that were made from milled polypropylene sheets.

In addition she used Protomold’s very own ProtoQuote and ProtoFlow analysis software, which was useful in optimising for fast injection moulding production. Recently Grule is pleased to have received her first batch of injection moulded modules, commenting that “It’s really like Lego…every part must be right so that they all fit together perfectly.”The modules she has received are stronger than the ones used in her show, with the notches being squared instead of rounded allowing for the joints to be bent in both directions unlike the prototype which could only be bent in one.

Grule’s design has since been featured in German design magazines and has used 150 injection moulded modules to produce a hanging lamp. Her work is to be displayed in Frankfurt, at the Euromold exhibition this December.

First prize went to Cocoon, 27-year-old design student Rickard Hederstierna’s new invention which ‘grows’ meat and fish from a pre-mixed food packet containing muscle cells, oxygen and nutrients.

The Star Trek-esque idea was billed as having the potential to tackle the world’s impending food crisis, as well as meaning less animals being slaughtered.

It’s a controversial idea, and not one that everyone’s going to be comfortable with. But the food developed would have the make-up and the nutrients of real meat.

Equally fascinating was the sun lounger that cleans your clothes for you while you sit back and relax. It runs negative ions through the grass on its surface, which prompts self-cleaning chemicals in the clothes.

The cleaning of clothes is the bane of many people’s life, and so it was good to see the two-second clothing steamer which cleans and irons garments. A true time-saving appliance of the future. Designer Louis Filosa, who’s 23 and from Chicago, said that he wanted to turn the family laundry day into a laundry second.

How brilliant! Any technology which makes for an easy life is good technology in my opinion!

Before his career in broadcasting took off he worked as an economist for the Institute for Fiscal Studies and London Business School’s Centre for Business Strategy. His expertise has demonstrated his strong abilities to make difficult issues available and accessible to the public. Vice Chancellor of Coventry University, Professor Madeleine Atkins comments “His contribution to financial journalism and the way he continues to make the most complicated issues accessible has not only made him a household name but also a respected authority on his subject.”

Dragon’s Den have shown much success of with viewing ratings going up each year and seeing many budding entrepreneurs see success even if they were not successful with the Dragons themselves. Levi Roots arrived for a book signing in Waterstone’s at the Eden Centre, High Wycombe this week, for the launch of his new book ‘Caribbean Food Made Easy’. Roots rose to fame after successfully enticing dragon Peter Jones into investing in his ‘Reggae Reggae Sauce’ brand. The book signing attracted many fans and proved to be a hit with the shoppers.

Fellow dragon Theo Paphitis has also been busy providing some words of wisdom to a judge on a business pitch panel for children. Kerry Michael, owner of Grand Pier, was the judge for North Somerset Youngsters’ at in Weston, and gained some useful tips from the dragon. The judges also included managers from AGM Holdings, HSBC and North Somerset Council. The competition was held for diploma students who were asked to come with a design for a space within the new Grand Pier. This is set to open next year, with the winner’s idea to be put in place.

Dragon’s Den Online is currently showing in UK with first episode running on BBC Two.

The two Karens face the Dragons on August 5th, BBC2 9pm

The striking design aims to replicate the ice skating experience on dry land, with its unique blade.

The two Karen’s approached Applied Product Design to assist them with protecting the idea, as well as developing it to a level where it could be manufactured. Paul Ponting of APD took on the brief and whilst he went about perfecting the design, Karen Coombes applied to the BBC’s Dragons Den TV show with a view to obtaining further funding.

After a multitude of forms and interviews, Karen and Karen were eventually accepted onto the show, giving them the opportunity to expand and develop at a much faster rate. While funding from the Dragon’s would no doubt be a huge boost if they get it, Applied Product Design have already helped secure a deal with a China based manufacturer, which has the capacity for large scale production.

Karen Coombes and Karen O’Neil face the fearsome Dragons on the 5^th of August on BBC 2 at 9pm. If you want to see if one of the tycoons snap up KCO Ice Skating Ltd.’s audacious dry ice blade, don’t forget to tune in!

In the first program of the new series the entrepreneurs ask the Dragons for investment in an eco friendly patio heater, a hat that makes wrinkles disappear, a horror based scare attraction and personalised romance novels.

The line up of Dragons remains the same as the previous series, with Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne having been in the show since series 1, Theo Paphitis since series 2, Deborah Meaden since series 3, and James Caan since series 5.

Unlike the online Dragons’ Den show launched earlier in the year, where entrepreneurs can only ask for investments of up to £50,000, in the TV show they can ask for between £50,000 and £250,000.

With the filming of series 7 now complete, and the shows now about to be broadcast, it is an ideal time to contact Applied Product Design to get you product in shape for any of the future shows. Whether your idea has been designed, and is now ready for production, or it is still in your head or on a scrap of paper needing drawings and a prototype, then please contact us. Remember before entering the Den, whether the online version or the TV show you need to make certain that if applicable, your Intellectual Property through Patents, Trademarks, Copyright or Design Registration are in place. If you require help in any of these areas, then please contact Applied Product Design.