Archive for October, 2009

Winner of Product Design TV Show Unveils Eco Light

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

The winner of reality TV product design show Design For Life on BBC2, Ilsa Parry, has launched her new eco light product – an eco friendly light for children called Kaspa. The light, which uses phosphor to create a green glow, has come to market since the show was recorded almost a year ago.

kaspaThe series, which offered one lucky designer the chance to spend a 6 month stint at Philippe Starck’s design school in Paris involved 12 British designers. Ilsa won over Starck with her innovative walking aid – Flo. Following her time with the famous French designer, Parry returned to Liverpool and established her own design agency – Rethinkthings. Her new product is being stocked by Firebox.

Chinese Manufacturing Growth Benefits Product Design

Monday, October 26th, 2009

The decision to carry out manufacturing in China is one that many UK based companies are taking. Recent news that Chinese manufacturing as grown over the last six months demonstrates the extent to which the world takes advantage of China’s comprehensive factory options.

makersCompanies in the UK know that in many areas, the quality of China’s output has increased dramatically over recent years. With this in mind, manufacturing facilities in China can take on the whole spectrum of manufacturing, from the simplest household items to high technology items such as digital cameras and flat screen TVs.

Along with quality, China’s manufacturing facilities offer a level of price competitiveness that few other nations can match. The combination of quality and cost effectiveness has made China a great place to do business, and a place where entrepreneurs from the UK and indeed around the world see great opportunities in the country in terms of developing products that meet strong demand. In the past, the cost of manufacturing certain items in the UK or a western nation might have been prohibitive.

Philippe Starck Causes Product Design Stir on BBC 2

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Philippe Starck remains one of the most famous proponents of forward thinking product design in the world, and in the new BBC 2 programme Design For Life he offers 12 British designers the chance to work with him. A 6 month placement is up for grabs in his new design school in Paris.
juicy
Starck claims Britain’s product design industry needs an injection of vigour in this series, which is sure to inspire others to enter the industry – not to mention give one of these lucky designers a huge career boost. Arguably though, it has little to do with luck. These designers are called upon to squeeze out even more creative juices than Starck’s famous lemon squeezer did back in the day.

True, it’s another reality TV show, but it gives a fascinating insight into the design process – so familiar to many of our clients. It demonstrates the importance of fresh thinking and going beyond the obvious ideas, so that something genuinely unique, exciting – and above all functional is created.

Nintendo Wii Fit Plus Pushes Gaming Product Development

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

wiifitplus
Nintendo has announced that its new Wii Fit Plus will be out in October. This updated version of the hugely popular Wii Fit is a prime piece of product development. Many gymnasiums, no doubt, around the country will not wish to see the continued success of the Wii Fit, as it keeps people away from their facilities and money out of their tills.

The success of the Nintendo Wii lies in its product design; they managed to put some very impressive technology into a very small piece of kit. Video games are notorious in many people’s minds for not promoting physical activity, so the Wii Fit was arguably a masterstroke in getting people off their sofas and getting actively involved in a video game.

Hula Hoop, one of the Wii Fit Plus’s new games, is meant to burn off 140kcal in half an hour.