29 results found with an empty search
- Designer's Block | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
Designer's Block Design a product that aids school students during their education. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More Motivation During my time at school, I noticed that students were struggling to articulate or see their designs in a 3D space. Therefore, I wanted to design a kit that made models look professional, and give the chance for users to rapidly experiment before committing to a design. Research Research consisted of looking at current methods of prototyping. A popular choice is Lego. Their success lies in the temporary, reusable and simple connecting system. Therefore, development was based on using components that replicate commonly used mechanisms or forms, with processes that are quick and mess free. Development Every component was individually developed through Foam and Card Modelling to maximise its performance. Testing The components were also tested together to see if they could model a design with a clean finish. Evaluation If I were to do the project differently, I would aim to reduce the weight and overall size of the product to make it more portable. Otherwise, I was pleased with user involvement in the project and maximisation of performance. Design Tags: CAD | Card and Foam Modelling | Prototyping Main Product Each aspect of the casing was considered in how it could support in an educational context. The boxes had different corner joints, were made from the three primary materials you are taught at school, and more so can be used as a visual prompt in lessons. A prototype was manufactured with the aid of 3D printing or Jigs for repeated parts. The parts include magnets, so you can reuse connections. You can also involve pencils, so you are not restricted to the kit. Supporting Product The instruction guide with accompanying Powerpoint presentations and lesson plans helps the user explore possibilities and teach pupils the key topics in the DT curriculum.
- Work Experience | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
Work Experience During a week spent at Morgan Carey Architects, my task was to design a conceptual house taking into considerations faced by Architects. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More Research My Mentor provided suggestions of inspiration including The Fallingwater House by Frank Lloyd Wright. A favourite location of mine is Italy. Therefore, the house also took inspiration from Italian Architecture and materials. Development Various layouts were drawn out as further restrictions were put in place, such as Plot Size, before producing the CAD Model in Google Sketchup. Evaluation After the internship, I carried out some self-motivated projects. This included the Watercolour Painting, the Card Model and loading the CAD Model into a VR Headset. Design Tags: Architecture | Interior Design | CAD | Card Modelling
- Fixperts | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
Wearable Hearing Aid Case As a team, work in partnership with someone in the community and design to resolve an issue for them. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More Discover Our Fixpartner is named Benny and has been diagnosed with Bilateral Hearing Loss. He uses discrete hearing aids to help with day to day conversation. However the fact they are bespoke to his ear shape, small and expensive makes the possibility of losing them a frightening thought. Yet Benny removes his hearing aids when he is on a night out because the environment can temporarily paralyse his hair cells, making it more difficult to hear the next day. Define The case the Fixpartner already uses does hold the hearing aids. On the other hand, it does not have any fixings to attach it on his person. This causes difficulty if he needs to access his phone or his wallet from his pocket. Develop Designs looked at how the product could be on your person without being disruptive. Discovered through several interviews with Benny, he liked the idea of having a watch style case, therefore development looked at watches and bracelets to create a form. The majority of development was carried out through modelling. Foam was used when involving the desired strap. Then rough 3D printed parts were used to determine size and orientation of the Hearing Aids. Finally finishes and materials were chosen to be most suitable for its application. Evaluation My role in the team heavily revolved around the documentation of the project. Other tasks I contributed to was editing and sketching. We worked well as a team because we were all self-starters so would get tasks done. Implement The final prototype was 3D printed and spray painted, with Apple watch straps. Benny's feedback included that "it feels how a normal watch would feel". This was a very positive outcome as it made him feel comfortable and confident to wear it. Design Tags: Prototyping | Videography | Fixperts | Bespoke
- WePause | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
WePause Design a solution to engage employees to feel part of something bigger than themselves, for those who have never experienced a physical, collective workplace, in line with the brand WeTransfer. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More Discover This project required a team to design protection for future generations of homeworkers. Over the past two decades, there has been a gentle increase in the number of home workers, but the pandemic accelerated a shift which saw a significant rise in just one year. As a result, companies are now preparing for a future of hybrid working even though it has many associated problems, including social isolation (which became my focus), overload and lack of physical activity. A requirement was to study brands that could ‘stretch’ to address this problem and fit with the team’s values. The best fit was WeTransfer. Although wholly online, they fill the gaps once held by physical objects, such as files. We saw an opportunity to work with their creative and playful spirit and suggest a new market for them where physical products would enable sharing essential parts of work beyond files. Define Each team member selected one of the critical issues around homeworking. I chose the social side of the office, which is lost from teams being physically separated. 59% deem their sense of work community to be worse by not being in the office (Ipsos MORI, 2020). The social side of work is struggling to exist when there is no ‘watercooler’ to chat over. In addition, being physically separated, not being able to see their teams, and only having digital means for connection mean workers struggle to stay motivated (McGregor and Doshi, 2020). 70% of workers believe their friendships are essential to work happiness (Schawbel, 2018). Removing the physical space to nurture these connections, I decided this was a design opportunity to allow them to form. Development There is no physical communal space in a digital tomorrow to talk, nurture connections and build a team. So I broke down the minutia of the working day to identify critical moments where colleagues connect and bond. One of these was during the tea break. Designing around the kettle was favoured as it is vital from the start of the tea-making process. Therefore, the product could involve separated colleagues from the beginning of the break, maximising time spent together. Benchmarking was used to gauge the CMF needed for the team and WeTransfer to have a cohesive aesthetic. Final Outcome The human resemblance felt like having a companion during the call and played into the light hearted nature of the WeTransfer brand. All contact points were considered, including accepting, ending and declining calls. Fundamental interactions include dialling by pressing buttons around the shoulder with colleagues’ initials, and accepting the call by rotating the handle. The project was significant as it required teamwork and large research sections. But it was successful as it provided experience in distributing work based on people’s strengths. Ipsos MORI (2020) Working post-COVID. Available at: https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/majority-those-working-home-are-not-finding-it-challenging-many-miss-co-workers-technology. [no place]: Ipsos MORI. Made in Brunel (2022) Detail. [fig.] From the library of Made in Brunel. McGregor, L. and Doshi, N. (2020) How to Keep Your Team Motivated, Remotely . Available at: https://hbr.org/2020/04/how-to-keep-your-team-motivated-remotely. [Accessed 24 February 2022]. Schawbel, D. (2018) Why work friendships are critical for long-term happiness. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/13/why-work-friendships-are-critical-for-long-term-happiness.html [Accessed 24 February 2022]. Implement Yellow foam modelling was used to analyse proportions. Technical drawings were drawn in SolidWorks. The model was made from Pink PU Foam and Acrylic. Traditional techniques were used, such as milling and sanding; then hand finished with spray painting and decals. Design Tags: Industrial | Research | CAD | Prototyping | Model Making
- Pipp | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
Pipp Meet Pipp, the Plane Printing Pal. The brief set by Thumbs Up Ltd was to design a smart home product by first identifying the problem and then deliver innovation which makes life easier at home. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More Research Rather than trying to solve a physical problem in the home, I wanted to respond to an abstract theme. A staggering statistic found “1 in 6 people have experienced a common mental health problem in the last week” (McManus et al, 2016). Therefore I explored how product design could help with a person’s short- and long-term emotional well being. The market is saturated with apps assisting with mental well-being, but no physical product addressed the intangible aspects nor dealt with the issue in a lighthearted, surprising way. Content research of 'satisfying video' trend lead to the paper planes theme as it was an intriguing theme for resolution. App Design Accompanying the product is an app where you could track your mental well being and send planes to your closest friends’ printers. The user could also personalise most of their interaction, including button illumination colours and the plane’s design. Future plans would be for users’ inputs to incorporate different responses to music and lighting in their homes. McManus, S., Bebbington, P., Jenkins, R., Brugha, T. (eds.) (2016) Mental health and wellbeing in England: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014 . Leeds: NHS Digital. Available at: content.digital.nhs.uk [Accessed 10th October 2019] Final Outcome I have completed extensions to the project since completion, including developing a visual language and packaging that complemented the playful theme. Design Tags: Industrial | Packaging | CAD Development I explored how the user would tune into their emotions and record them in a physical way. Results included the universal emotion rating scale, which uses the familiarity of faces to determine a person’s feelings. Forms investigated (seen right) looked at how a trio of emotions could be presented. The horizontal designs were favoured as then it didn’t give obvious hierarchy to a particular emotion.
- 3rd mode | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
3rd mode Design a solution to assist the 2 million, and counting, population of coworkers in communicating their availability to colleagues in their shared workspace, to diminish disruptions and maintain positive work relationships. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More Key Problem Coworking spaces’s most dissatisfactory elements are noise and distraction. Therefore, people tend to put a pair of headphones on. However, to the colleagues around, they can’t tell if an individual is casually listening to music and happy to be interrupted, or not to be disturbed. The headphones create a barrier in communication. Therefore the design opportunity was to transform communication between colleagues about their availability. Context Coworking spaces are rapidly gaining popularity due to their flexible rental contracts - ideal in these uncertain times. Using a hot desk service system, people occupy their space temporarily. With minimal items provided in the space and the inability to personalise, the challenge was to design a product that would fit seamlessly into this moving environment. Research Few competing devices already exist. Therefore, many parallel products were explored. From this exercise, I discovered products that tried to address multiple relevant aspects and critiqued them. Out of the initial concepts ranging from desk lamps to shapeable chairs, the most suitable direction was a new headpiece that replaces the problem’s root. I also wanted a memorable user-product interaction to remember which mode is active, so I researched physical mechanisms for the indicator. Final Outcome The final design surpassed its competitors during concluding evaluations, and feedback from users was positive as they felt comforted and confident with the reduced distraction. Pink PU Foam and ABS formed the aesthetic models using traditional methods, then spray painted and decaled to a high-quality finish. Finally, working models were 3D printed from PLA. This project was exhibited at New Designers 2022 and has appeared on the Dezeen website . Development I needed to delve deeper into the physical form of privacy. Therefore opening and closing mechanisms were explored through sketches and low-fidelity models. The favoured design was a slot that could be closed entirely or reveal a hollow insert to reflect openness when available. Design Tags: Industrial | Research | CAD | Prototyping | Model Making Initial Sketches After a round of hand sketching a headset to improve communication, user feedback suggested considering if the device could take another form, such as an accessory. Retrofitting is viable as headphones are a personal choice and often a significant investment. Hence, users are more likely to buy an addition than a new pair. Technical Design Each component was altered to meet anthropometric data, making the product physically ergonomic for the target user group. Specifications for injection moulding were then implemented considering the volume and expected value of the device. A complete product was drawn in SolidWorks with accompanying technical drawings and BoM. Bold Neutral Mono Personalisation Station Choose your look Made in Brunel (2022) Aesthetic Models. [fig.] From the library of Made in Brunel.
- Photography | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
Photography I have been lucky to travel to multiple places around the world, so here is a snapshot. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More
- Blend Insulin Pump | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
Blend A new form of Insulin Pump that takes into consideration the tastes and tasks of adolescent users, to smoothen wrinkles in a day as a Diabetic. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More Motivation I am a pump user myself, and I have nine years’ experience of living with one for 24 hours a day. Through this time, I have had two pumps, which were contrasting ergonomically as well as in style and sizing. With this distinct change, I noticed their benefits and faults. I could compare them against each other as well as observe the holes in the entire system, so I decided to design something new that combined the best of both. Define The major fault with current Insulin Pumps are their bulky nature and so do not sit easily in pockets or under clothing. This indiscreet nature would make me self-conscious when I didn’t want it. Additionally, one of the products had the user input most of their data into the pump, which is an awkward task if the pump is under layers of clothing. Therefore, a better solution is to have a separate device which is easily accessible. Develop Investigation, self reflection and development discovered options available to move forward. This included looking at the form of the overall pump; the shape of the insulin reservoir; how the cartridge will be kept in place; visibility of the vial; communication between pump and user; power sources; and ways to attach to the body or clothing. After evaluating the ideas from each area, the design narrowed to a focused design. Implement By using elliptical forms and convex curves, the pump can match the contours of the body. This increases comfort, reduces the feeling of self consciousness and reduces the thickness of the product. The window allows users to check for air bubbles which could prevent insulin delivery. This is vital as it can cause a high blood sugar for the user. Another alteration includes using elliptical reservoirs, as they can aid with reducing the pump’s width but still having the same benefit of smooth flow of insulin and removal of air bubbles. App Design The app uses calm, pure aesthetics for essential use of the pump’s functions. This method includes remotely (via Bluetooth) inputting medication doses, as well as checking recent activity and alarms. At the time of project, products used either the pump or the testing kit as the central controller, both of which are likely to be less accessible that just having a phone in your pocket. Evaluation If I were to do the project differently, I would push the boundaries more with reducing the size even further. At the time, I didn't realise how advanced Pump technology had become, and designs are being released that are even smaller. Design Tags: Medical | CAD
- OneSnap | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
OneSnap The brief set, by pladis Global, was to design a new biscuit product and packaging for 16-24 year olds to socially connect and engage in making memorable experiences. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More Develop I was originally inspired by Slide Cube Projectors as an interesting way to dispense biscuits and cues for conversation. However, it was during a brainstorm that it clicked: how about looking through the biscuit? Once this was decided as the critical interaction, the key was to use as little design as possible. The packaging needed to be designed as a device to explain the biscuit’s stand-out attribute, therefore a window was added to the front and back. Evaluation At the end of the project, it was selected and presented to pladis representatives. Feedback from them can be seen right. This was great experience in developing a product in collaboration with the client. “Really different and clever and can picture it all over insta” “The user centricity and how holistically the idea was considered [sparked my interest]” Design Tags: Packaging | CAD | Prototyping Define I conducted research to see if retro technology would connect with the target age group. Clothing, advertisements and products are all recalling past fashions with success. The deemed ‘soulless’ digital media means nostalgia humanises a brand and brings a smile to the user. Therefore would be appropriate to apply. Discover One of the causes of childhood obesity is oversnacking. Most young people do it to satisfy hunger, others to cheer themselves up. However, fewer hormones are released that make you hungry if you are generally well and happy. Therefore the design opportunity was to provide an enjoyable experience that provided greater satisfaction and sustained the consumer to the next meal. When dissecting the brief and finding associations with memories, I thought of old analogue photographs. There is something more to them, they have stories and feelings attached to them. Testing User testing revealed that bigger biscuits were better for framing and value. Other positives saw users having a newfound curiosity for their environment and being present. Lots of card and foam models were produced during development. Final testing was conducted on the perforation and opening of the packaging. Implement A great benefit to the product is its adaptability, in terms of use and biscuit design, giving endless possible versions. You can be up close or far away when you take the photos; the pack size can be increased for a group of people meeting for morning coffee or afternoon tea. The long-term vision for the product was to have different frame styles, flavours, colours and hashtags.
- Silver Lining | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
Silver Lining Design a Lamp for children for using in the home. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More Research I wanted to use Hanging Mobiles as inspiration, which led to the work of Michael Anastassiades. His designs have a weightlessness, which I wanted to apply to my work. Often Clouds are used to decorate Children’s rooms, which is the inspiration for the theme, while the raindrops were included for a playful interaction. Development Developments focused around the Cloud’s, the Raindrops’ and Arch’s form. Even though the design moved away from Anastassiades’ style, the Rainbow was key to having a more child-friendly aesthetic. To increase user interaction, a physical mechanism was added to change the colour of the light. The favoured design was to have a rotating layer in the base with different colour lenses, which was tested through Foam and Card Modelling. Evaluation If I were to do this project again, I would want to reduce the thickness of the base and find a more effective way for the layers to rotate. However, I think the product does well to bring some fun to a space. Design Tags: Lighting | CAD | Card and Foam Modelling Implement The project involved making a working prototype. Therefore each part was modelled in SolidWorks. Dimension and GA drawings were generated, as well as a Bill of Materials. Manufacturing processes included 3D printing, soldering, lasercutting, as well as manual processes.
- saywhen. Branding | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
saywhen. Design a product that resolves something that bugs you, and then develop many brand aspects revolving around the product. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More Motivation As a Diabetic, the advice is to weigh out your food so you can calculate the amount of Carbohydrates. However, depending on the size of the bowl, it can appear a tiny portion. Brand Language The target user group was considered on many levels, including their wants and the intended emotion to evoke. The Brand Statement included "Individuality, Energy and Commitment". Each bowl is unique to the customer. With personalisation in the text, and the adjustable zip, customers can get the perfect portion for them. With bold, youthful branding, the customer will feel energised for the day. While good customer service and a jovial staff ethos in the stores will always make customer’s feel welcome. The promise is to provide fully functioning products that last. If the customer is not satisfied with their product, saywhen. will do our best to resolve the issue and learn for the future. Evaluation Since the project, I felt the packaging could have better considered the form of the product. Therefore I used cylindrical Cardboard packaging which has greater links to the pattern and details to match. Also, I could have pushed the visual language even further with bolder choices of pattern or colour scheme. Design Tags: Branding | Graphics | Packaging | CAD | Card Modelling Implement Having produced all the necessary elements, I produced a Brand Book with all the do’s and don’ts. Then by using my Retail experience, I designed Planograms and Shop Fronts to best display the product. Core Product Therefore, I designed a bowl that adapted to your portion size by having a zip that ran round the side. This is a purely fictional product, and the majority of the task was in relation to the Branding and CAD Rendering. Visual Language Rather than going down the traditional medical aesthetic of a clinical, blue and white brand, I was keen to bring a youthful, energetic feeling. For patterns and overall brand aesthetic, I took inspiration from current Sports Wear trends, as well as modern Homeware brands such as Bornn. In terms of the colour scheme, I researched the meanings related to colour.
- TAKI | Kirsty Patterson Portfolio
TAKI Design a product that is in collaboration with Lightly Technologies' Hikari SQ. Home Portfolio CV Contact Search More Project Overview The name TAKI and this design comes from the Japanese inspiration of Hokusai’s Waterfall Paintings. By looking at the forms used in his paintings, I generated a modern version to meet the contemporary Lightly Technologies brand. With the thinness of the Hikari SQ, the base of the light could be much slimmer than traditional wall lighting. As a result, the piece has a floating affect. Feedback from the Client included that it was “well illustrated” and a “very marketable story”. Design Tags: Lighting | CAD