The most fun and the biggest challenge I had as a Senior Lecturer was leading the live studio projects where teams of graduating students to work on real world “live” brief with with and external companies or charities.
As the joint module leader, my role included:
- Finding industrial partners, making the deal and creating the brief.
- Project management and timetabling for 60 students and 5 tutors
- Mentoring and coaching students with their design, team work and project management.
- Pastoral support for students.
Some of the larger live projects have their own pages – Motivation Wheelchairs , Bloodhound SSC and Formula 1 Wheel Gun.
Herman Miller Furniture
In 2018 I jointly led a live studio project with Herman Miller. Our students developed concepts for innovative products and services for educational furniture for Herman Miller are one of the premier office and education furniture brands worldwide. It insight and Ergonomics into the creation of workstations and working environments.
Dremel Bosch Tools
In 2013 I co-led a fast paced 2 week project where 10 teams of final year student developed innovative new concepts for the next generation of Dremel creative art and craft tools.
Robot Bike Company Bicycles and Wheelchairs
Metal 3D printed lugs for bespoke bicycles and innovative sports wheelchairs. Including an innovative tilt steer wheelchair was created by Ben and team, who also created a fully working proof of concept.
Wilko Homewares
We had 2 live projects to creating products and services for the homewares brand Wilko. Including one that was done completely remotely during the darkest days of the UK 2020 Covid lockdown.
And while I don’t have pictures, I led similar live projects with Jaguar Landrover, Designability / Bath Institute of Medical Engineering and Omlet.