MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER 2015 Portfolio
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Cardiff University Integrated Engineering Sept ‘07 - Jul ‘09 University was the logical choice for me as I was keen to learn and fascinated by the world of engineering. However in my time there I developed my drawing and designing skills rather than my maths! What I managed to accomplish in my time at CU, was produce some long lasting logos, and learn valuable skills in branding and client rapport.
In early 2009 I needed to figure out what I wanted to do since engineering wasn’t looking hopeful, so I did some soul searching and realised what it is that I’m good at: Design. Moving to another University to study Product Design was the best decision of my life, and what you see to the right is my creative abilities coming to life in a real world setting: Product display items for the CU SU Cafe.
3D MODELLING
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UWIC - Product Design BSc - Sept ‘09 - July ‘12
Set out to prove myself as an extremely creative individual, I became immersed in all aspects of the course and what it had to offer. Any competitions, industry experience or projects abroad, I was there, and what you see here are some of the results of those opportunities. 1. Manna - A competition to design a new brand identity for a Metabolics natural beauty product range, “Manna”. As the leader of a team of 5, I helped push us towards a sleek, clean and modern design that eventually won us a trip to their head office to present to their marketing gurus. 2. Andromeda - Part of my 2nd year coursework, I designed a high quality audiophile product that utilised CNC Machining as well as vacuum bag moulding techniques. 3. De Lijn - A Socrates Intensive Programme in Kortrijk, Belgium, I was part of a Belgian and Portuguese team that looked to redesign the nations bus companies bus stops. We decided on a lightweight, porous concrete that could become illuminated at night and blended beautifully into the environment using glass and plants.
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4. In my spare time I was a freelance 3D Modeller and produced Google SketchUp models of buildings for an Architect. CCBuildings wanted to be able to convey the changes they were going to make in an easier to visualise way for their clients. 5. My final year coursework culminated in an advanced Fire Fighter Helmet that utilises the wonders of Graphene; a nanotechnology that promises night vision and thermal imaging on a screen no thicker than the width of a human hair, and (6) an Opticians’ stool that relieved them of back pain by engaging and strengthening their thighs and glutes through a simple angling of the seat at roughly 30°.
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HOBBY 1
CrackedSkullDesigns - 2011 - Present 2
Recycling, sustainability, Captain Planet, that’s what I am about, and CrackedSkullDesigns is how I promote that. I turn waste materials like bicycle innertubes and charity shop clothes into bespoke products that breathe new life into currently unrecyclable materials. Born from a competition where me and my design partner made an innertube sports bag, we won and shared the winnings which was enough for me to buy my own sewing machine. 1. The CSD website - Still under construction heading towards an e-commerce site, it showcases my currently available products in a clean and simple way. 2. Step by step instructions I create for myself when I am unable to do any modelling. This was done on a long train journey.
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3. The CSD logo. Created during the Kortrijk placement, I have used it throughout my creative projects and will continue to do so. 4. My Favourite Runner Up, a band from Aberystwyth, Wales, who I know and love. I made a guitar strap from innertube and a scarf for Chris, the lead singer, to wear and promote. 5. A beautiful Singer treadle sewing machine I used in my work, buying into the sustainable nature of the brand. Draped over it is another guitar strap with a Polyester tie cover.
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WORK
In a short time since graduating I have had some brilliant opportunities to learn new skills, build on old one’s, and fully immerse myself in creative atmospheres.
Newgale YMCA - Nov ‘12 - Jun ‘13 As a Marketing and Sales Representative, it was my duty to both create advertising materials for the company and try to sell them to prospective clients; schools looking for outdoor educational centres. What I lacked in sales ability, I made up for in droves of creative talent that gave the Newgale YMCA a visual appetiser it could hand out to local schools and youth clubs. My first steep learning curve was getting to grips with InDesign. The Marketing Director had a vision for a brochure with impact so we worked closely on putting the information together, pulling from the current website and outdated literature, and I breathed colour and life into what was essentially a sales piece. I used my skills in Photoshop to fill any gaps with pictures and quickly learnt little tricks and short cuts that would make any future projects much quicker and easier to complete. The online brochure was a massive undertaking and immensely helped me to understand and bridge the gap between desktop and internet.
WORK
Ten Green Bottles - Aug ‘13 - Nov ‘13
High up in the Welsh mountains, Ten Green Bottles was a glass recycling company that created many varieties of glass products and gave special needs adults a welcoming place to work. My role was to make use of their vast collection of textile remnants; old swatches, end of line fabrics, curtains, canvas, etc. Through research, development, trial and error, I created wallets made from swatches, dubbed ‘Swatchets’, simple clutches, and Christmas decorations made from sand blasted glass. Even though this was a short 10 week placement, I learned how to thread and use an over-locker, get the fabric printer working and fulfil a large client order, and designed and made a product display case to transport my textile pieces.
WORK
Bishop of Rochester Academy Nov ‘13 - Present
Before I started as the Design Technology Technician I took my time making decisions, obsessing over the details and getting stressed over deadlines. In an education environment, you don’t have the luxury of time or even second chances. You have to decide on the spot, and be confident in your decision at the time. With experience and many decision making opportunities I have the confidence to stick to my reasoning and see projects through to completion. Making a name for myself throughout the school as the go to guy for problem solving and creative display solutions, I find myself spilling into other areas to release my energy; taking on an AS and A2 course in Textile Technology, building a school allotment, making awards and trophies, assisting with the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and running an after school SolidWorks class.
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1. Tool walls I spent half the summer break making and are now used in lessons. 2. Various wall displays around school I have had the pleasure of making. Since starting in 2013 I have met with each department, listened to their ideas, wants and needs, and created visual aids and playful designs fit for purpose. 3. Twice a year I am called to make awards for two main events; Academy Day (Basically a Secondary School Graduation event) and International Women’s Day. 4. A hand painted mural depicting some of the most influential design movements and a selection of 20th Century Designers. My colleagues and I are all very conscious of what we teach our students and have endorsed and practice Dieter Rams 10 Design Principles throughout our work. 5. Without some valuable research, our own work stagnates. This floating bookshelf hangs proudly in our department, separate from the school library. 6. I felt it was important to praise those who have shown exceptional technical ability at such a young age, so I created my own award to hand out at the end of term.
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GROWTH
In an effort to better understand the Textile Industry, I decided to study AS and A2 Textile Technology alongside my work duties. Having already completed my A levels and a Degree I knew what was in store, but had much more to learn and gain from this experience. The aim of the AS course is to choose an existing product and improve it in some way. I decided to redesign it for a student who was the singer in a band. However they didn’t even have a name yet so before any target user, competitor and inspiration research could take place I sat down with them and we created their brand identity. Introducing; “The Hexylenes”. The name came from an amalgamation of all the band members names, which created ‘Hexylene’. I researched this and found it to have a chemical symbol. This developed into their friendly hexagonal creature which has been embroidered, laser cut from acrylic and forged out of pewter. From this logo a honeycomb theme developed and can be seen throughout the garment. A laser cut polyester honeycomb panel adorns the front whilst sections and slants shape the waistcoat to fit the female user.
Starting to bridge the gap between school work and the real world, the A2 course needs you to find a client to design for. After talking to colleagues, I found one who was in desperate need of a new phone case and didn’t have a protective laptop case. I took this opportunity to both have a client for my coursework and develop new products for CrackedSkullDesigns. There was a lot of trial and error in this design as I was using materials such as innertube, pool table felt and tweed that I had never used before, or at least in such a delicate way. Incorporating the CSD logo was a nice touch and well received by the client as they like skull patterns and motifs. It’s projects like these that keep me searching for more opportunities to learn, improve my skills and become a better designer.
3D PRINTING
Definitely the most fun I’ve had with a machine! Before becoming a Technician, I had never used a 3D Printer. However it was my job to get all the machines in the department up and running and the 3D Printer was one of them. First it needed fixing as the previous technician broke it.... So in taking it apart, troubleshooting, attaching wires to different slots, I eventually fixed it, and started printing. With the Year 12 students at the time, they were being encouraged to consider 3D Printing in their project and it was up to me to help them through the process of 3D Modelling to converting into an STL file, then print and assemble. The lamp on the next page is the result of 14 hours of printing, plus a few test pieces. With a central column to house the wiring, the helical design beautifully connecting the base and top toegther.
SKETCHING Naturally, a lot of my work would not have been accomplished without the ability to draw. I enjoy this skill more than any other as it allows me to communicate complex ideas and simple manufacturing tasks in a visual way. Although I think in a mechanical, methodical way, conveying those thoughts to a client have to be easy for them to understand. Honing this skill over many years, it is a pleasure even when working.
© MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER 2015