Alex Lowe

Alex J Lowe.

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I am Currently going into my final year studying BA (Hons) product Design at Nottingham Trent University.

I have always shown an interest in product design since I was young and have carried it through from A level to University. I have completed design courses at car manufacturer, Jaguar and Land Rover. I also completed a nine-month placement at Mercia garden products where I have learnt key skills that will set me up for industry. I am self-motivated, creative and enjoy listening to and sharing new innovative design ideas.

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0 1 Brief

Sheet Metal.

Within this brief you are asked to explore the commercial home-ware market, developing a single or range of products specifically for sheet material manufacturing such as laser, water and plasma cutting. Understanding these production methods and the material supported by the techniques will be essential.

Introduction.

Designing a piece of homeware that was contemporary and suited the target market was essential. The target market is first time home buyers aged 30-40 who want to personalise their bedroom. Learning about how sheet metal could be morphed would be my starting point.

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Ideation.

Final Renders.

As the project grew, creating a lamp that had three different types of illumination became paramount. Acting as both a table and a wall lamp Tryo can enable different ambience to the bedroom. Through the use of a small magnetic strip tryo can hang to the wall.

Tryo Lamp.

Tryo can be manufactured from one piece of sheet metal, saving money. Tryo will be made from aluminium and will be TIG welded together. It is important to use a lightweight material if it will be hanging from the wall.

The lamp will have a powder coat finish making it more exempt from scratches.

0 2 Brief Mobile

Communication.

Commended project by Innovia technology.

Within this project you are tasked to develop an aesthetically stunning product for a specific consumer market. You will present two innovative solutions for both present day and future markets (20 year) Reframed brief: Gen Z, logging off – Wants to remain connected but without the pressure of social media.

Introduction.

The main focus within this project meant finding out how to bridge the gap between dumb phones (limited use) and smart phones. From research it became apparent that Gen Z wouldn’t be able to give up social media but would limit their use.

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Ideation.

Designing a modern day mobile phone that looked different to phones in the market now was essential. I decided to make this phone a lot smaller however I still wanted to keep some features of phones on the market now so that it still appealed to my audience.

Designing the future phone meant straying away from social norms, trying to design a mobile that wouldn’t look anything like what’s on today’s market.

Notifi.

Notifi only enables social media notifications, this means users can keep up to date with what is happening around them however they cannot scroll endlessly through media feeds. Notifi also allows users to capture pictures, call and text. The phone is controlled by a touch screen pad below the screen. Notifi works alongside a smartphone giving the user the option to leave their smartphones at home and only take notifi out with them.

Aeo.

Project Aeo solely focuses on social media addiction. The phone Is slender and fits into a card holder, money in 20 years’ time will be a thing of the past. The phone works by projecting social media onto a surface which is then controlled by a holographic keyboard. The projector camerea is angled so that the further away from a wall you get the higher the projection will be. Social media will only be accessible through projection. This means that the user will be less likely to use it in public spaces.

0 3 Brief Micro Living 5x3m.

Commended Pearson Lloyd.

To design a small micro apartment which can facilitate five guests providing seating for all, whilst been able to provide privacy for guests who need to use the bathroom.

Introduction.

For this project my main aim was to facilitate five guests at a small social gathering in a micro apartment whilst been able to give them the privacy when using the bathroom.

My initial thoughts focused around the layout and separating the toilet from the social area. I then looked into space saving furniture in order to produce a product that could facilitate guests at a small dinner party.

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Layout.

The dining table saves space in the main living area by been dismantled and placed in the wall. This enables the user to erect the table and bench on request. The user will erect the table by screwing the legs into the table, this can be done with in minutes. The table measures 1000x700mm leaving enough rooms for guests to manoeuvre around the apartment. The stool makes up for the fifth user to sit at the dining table. The stools legs are dismantled and turned into a small stool. The user will be able to use the stall to sit at the kitchen counter when they are eating on their own. The counter has be extended to accomodate eating at the counter.

The bathroom is located down the corridor to enable enough privacy for guests wanting to use the facilities during a dinner party. The guests will not be able to see other guests entering or leaving the bathroom.

Tubular.

Tubular will be made from transparent ABS plastic. ABS is a light weight easy to clean plastic also been very durable making it easy for the user to transport.

The legs will be made from aluminium which will be anodised for extra strength.

The legs will have rubber protectors on preventing damage on the floor.

Assemble.

The main problem I encountered was trying to store a table in such a small room. I decided due to the dimensions of the room the table should only seat 4 users. This meant I had to design the breakfast stool with detachable legs so that the 5th person could fit on the table. I decided to use screw legs which meant that no fasteners would be used.

0 4 Brief Alone Together.

Accounting for how different groups in society are affected by loneliness, design a way to reduce its impact on one or more of the following: physical, mental health, or access to service.

Introduction.

During this project we were tasked two briefs in groups of 4 meaning we had 4 weeks to complete 2 briefs. Our main focus for this project was to create a product and service which would help students make new friends and consider joining societies.

46%

of Students Admit to been Lonely.

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How It Works.

Students who are apprehensive about joining a society or are feeling lonely want to make new friends can download the connect app.

Students who are apprehensive about joining a society or are feeling lonely want to make new friends can download the connect app.

Once the user has completed the application forms and they’ve filled in their details then the connect package will be sent off.

This enables students who are apprehensive about socialising another chance to socialise, hopefully creating new friendships. This will hopefully give students confidence to join societies with people they have met on the app.

The Wrist Band.

In the post the student will receive a leather band with a small chip fastener attached to it. This chip works in sync with the connect app. Students will wear the wrist bands walking around a student city, when two students who both have the wrist band on pass each other then it will alert the user through their app. The app lets them know where they walked past each other and what interests they have with an opportunity to message the person.

Packaging.

Both blue and grey are calming colours as oppose to using dark shades. The wrist band comes in one colour and is mutual for both boys and girls to show that no one is different.

The connect booklet explains how the app works and how to stay safe, with tips to help boost confidence and a help line to ring if the user is feeling lonely.

0 5 Brief Plastic Waste.

Your task is to design and develop a sustainable product that will reduce plastic bottle wastage.

The product must encourage individuals to think about and reduce their plastic consumption.

The product will have to prevent plastic been wasted.

Introduction.

Our personal design project meant that we would produce our own brief based on our own interests. Plastic wastage is a prevalent problem that is affecting everyone. Through extensive research and a personal design essay I tasked myself a brief that will minimize plastic waste globally.

“Bottle Caps Make up 8% Of Plastic

Waste in the Sea�.

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How It Works.

Working alongside Smart Water the user will buy a stainless steel bottle cap from the brand. The user will then walk into the shop with the smart cap. Once they have purchased the water bottle then they will take off the plastic cap giving it back to the cashier. This plastic cap will then go back into circulation and be reused. The smart cap will now be on the smart water bottle, saving plastic waste.

Stainless Steel Smart Cap.

Plastic waste and production is only rising and very little alternatives are been produced. Societies lack of education and limited plastic replacements are having a detrimental affect on our own environment.

In order to help reduce plastic wastage (specifically focusing on bottle caps) I have designed a bottle cap for smart water.

Smart Cap. The bottle caps will be aimed at all ages therefore it is essential that a variety of colours are manufactured. The cap will be made from stainless steel and then powder coated to stop it corroding.

The cap will be kept in a ABS plastic container with three fasteners. This will stop the cap getting dirty when it’s not in use. If 500,000 people took part in this scheme, then it could potentially save millions of caps entering the ocean.

Millennial Burnout.

A state of chronic stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion.

Millennials will have more time on their hands but less money and will develop an attitude of “fix it yourself� rather than spending money on a service.

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A New Trend.

DIY or CIY is fast becoming the biggest trend for under 40s. Doing some form of craft is also seen as a stress reliver as you release endorphins when you have completed a task that you may not have done before.

Brief Brand Extension.

Top 10 Shortlist by Rapha.

Through focused primary and secondary research your task is to design and develop an innovative, complementary product / service for the rapha brand that will service the cyclist consumer in the year 2029.

Introduction.

The main focus for me within this project was to design a tool kit that would be fit for purpose for millennials in 2029. The product must meet the specific needs for this generation and promote learning and maintenance skills through the design.

Living.

Millennials will be living in smaller houses which will most likely be rented so will have little space for bike equipment.

A Tool Kit FOR The Future.

The tool kit specifically focuses on millennials, motivating them to maintain their own bike whilst also been able to complete small DIY jobs around the home. From research I found out that millennials in 10 years’ time will be more focused on doing jobs for themselves rather than paying for a service. My main consideration would be smaller living in the future; therefore, the tool kit will be able to hook on and off the wall saving floor space. The tool kit will be made from anodised steel for strength and corrosion resistance. The shelf on the wall will hold the inner tube and chain breaker kit for the bike.

Rapha Inner Tube Repair Kit: - Co2 Pump - Co2 Cannisters - Allen Key - Tire Levers - Pump Needle

Repair Kit. In order to get users into maintaining their own bikes I have developed an inner tube repair kit made from carbon fibre which is stored on the wall next to the toolboxes. Having an organised tool set designed specifically for the biggest problem encountered when road cycling will motivate users to start maintaining their bike for themselves. Having their tools in one place enables easy learning and the user will know exactly what tools they will need.

The inner tube repair kit attaches to the bike frame with straps. The box repair kit will be made from carbon fibre.

Repair App.

The Rapha fix it app enables users to find out how to fix bike problems quickly. The user will take a picture of the bike part which needs maintain or fixing. Videos best suited to your bike part problem will load, hopefully resolving the issue. The app will find common problems with the part. The user choses the most appropriate problem that best suits their bike part. An extra feature will be the Rapha fix it forum where users can discuss all their problems, getting advice from other cyclists.