The design portfolio of James Withington

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James Withington Product Design Portfolio

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1. Slope Seat A transformation to spectating from the embankments 2nd Year university project

2. Connectory

Contents

The editable connector to save materials 2nd Year university project

3. Heart Table A triumph of lamination 3rd Year university project

4. Wave Table The table without permanent fixings 3rd Year university project

5. Bee Happy Hive Honeycomb happiness in a sensory centre 3rd Year university project

6. Musketeer Space saving workshop multi-machine with quick change action Final university project (Display Boards) C

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Problem: Millions of spectators watch from raceway embankments often sitting on damp grass, either on blankets or a foam pad because conventional sporting seats are limited to gently sloping surfaces.

Solution: A lightweight, anodised aluminium chair with stretched canvas seating. The leg frame locates on the slope and four independent articulating feet adapt to the uneven surface. A single adjustment knob is conveniently locate at each side, enables the user to optimise the angle or collapse for transportation. To enable cold working assembly, the aluminium frame is inserted through sewn tunnels in the canvas before being polyurethane bonded for superior strength and flexibility.

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Slope Seat

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The Connectory

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Problem: Consumerism often means when minor faults occur, a functional item is thrown away.

Brief: Develop a ‘3D printable fix’ downloadable anywhere in the world that will fix or prolong the use of the item and reduce the number of useable items going to landfill.

Solution: ‘The Connectory’. A simple component produced on a filament printer and works by utilising the thermoplastic properties of the material. Two, or more ends are drawn to match the profile of the material being used. Printing takes place in a flat orientation meaning no scaffold printing and therefore ZERO waste. The centre ribbon is gently heated and shaped as required. At ‘end of life’ all materials can be reclaimed easily and the connectors can be reheated and reshaped for a second, third or fourth purpose. No fixings means repairs or modifications are easily made.

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Problem: Traditional methods are being overlooked in favour of modern mass production systems.

Brief: “Investigate lamination”. Explore the laminating process, discover the potential shapes and structures which are achievable.

Outcome: A complex structure with consideration to method of manufacture. The assembly is inset with subtly tinted glass located on machined brass corner mounts. The concentric arrangement of uniform shapes results in delight of kaleidoscopic views.

Construction: Four right angle formers were fabricated. Six interlocking layers of Maple veneer create each corner piece, four of which are then arranged and bonded to create the support structure.

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Heart Table

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The Wave Table

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Problem: Modern products can be designed with built in obsolescence, built to be irreparable and built to fail – built with landfill as a final destination! Material reclamation and recycling are made impossible or uneconomic through use of permanent joining methods such as adhesives.

Solution: A simple and effective way of holding components together without adhesive. A plastic connector purposely designed to mate a table top to a table leg is 3D filament printed before being heated and formed in to the required shape. Components such as legs and stretchers simply slide and lock together. A broken piece can be easily replaced or changed with little or no cost.

Likewise, the components can be removed and reused elsewhere – in the meantime, they can take the shape of an interesting item to be admired and cherished by all.

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Brief: Create a self contained pod or den with a sensory interior where primary aged school children can feel safe and go for some time out. It should have sensory elements and upholstered seating within for quiet time. It should also look appealing from the outside.

Solution: A modular honeycomb system. Self-contained, moveable and free standing, the design fulfils the brief whilst the honeycomb structure provides a connection to nature offering several educational segways. The shape and colour offer a visually simulating object to engage the children’s curiosity. The modular pods are designed with safety and durability in mind, components are easily interchanged or updated, providing the client a long term solution which offers endless combinations of sensory possibilities.

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Bee Happy Hive

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The Musketeer The_Element_of_Design

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Musketeer

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