Design Portfolio
Josh Hood
joshhood10@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/ josh-hood
Josh Hood
DOB: 14/10/2001
I am a 22 year old Design for Industry (Ba) Graduate from Manchester, up in Newcastle. I enjoy all types of design that I’ve experienced in the work place and at university, and particularly thrive in product and communication design.
Personal Interests
Personal Skills
Health and Exercise
Rugby
Film and TV
General Pop Culture
Travelling
Creative vision
Interpersonal
Communication
Active listening
Collaboration
Ba Degree
Design For Industry
Northumbria University, Graduating
Digital Design and Marketing Assisstant
Platinum IFS, Sale, Cheshire
Business Administration Assisstant
(August 2023-Present)
Digital Intern
(August 2023) Turner and Townsend, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Platinum IFS, Sale, Cheshire Brand Communications Creative Intern (June 2023-July 2023)
(August 2023)
Communication Design & Branding Intern
Ultimate Creative Communications, Knutsford, Cheshire
(July 2017)
Product Design
CONTENTS CONTENTS
Service Design
Social Media Design
OSS Hearing Aids
Joey Squat Assistance Device
Gymshark Patellar Sleeve
Days Campaign
HedgeLay
Platinum IFS
Product Design
HEARING AIDS
Context
For my final major project at university, we got to choose our own brief. I initially aimed to do something Rugby related but as research went on I heard of visually impaired rugby and became interested in sensory disabilities. I continued research into hearing loss, interviewing people who suffer from it and an audiologist and learnt about the many issues with hearing aids.
Problem
I learnt younger people with hearing loss typically don’t wear, or struggle with wearing, their hearing aids due to the aesthetic, stigma and in-ear discomfort. Bone conduction is also more effective the younger the user, due to healthier cochlear. I ended up creating OSS Hearing Aids in order to combat these issues.
Solution
A set of bone conduction hearing aids that provides a more subtle and fashionable alternative for the younger demographic. They stick onto the user via prosthetic glue, and come with their own charging case, unique product application process and mobile app.
Final model Final model
Switch out with different colour/ graphic
Video explanation
Scan QR to watch
JOEY SQUAT ASSISSTANCE DEVICE
Context
Problem
I was set a live brief by HEXR to design an exercise based product, inspired by biomimicry. I looked at many different animals and their unique biology and physiology, such as AyeAyes long fingers and a seahorse’s tail. As research continued I focused on a kangeroo’s joey pouch, and how they allow the joey to get very close to the ground.
Solution
Due to existing interest I begun to look into weight training in the gym, and from personal experience and research I realised that many people struggle with getting low when squatting (both weighted and bodyweight), and as research continued I learnt more about a kangeroo’s joey pouch, and how they allow the joey to get very close to the ground.
The Joey Squat Assistance Device is a piece of exercise equipment that attaches to any squat rack and provides an elastic platform for the user to squat into and reach new depth with supported balance.
Development
Slips onto safety bars of squat rack to act as seat Elastic qualities help lift user up when stretched from the squat
Different elastic tensions for different strengths and sizes
White - Beginner level:
Can support a total of 100kg (between bodyweight and added weight for the exercise)
Black - Advanced level:
Can support a total of 400kg (between bodyweight and added weight for the exercise)
Cream - Intermediate level:
Can support a total of 200kg (between bodyweight and added weight for the exercise)
Improves form and balance
More support the lower you go Safer when squatting Less painful on joints Improve strength as it lets you squat more
PATELLAR SLEEVE
Context
I was set another live brief, this time by RDD+, to design a non-clinical healthcare product using a different companys brand and their existing products for inspiration. I researched many different conditions that could be treated domestically, and also thought about my own ailments over the years, leading me into patellar tendonintis.
Problem
Patellar tendonitis is a knee condition mainly caused by over exercising, common in athletes. This causes the tendons under patellar plate to get inflamed and causing a lot of pain. Current products exist for patellar tendonitis, wrapping around under the knee, supporting the patellar plate. However these are very uncomfortable as they are made with thick material since they are meant to only be worn during exercise.
Solution
A redesign of patellar plate supports using lightweight material and cushioning for comfort, and a twistable toggle that lets the user adjust the tightness and pressure applied to the knee support. I chose Gymshark as the brand due to their existing catalogue of exercise wear.
User journey User journey
Cushion supports for patellar plate and tendon
Wire wraps around knee, runs through cushion
1) Turn the toggle to adjust tightness of tendon support, which lets the tendon recover
2) Wire thread around knee and tendon cushion contracts, applying extra pressure
Service Design
HEDGE LAY DAYS
Context
This brief was set by RSA, and to create sustainable, nature-based solutions which use trees to protect the environment and strengthen communities. At the time I had been watching Clarkson’s Farm, and I was intrigued by the craft of Hedgelaying, and how despite their being millions of miles of hedgerows across the UK, I had never heard of this practice. I proceeded to begin researching the craft, learning about the process, the impacts, the people involved and the issues within.
Problem
Hedgelaying is a dying craft despite its old heritage and many environmental advantages. This effects an entire industry, and farmers, as hedges are unmaintained since they aren’t getting laid and the skills aren’t getting passed on, limiting its many benefits like growth, protection, livestock and wildlife support.
Solution
A campaign encouraging teenagers/young adults to volunteer hedgelaying for a day in local heritages/parks/farmland. Professional hedge layers would come to teach and provide guidance, hoping to pump new life into the industry. This could be an opportunity to introduce young people to the craft, whilst getting more hedges laid.
What is Hedgelaying?
The process of turning a hedgerow into a living fence
1) Trim branches of the tree
The Issue
3) Bend trunk in direction of hedgerow, and weave around wooden stakes to support the fence
2) Cut into trunk of hedge, leaving little connected to stump
Additional support can be given by weaving branch inbetween stakes on top
“Lack of young folk practicing the craft”
Via/ David
Boyson,
Hedgelayer,
NHLS Member, on any issues with the craft
Continuously spoke with many Farmers and Hedgelayers for research and validation Created a series of infographics and boards to help explain my project
Example of freshly laid hedge
Benefits of Hedgelaying New growth from the Stump
Impenetrable Barrier
superior to a normal fence, wind-proof
Better
for
live
stock creates shade and shelter
Great for wildlife becomes a thicket, offering new ecosystems
The Solution
Hedge Lay Days is a campaign supported by Northumberland County Council, that offers volunteer days for teenagers and young adults to come to local wildlife areas and help out hedgelaying under professional guidance.
It would involve advertisement in local schools and colleges (e.g. Posters) and a website as a sign up point.
The days would take place in Autumn and Spring time on chosen weekends, in order to avoid the sap in the summer and the cold in the winter, at venues provided by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, with the hedges.
Service Graph
Spoke with several organisations who agreed their services, venues, funding
Hedgelayers volunteer to help out on the day
1 hedgelayer per 3 participants
Provide venue with hedgerows to be laid
HEDGE
LAY
DAYS
Fund campaign & advertise at local schools
Northumberland County Council
Shows up to the day
Students go to schools
Scans QR on phones & Signs up
Sees Poster around school
Example advertisement Expected outcomes and benefits of the campaign
Outcomes
Hedges get laid
More of all aforementioned benefits
New people join the craft
Hedgelayers can scout out new workers, passing on their skills +
Students get work experience
Utilising their volunteering to boost employment opportunities
More aesthetic venue
NWT’s locations look better
More talked about as a job
NCC help encourage wider variety of career options post school
Sustainable Practice
Needs redoing every 5+ years, millions of miles of hedgerow across UK
Image of people taking part
Example of person signing up
Social Media Design
Context
As part of my current work I have to use the existing brand guidelines of the company and create regular social media posts, help out with website design, create work place information displays (e.g. posters) and assist with any other digital design or marketing matters.
Existing Brand Guidelines
Helvetica Neue - 45 Light
Helvetica Neue - 65 Medium
Logos Colour Palette Font
#936889
#18273E
#a8a3a3
#ffffff
Examples Examples
Created a broad variaiety of digital marketing campaigns
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