Hello, I'm Rowan
A bit about me:
I am a Product Design (BSc) graduate from Nottingham Trent University with a passion for integrating design into everyday life. I continuously develop my style through various projects, particularly enjoying the process of bringing ideas to life through model making. This handson approach allows me to iterate and refine my projects. I am especially drawn to the technical challenges of product design, which provide valuable opportunities for problemsolving and innovation.
Interests:
MC-1
Modular Camera System
Final Year Major Project
01/01/2024 - 11/05/2024
The Brief
Design a modular compact digital camera for users seeking features and image quality beyond smartphones. The camera must be user-friendly, suitable for both right and lefthanded users, and compact. Allow for easy component changes and upgrades while ensuring simplicity and portability.
The camera will offer an adaptable photography experience, catering to both beginners and those looking to grow their skills.
Project Context
I began this project out of a fascination with photography, particularly why camera manufacturers hadn’t created a model that could be comfortably used by both left-handed and right-handed individuals. The goal was to develop a versatile camera that adapts to each user, offering greater freedom and enabling new users to invest in a system that evolves with their skills.
Problems
Left -handed design gap
No cameras are specifically designed for left-handed users, making it difficult for them to operate comfortably.
Limitations of smaller cameras
Compact cameras lack features like physical buttons, viewfinders, and larger grips, while larger cameras are too bulky to carry comfortably.
Cost barrier for beginners
Cameras can be expensive for beginners, who often start with a cheaper model and upgrade as their skills improve.
Ideation
The ideation for this project began with iterative sketching and modelling, exploring various ways to make the camera adaptable and customisable, and discovering how to achieve modularity effectively.
Development
I work best when modelling my ideas, which was crucial for experimenting with different modular concepts in this project. I began with foam models and progressed to 3D printing to test fine attachment methods. The initial concept featured a rail system around the body for attaching modules and a sliding viewfinder. However, manufacturing this design proved challenging, requiring further iteration of attachment methods. Each model demonstrates progress toward a feasible, comfortable, and manufacturable design.
Designing Internal Electronics Placement
After performing tear-downs on a few cameras, along with research online, I was able to understand what components are needed. Using Fusion 360, I designed layouts and brackets for each part, testing and iterating the design until all components could fit inside the body.
Addressing the substantial space occupied by the battery was a crucial aspect of the design process.
Manufacture
Understanding how to manufacture the camera was prioritised, ensuring each part was simplified for ease of production. For repair-ability, every part is assembled using screws, allowing for easy replacement if needed. Designing the rails for manufacturability was crucial to keep the camera affordable for beginners.
Pocket-sized Main Hub
Ultra-compact main body with a large APS-C sensor, perfect for capturing moments anywhere you go.
Left-Handed Friendly
For users with left hand prominence, simply flip the camera and attach the left-handed grip for a comfortable, uncompromising shooting experience.
Easily Adjustable Viewfinder
For bright environments, use the adjustable electronic viewfinder to compose your shots perfectly, tailored to your preferred eye position.
The MC-1 is a camera designed to adapt seamlessly to your needs. Whether you’re left or right-handed, the MC-1 fits perfectly into your hands. Compact and portable for on-the-go moments, yet expandable with a larger grip, physical controls, and an electronic viewfinder for times when you desire more control.
It features a large APS-C sensor for superior image quality, making it ideal for both beginners starting their photography journey and enthusiasts seeking a versatile, portable camera.
Nomad SW-1
Off-Grid Radio
Final Year Minor Project
20/09/2023 - 10/12/2023
The Brief
Create an off-grid portable radio with Bluetooth connectivity for motorhome and van-life users. The radio should feature user-friendly power generation methods to ensure continuous use without relying on external power sources. It must be compact, easy to store, and highly portable, while also being durable enough to withstand various outdoor conditions.
The product should maintain reliable connectivity even in remote, off-grid locations and deliver high-quality audio. Additionally, it should be intuitive to use, catering to the needs of users seeking a dependable and robust audio solution during their adventures.
The Idea
As the outdoor activities market has grown significantly in the past five years and the camping and caravanning market is projected to reach a value of £2.9 billion by 2027, there is increasing investment in products within this sector. How can we leverage innovative off-grid power generation methods and connectivity technology to alleviate current pain points?
Problems
Power Usage
Strain from Charging Devices
Limited Access to News
Van lifers stress over power use and fear running out. They avoid auxiliary sources like vehicle engines or generators. This concern intensifies without sunlight for solar panels.
Users must manage the use of appliances such as fridges, heaters, and cookers alongside charging their devices. Existing products often consume significant battery power.
Access to entertainment, weather and news can be difficult when in remote areas due to a lack of phone signal or data connectivity.
Ideation
The ideation started with generating broad ideas for a hand-held, portable device. As it evolved, a mechanically driven hand crank was chosen for its efficiency and convenience. During this modern rugged design trends were consistently integrated. Modularity was experimented and integrated into the design for the generation back.
Prototyping
Various design iterations were modelled, including full-scale and half-scale versions to speed-up printing and explore styling variations. Emphasis was placed on refining the grill and handle designs, crucial features in the product's aesthetics.
Throughout the iteration process, balancing ruggedness and strength while maintaining the product's subtle and simple aesthetics was a key focus.
Final Design CMF Options
Once the final design was settled on, it was important to test and gather feedback from users on CMF options. Drawing from current rugged product and consumer electronics trends, several colour palettes were tested in Keyshot to offer a range of choices. Each variation featured an accent colour highlighting key touch points like the volume and mode buttons.
The most popular and chosen idea was the design on the right, offering a sleek and attractive product that blends well into various user environments.
Technical Details
Developing the internals was crucial to understand its functionality, focusing on utilising a planetary gear set to efficiently convert high torque pulling force into high RPM at the motor. The gear set employs a 7:1 ratio, optimizing RPM output for the 12V DC motor. The body material chosen is polycarbonate for its durability.
Modular
Pull Strap Power Generation Back
The Nomad SW-1 uses a strap with a planetary gear set to generate 2.6 times more power than comparable wind-up radios. By leveraging the body's strength, users engage upper arm and back muscles to turn the generator. Just three minutes of pulling provides 30 minutes of radio playtime, with extended usage available when listening via Bluetooth. Once charged, remove the power pack for use as a more portable device.
Short-Wave Radio
In remote areas with limited mobile or FM/DAB signal, the SW-1's short-wave radio offers access to crucial weather updates, news, and entertainment stations. Switch effortlessly to Bluetooth mode to connect the SW-1 to personal devices, ensuring access to favourite content anywhere you go.
The Nomad SW1 uses shortwave radio to allow it to reach essential weather alerts and news in remote areas without mobile data. Bluetooth capability allows seamless pairing with mobile phones. Its power generation method delivers 2.6x more power than hand-crank devices, preserving van lifers’ leisure batteries.
The product features a modular power generation back that attaches securely to glossy surfaces for convenient charging and portability. Once charged, the SW-1 is portable and easy to carry with you on any adventure.
Carta Works
Sustainable Fruit Punnets
Placement - Business Co-founder
10/09/2022 - 12/09/2023
The Brief
Create packaging for loose berries that significantly reduces non-compostable plastic components while maintaining visibility, durability, and breathability. Design a system or product that eliminates plastic packaging, ensuring convenience, simplicity, and value for customers.
Design: Rowan Baxter, Leo Bachellerie
Photography: Rowan Baxter
Context
During my product design course between second and final year, my classmate Leo Bachellerie and I founded a sustainable packaging startup based on paper punnets we originally designed for a Tesco project. Despite lacking business experience, we managed patenting, design registration, and manufacturing. We refined the design using custom cutting dies, homemade folding presses, and various adhesives for manufacturability. We targeted farm shops aligned with our sustainability goals but closed the business in September 2023 to focus on completing our studies.
Design: Rowan Baxter, Leo Bachellerie
Photography: Leo Bachellerie
Function
The smallest punnet, sturdy & practical. Great for small fruits. The mid sized punnet, ideal for larger fruits and vegetables. The largest punnet is great for higher quantities of produce.
Carta Works provides an eco-friendly and innovative solution for fruit packaging with our unique fully paperbased packaging that stands out from anything else on the market. We are dedicated to creating a greener future.
Design: Rowan Baxter, Leo Bachellerie
Photography: Rowan Baxter