Alex Gordon Portfolio Design For Industry Northumbria University
CV
// Curriculum Vitae BORN 22 February 1993 (Edinburgh, UK)
CONTACT 54 Helmsley Road, Sandyford, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 1DL
Mobile Telephone (Edinburgh) E-mail
+44 (0) 7879 818 743 +44 (0) 131 226 2007 alexmgordon@hotmail.co.uk
ABOUT ME 3rd Year Design For Industry Northumbria University
I am a young Industrial Design student who is hard working, determined and enthusiastic about design and the industry as a whole. I am fascinated by new ideas and the creation of new objects and products with a view to bringing them to market. I enjoy working in a team, creating ideas with other people and I am always striving for originality and creativity in my work. I am also a very keen skier, musician and traveller, having visited Europe, North America and South East Asia.
KEY SKILLS
SOFTWARE
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High Quality Sketching Comprehensive modeling skills Key knowledge of materials of processes Understanding of trends and ideaologies Knowledge of design and manufacturing history Enthusiastic, Hard-Working, Team Worker
Photoshop CS6 Illustrator CS6 InDesign CS6 Solidworks 3D CAD Rhino 3D CAD KeyShot 4 Rendering
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT Nevis Design Consultancy, Edinburgh (June 2009) - 1 week internship having my first experience in the design industry. One Royal Circus (5* B&B), Edinburgh (2008 - 2012) - Part-time bar-tender and waiter at a variety of events held at One Royal Circus. Canoe Brewpub, Marina and Restaurant, Victoria, BC (September – October 2010) - During my 2 month stay in Canada, I worked as a waiter in a marina-side brewpub and restaurant, serving food and bussing tables. Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Bar & Restaurant, Edinburgh (November 2010 – January 2011) - During my year out, I spent 2 months working as a waiter at one of the top restaurants in Edinburgh. Oberschneider Ski School, Kaprun, Austria (February - April 2011) - To finish off my ski season I worked as a Ski Instructor for beginner skiers in 2011.
CURRENT QUALIFICATIONS - Daniel Stewart’s Melville College, Edinburgh 1997-2010 Advanced Highers (A,C) Highers (A,A,A,C,C) Intermediate 2 (A,A,A,A,A,B,C) Standard Grade (A) - Remote Outdoor First Aid Certificate 2013 - PSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor 2011
// Alex Gordon
// Ori Lifestyle Shoe
This was a live project in collaboration with new, bespoke shoe company LUP, to design a new and exciting lifestyle shoe to be worn daily. Ideas were developed to investigate the different effects that could be found with light and dark. A new casual lowtop shoe was created to be worn almost daily in the urban environment.
Inspiration was taken from a variety of sources. Ultra urban lifestyles based in London, New York and Tokyo were a key influence on the design of the shoe, especially the varying situations a young professional will find themselves in. High quality products making use of alternative materials combined with leather, such as those of Hard Graft, were also taken into consideration. Finally straight lines, folded origami and repeated patterns were one of the more major inspirations for the design of the shoe.
// Alex Gordon
The final solution came after heavy influence from origami and acombination of alternative materials like flashspun HDPE in the form of Tyvek, and classic shoe materials like leather. A lowtop style was chosen due to the comfort needed in busy urban lifestyles, yet also suitable for a wide range of fashions and trends. 07/03/2013
// Alex Gordon
// Sustainable Computing
customisable top cover with key board and track pad interchangable componets
lego inspired motherboard
aluminium base
Whilst working with Intel, a team of 5 of us developed a modular laptop design, using a bespoke, long-use case and modular components that can be easily replaced or upgraded. This was aimed at developing a sentimental connection with the laptop, encouraging keeping the laptop for a further extended period of time. The internal parts, redesigned to be easily replaced or upgraded means a laptop can be kept for a far longer period of time, creating a sustainable computing solution.
// Alex Gordon
Pine wood -Scottish Highlands
After research analysis we decided on focusing on promoting British economies, manufacturers and materials, we looked at sourced materials for the bespoke case from around the UK, as well as looking at different materials to the classic plastic and aluminium cases for todays laptops.
Aluminium -Manchester area
Leather -North Wales
A business plan based around a phone tarriff system was devised, allowing for upgradeds, replacements, and varying payment options allowing for a wider target market. This allows for further longevity in the purchase of a laptop. 08/01/2013
Industrial Felt -Coventry and Leicster Oak and Beech -Thetford forest Good press
...Why Should you invest? Constant consumers. - Monthly payment packages
83% were willing to pay 10-20% more for a “UK made” product
3/4
people said they would be interested in a laptop/ netbook manufactured from alternative materials
Gold package:
70%
said “Yes” when asked “Would you pay more for a product that was made in the UK?”
- 750 GB Harddrive - 32 GB RAM - Intel i7 Core Processor - Super High-Resolution
Silver package: - 500 GB Harddrive - 16 GB RAM - Intel i6 Core Processor - High-Resolution screen
Red package: - 250 GB Harddrive - 8 GB RAM - Intel i5 Core Processor - High-Resolution screen
Blue package: - 100 GB Harddrive - 8 GB RAM - Intel i5 Core Processor
Brand loyalty
// Alex Gordon
// Coffee Maker
This project was an open brief to design a product using BioInspiration, as well as thinking about interaction or experience design. I took inspiration from the work of Tom Dixon and pitcher plants, and produced a fluid, graceful coffee maker which utilized brand new technology for high quality coffee.
// Alex Gordon
Using a coffee making technique known as syphon coffee making, or vaccuum coffee making, a superior brew is made due to a double filter and boiled coffee combination, allowing the coffee to rise up and down the maker, giving a visual aspect to the coffee making experience. The maker can be taken into 3 part for an easier clean and upkeeping, especially with the middle filter section. The maker is unique due to this design, as there are almost no coffee makers of this style and aesthetic on the market. This makes it striking and unique, not only in function but aesthetic.
10/05/2012
Water is added to the bottom section of the Grace Coffee Maker.
The coffee maker is turned on by a switch, and boils the water like a conventional kettle.
The filter is attatched to the Bottom section, and traps the steam, forcing water up the connecting pipe and through the filter.
The top section is then added, and the water passes through the filter and mixes with the coffee held in the top section.
As the steam continues to escape through the pipe, it mixes the coffee and the water on its way past.
The bottom section now stops applying heat automatically, and the rapidly cooling air contracts, creating a slight vacuum.
This vacuum helps gravity pull the coffee back down through a filter, and into the bottom section, which, after removing the filter and top section, is now ready to serve the coffee.
// Alex Gordon
// Non-Literal Form
// Alex Gordon
The Non-Literal Form project was a challenge for us to think outside the normal realms of design thinking. After identifying the key themes of a specific brand, in this case Gu Puddings, we had to translate those themes into an interactive, but functionless object. I took away indulgence, darkness with a hint of flirtation, along with graceful, flower like shapes. 25/10/2012
// Alex Gordon
// Photography
// Alex Gordon
// Alex Gordon
// Pens
This was an excercise to develop sketching and rendering skills, so as to be able to communicate ideas quickly and accurately in future projects. 09/12/2011
// Alex Gordon
// Alex Gordon
// SnakeBite
I worked on this project as a personal development project for the brands Thistly Cross Cider and Tempest Brewing Co., alcoholic beverage brands based in Scotland. I developed their collaborative SnakeBite brand with logo, packaging and bottle design development.
// Alex Gordon
I focused on the vibrant scarlet colour of the drink and used frosted glass on a tall, strong bottle design, paired with an aesthetically matched label and packaging design. The packaging was kept as a classic 6-pack bottle carrier, including a slightly different design to catch the users eye. 05/07/2013
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
SNAKE
BITE
BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
SNAKE BITE
TEMPEST BREWING CO. PRESENT
5.5% PREMIUM SCOTTISH
BITE
SNAKE BITE THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
SNAKE BITE
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5% PREMIUM
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
SNAKE BITE
5.5% PREMIUM
scottish blend of cider, beer and blackcurrents. TEMPEST BREWING CO.
THISTLY CROSS CIDER PRESENT
5.5% PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
BITE
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE BITE
scottish blend of cider, beer and blackcurrents.
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5% PREMIUM
scottish blend of cider, beer and blackcurrents.
SNAKE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
SNAKE
BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
BITE
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
BITE
SNAKE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
BITE
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5% PREMIUM
scottish blend of cider, beer and blackcurrents.
BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER
TEMPEST BREWING CO.
5.5%
PREMIUM SCOTTISH
SNAKE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER 5.5%
BITE
SNAKE
TEMPEST BREWING CO. 330ml
BITE
THISTLY CROSS CIDER 5.5%
SNAKE
TEMPEST BREWING CO. 330ml
BITE
// Alex Gordon
// New Value Space
Philips challeneged us to create a “New Value Space� for a future business investment in 10 years time. Not looking for new or redesigned appliance, we had to think laterally in what the solution to the problem. We focused on South Korea in 2024, and what the kitchen experience for a young professional South Korean who had become newly independent. Focusing on their culture we realised key insights which led us to our conclusion.
// Alex Gordon
A Philips Meal Space is a compact yet bright space where users will find top kitchen equipment and appliances, centred around a traditional Korean BBQ. Placed in key areas around the city of Seoul, they include a food ordering service and a social media link up. By paying an hourly rate, users can have social meals quickly and conveniently, when they may not have access to a kitchen themselves, due to space, cost and time effiency. 10/02/2014
// Alex Gordon
// Compstat
// Alex Gordon
YOU HAVE SAVED
The average saving in your postcode is
£8.53 £10.32 THIS MONTH
THIS MONTH
THATS
THATS
32.81 kW/h
39.69 kW/h
IF YOU CARRY ON YOU WILL SAVE
IF YOU CARRY ON YOU WILL SAVE
£102.36
£123.84
THIS YEAR
THIS YEAR
some suggestions: turn your heating down by 2 degrees for 4 hours of the day spend 1.5 minutes less in the shower this will bring your savings up to an estimated £10.46 per month which is higher than your average neighbour
SAVED £12.56 THIS MONTH
The Compstat is a smart thermostat which records and analyses routines, favoured temperatures and different times, allowing for financial and environmental savings. It’s unique quality is through it’s communication of your savings and energy usage and that comparison with other devices in a specific area, encouraging savings through basic social behavioural psychology. Completed for the RSA Student Design Competition 2013/2014. 25/11/13
// Alex Gordon
// The Big Shave
Methods Of Research
www.surveymonkey.com
E-mail to friends and family
Results - Influences
Interviews “Everyone thinks David Beckham is cool everyone looks up to him” “I take inspiration for my look icons of our generation like musicians and actors. I wouldn’t really do my facial hair like them because I can’t at the moment” “When I can grow designer stubble I will do and I will be keeping it (laughs)” “I used to watch my Dad, so I knew what I was doing.” Major influences for young males looks included celebrities but many said they were not influenced by celebrity endorsed adverts, from our reaserch we also found that many people were shown by their Dad how to shave so were influensed by what type of razor/shaver they used.
Initial idea sharing and mind mapping
The Big Shave
The Big Shave
6
Investigation into Father - Son Relationship
Other Research Findings
The Father - Son relationship was investigated to discover its relevance to first time shaving and its effectiveness in an advertising campaign.
The survey also showed that cost was also a big contributing factor on whether to buy a dry shaver or not.
25% of the people involved in the survey went on to say they were not satisfied with the quality of shave the an electric shaver gave them. The Big Pond adverts which were produced for an Australian market had greatest success with the company having an $85 return on every $1 that was spent. The Big Shave
The Big Shave 7
10
Conclusion
Proposal
* Although first time shavers are put off from using electric dry shavers for a large variety of reasons, the more pressing reasons can be identified as embarrassment, brand awareness and following on from what the individuals father uses or whatever is purchased on behalf of the first time shaver.
* A product that is specifically for users that have limited facial hair and have not experienced the full onset of facial hair growth. The product must still act as a complete fully functional product capable of a full shave but be aimed for use by people experiencing an increase in the thickness and amount of facial hair over a long time scale.
* The intimidation of using an electric dry shaver is present but not something that is difficult to over come. The size and overall shape of the product should be carefully considered in order to create a device that the user can rapidly become familiar with.
*An information and instructive page that comes with the product to tell the user how to best effectively achieve a variety of facial hair effects directed at individuals experiencing developing facial hair.
* The embarrassment factor for first time shavers limits the opportunities for the individual to personally ask a parent to buy what product does appeal to them. Individuals who are embarrassed will use what equipment is supplied to them.
*An advertising campaign aimed at making users that only have limited facial hair gravitate to this product because it allows them to feel as if the device provides a worth while necessary shaving experience even though their facial hair is limited.
Whilst working with Philips we completed a live project focused on first time male shavers. Research was a key aspect of this project, so most of our time was focused on learning about our target market in the most extensive way possible. We used key research techniques used by Philips, that helped us with brainstorming, public questionnaires and extensive video interviews. Key investigation went into different relationships within the home, such as the father-son relationship and how this has been used as a branding technique in the past.
* The Philips brand in the shaving market does not have a strong presence amongst first time shavers.
The Big Shave
The Big Shave 11
12
// Alex Gordon
We created a final solution aimed toward first time shavers with a need to constantly trim the face. By adding a digital aspect through a website and application, we allowed our users to be educated in shaving without feeling intimidated or uneducated. 10/03/2013
// Alex Gordon
Thank You alexmgordon@hotmail.co.uk +44 (0)7879818743