MAX ASHTON
Projects Design Portfolio
00 I am a BA Product Design Graduate from Nottingham Trent University currently looking for post-graduate work. My portfolio demonstrates an amalgamation of some of the
My projects aims are to show off all areas of my design capabilities
projects I’ve been working on at both Nottingham Trent University and in my own time. I’d describe myself as a designer who enjoys simple forms which have high functionality. I believe good design shouldn’t be noticed, only when one looks deeper into the design of a product, then they can notice the genius design.
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Skill Set Contents
Projects | Introduction
Adobe CAD Software
01
Trail Rack
02
Bloom Mat
Major Project
Workshop
Minor Project
03
Hudson Bench
04
Connection Stool
05
Landscape Photography
International Design Studio
Small Space Living
Personal Project
Technical
Photoshop Indesign Solidworks Sketch-up Keyshot
Professional
Communication Presentation Team Building Time Management Organisation
Sketching Modelling Contact
maxashton11@gmail.com
Telephone
07726496146
maxashtondesign
Trail Rack Major Project
01 The Trail Rack was the final project at Nottingham Trent University. It situated around the struggle of storing items on a bike, especially when the user owns only a single bike which they use in a variety of scenarios.
The Trail Rack is designed for efficiency. Although it’s designed toward bikepacking and cyclocamping, it’s use on a bike is vast. Commuting, Mountain biking, Road and Urban Cycling all fall within the sphere of Trail’s capabilities.
The focus of this project was innovation
The rack is built for 18-25 year old occasional cyclists who live a fast-paced lifestyle and believe in a sustainable future.
maxashton11@gmail.com
Project 01
Trail Rack
Rural Cycling
Touring and Expeditions
An amalgamation of surveys, interviews, user journey maps and testing occurred to identify an existing problem within the realm of rural cycling. Refinement of the brief allowed for greater understanding of the problem areas associated with the chosen field.
Cyclocamping and Bikepacking
The Occasional Cyclist
Storage Solution
Rear Bike Rack
The current products on the market were inadequate; Difficult to attach, bulky, aesthetically unappealing and commonly made with heavy tubing the existing products were not designed with the user in mind.
Project 01 - Trail Rack Portability, ease of removal, durability, protection against weather and impact, the ability to cater for varying sizes of bike, and not impeding the cyclist whilst riding were all factors considered when progressing on with the project.
The desired materials for the different parts of the design dictated the conceptualisation sketching, highlighting the possibilities and limitations of the rack.
Project 01 - Trail Rack
Shown is a CAD model of the Trail Rack. The final design consisted of a series of adjustable sections that clamped together via hex bolts onto a unique centre tube design.
The Trail Rack is both hard-wearing and rigid with a powder-coated mild steel tube as the centrepiece, taking the weight of the users belongings.
The bed has a unique design that is capable of holding a variety of bag sizes, strapped in with heavy duty velcro, atop the steel frame.
Project 01 - Trail Rack
Thee most ingenious part of the design are the connection joints. These joints allow for the rack to clasp to the frame of the bike with ease, supporting the weight of the cargo.
Made with injection moulded PET, the joints combine heavy-duty velcro, rubber, and silicone to grip tightly to the frame whilst providing a simple release mechanism for the user.
Packaging was key to commercial manufacture, the addition of an instruction manual increased user engagement and experience for the first time installation of the rack.
All the materials and processes had a sustainable element through the PET, recycled card within the packaging, mild steel tubing and overall longevity of the product.
Joints
Bed A
Bed Base
Card Tubing
A Pouch for the Bolts, Nuts and Velcro
The Trail Rack’s name derived from the ‘trails’ taken by rural cyclists along with the visual aspect of the rack ‘trailing’ behind the user as they cycle. The final design is an innovation in the field of static bike racks being both lightweight and extremely user friendly.
Project 01 - Trail Rack
Bloom Mat Minor Project
02 The Bloom Mat was a 10 week project in my final year at Nottingham Trent University. It revolved around the brief of designing a multi-purpose, hard-wearing mat that could excel in a variety of environments.
The focus of this project was comfort, experience and engagement for the user
Bloom was built for longevity with an innovative folding mechanism that allowed it to fold into itself for maximised flexibility and versatility. Material choice was essential as the latter stages of the design for the Bloom Mat were based off the selected material.
maxashton11@gmail.com
Project 02
Bloom Mat
Testing and prototyping was a key success to this project. It allowed for in-depth understanding of the limitations from the size, shape and material.
Platinum-cure 34A silicone was the desired material as it exceeded when tested on strength, comfort and flexibility added to its multi-decade lifespan.
Project 02 - Bloom Mat
Bloom is designed to be used in any outdoor setting, whether it may be a sitting mat on the beach or a clean, dry surface on muddy ground, Bloom’s utilization is endless.
It’s created to be easily visible and evoke positivity through it’s colour and design.
The four-leafed clover shape with the innovative leaf pattern creates pathways for water to flow off efficiently for ease of cleaning.
Project 02 - Bloom Mat
Bloom’s unique shape allows it to fold into itself when lifted by the handle in the centre. This increases opportunities of portability and storage, excelling the overall versatility of the product.
Hudson Bench International Design Project
03 A three week voluntary project that I participated in whilst studying in my second year at Nottingham Trent University.
a contemporary bench/stool that has the design feature of the ‘Hudson Blanket’.
In this project I worked alongside Canadian students to create
Using ideas formulated by the students in Canada I finalised and perfected the product in both Solidworks and Keyshot.
The focus of this project was aesthetic form
maxashton11@gmail.com
Project 03
Hudson Bench
Originally designed with the help of Canadian Students, we mixed the design influences of both countries to create this product.
Created from oak and sheet acrylic, the Hudson Bench has the ability to encase and hold books within its simplistic final design. It’s rigid, durable form culminates in a unique, contemporary look, portraying the colours of the Hudson Blanket.
Book Storage
Project 03 - Hudson Bench
Strong Base
Thick Oak Seating
Sturdy Legs
Final Design
Connection Stool Small Space Living
04 A four week project that I worked on whilst studying in my second year at Nottingham Trent University. My brief for this project was to design a product and living
The focus of this project was multifunction
space for a young, mobile, urban dweller of the 21st century who lives alone and enjoys hosting gatherings of 4-6 people within their home. The product must be innovative and a solution in response to this need. This project allowed me to explore user journey mapping to create a product that fits an outlined user’s needs.
maxashton11@gmail.com
Project 04
Connection Stool
Conceptualisation The initial designs for the concepts were to create a piece of furniture that would be perfect for the user. I came up with these three initial concepts for stool designs. These designs combine multifunction with portability and a sense of ‘connection’. They’re all making use of minimal materials and would fit in a small living space, ideal for 4-6 guests.
Hangable
Tessellation Comfort
Project 04 - Connection Stool
Contemporary Strength Rigidity and Durability
Development I made use of the mood-boards and developed the designs for the stool. I kept the sense of contemporary design in the forefront of my mind whilst finalising the idea.
Final Design Multifunctional Portable
Contemporary The Connection Stool is designed perfectly for hosting with the ability to be easily lifted onto its available hooks and stored to create more space for activities.
Project 04 - Connection Stool
The stool is not only contemporary but has been designed perfectly with the user in mind. The stools are made from durable stainless steel and once taken down, the hooks can act as a coat hanger for the guests.
Landscape Photography Personal Project
05 An ongoing project that I’m doing in my spare time, whilst studying at University or travelling. The idea for this project is to take photographs of the natural
The focus of this project is the elegance of nature
environment and different landscapes that are aesthetically beautiful and have a certain allure that intrigues me. I believe that the best photos are taken at breathtaking moments and this project aims to prove this. Doing this allows me to take a step back from the busyness of daily life and relax, partaking in a hobby that excites me.
Project 05 - Landscape Photography
MAX ASHTON
maxashton11@gmail.com
Telephone
07726496146
maxashtondesign