Let me introduce myself. Hello, I’m Natalie. I am a Midlands based product and graphic designer with a strong interest in creativity and education. I recently graduated Brunel University with a BSc Product Design with Professional Practice Second Class (Upper Division) Honours. I see myself as enthusiastic and a challenge-seeker, striving to better myself and learn new skills. I am passionate about finding solutions for everyday challenges through creative thinking and innate curiosity, also a believer of that the best solutions are often the most simple. With a year-long placement experience in a school teaching Design and Technology, it built on my passion for helping others progress in the creative field.
01.
Helping Herbs. ‘Helping Herbs’ is a customisable indoor gardening kit, designed to bring gardening to people with early to mid-stage dementia. This horticultural therapy kit was designed to be inclusive and available to not only those with dementia, but people who suffer other mental and long-term illnesses as well. The different aspects of the kit have been individually designed to target a variety of senses and experiences which aim to reduce common problems associated with dementia. Included in the kit is a mindfulness colouring book, where the pages have been impregnated with herb seeds making the sowing process easier, as well as giving them something to do throughout the day, providing enjoyment and to reduce anxiety, in turn giving the carer with some well-deserved respite. In addition, as a gentle reminder, a moisture sensor, located in the windowsill tray alerts the user when the reservoir has run dry and requires more water.
The complete kit containing all one needs to garden indoors with a loved one suffering from Dementia
Personalised packaging brings the impact of reminiscence therapy, where the kits brings together the benefits of horticulture therapy. Strong emphasis on intergeneration activities and bonding
The windowsill tray includes a moisture sensor to remind the user when the plants requires watering
Instead of fiddly seeds, they have been embedded into the pages of mindfulness colouring book - the user can simply colouring, tear out and plant
To make the kit more personal, the packaging can be customised online before purchase with images and quotes from family members.
02.
Revision Task Cards. Focusing on GCSE Design & Technology, a set of educational task cards was designed to reduce disruption levels in a classroom caused by students finishing their work early. When a student finishes their work, they simply go and select a card based on the topic they want to revise. In this set there are 6 topics, Design History, Graphics, Famous Designers, Materials, Processes and Iconic Designs, Each card includes information within the topic, an interesting fact, a quiz and tasks for the student to complete. To help the students and teachers keep track of the tasks they have done and where they still need to revise, the set also includes topic record cards, the students can stick in their book and stickers to mark-off completed tasks. These cards have been designed to be a more engaging and easier to use version of the current revision guides, furthering students knowledge and getting them excited about design.
When a student finishes their work they can choose a card to revise from and complete the tasks. The teacher can then check the work and reward the student with a sticker to mark off the task on their record card.
The cards are double-sided, the front displays a relevant image, title, key dates and a summary. On the reverse there is an interesting fact, a topic quiz and a revision task for the students to complete.
These images are from the proposal document I put forward for the project both to the module leader and the schools I was working with.
Infographics on how I would allocate my time.
Introductory section on how this project came about.
Outlining the project outcomes with information and a suggested display approach.
03.
Future Thinking for TfL. Every journey matters. We exist to get people to where they want to go, providing a safe and reliable travel network for the 31 million journeys made every day. We are excited to be such an integral part of London. With people at its heart we must ensure they feel a part of our future too. By empowering customers, enabling them to experience a more ‘fulfilled’ journey, we can create a future city that thrives for years to come, as well as an improved TfL. We must stay open and accepting to new technologies ensuring that our customers aren’t lost along the way. Through our ongoing collection of ‘big data’, customer opinion and journey details as well as our expansion into the collection of lifestyle and ‘London data’, we can continually improve, and create a more fulfilling, journey experience. We have one of the best transport networks in the world. As well as continuously improving our service, let us take a new approach to secure its future and focus on what really matters; the people within London’s beating heart. Every journey still matters, but every person and every moment matter to us just as much.
‘Discover’ is a new way to explore the city. The hand held device uses your location and set markers to navigate you to hidden gems within the city. Just take hold, follow the bearing, and let it guide you on a new adventure.
The pin matrix allows for a tactile, responsive and up-to-date display
Earphones can enhance the user experience in London, providing them with a location specific running auditory.
A modern personal take on the current TfL Streets
Careful planning and accurate model making skills were required to produce this realistic model.
Attention to detail was vital, from the visual cues and split-line detailing to the button recesses and size of the product.
04.
Letters Home. Understanding the needs of your user is hard. It can be notoriously difficult to get an individuals unfiltered opinion. Such information cannot be obtained from questionnaire results - it requires a human-centred approach. As part of a Human Factors group project, we set up a co-creative workshop to understand long distance family relationships. We brought together a diverse group of people to take part in a series of activities that probed their experiences and tactile perceptions in relation the theme. Through these tasks we uncovered people’s unspoken needs. This research resulted in a mission statement` for the embodiment of our personal concepts that would enable the expression of a personal experience through a combination of culture and meaning. Letters Home, provides an easy way to share what you’ve been up to with your family. Handwritten, personalised letters, are generated via an app ready to send home. With the option of perforated images to tear off for your family to display. It is a convenient way of sending letters home - it’s snail mail, re-imagined for the modern world!
Part of the first task involved the participants illustrating their current methods of communication between themselves and their family, these were then analysed for positive and negative outcomes.
A context mapping task was ran for us to learn more about the participants
A diverse range of participants were included, spanning eight time zones.
Letters Home, provides an easy way to share what you’ve been up to with your family who may not be on social media.
Step 1 - Pick photos from your social media accounts or photo library.
Step 2 - Handwrite your personal message using or choose from the fonts available.
Step 3 - Arrange your photos and messages using a template.
Step 4 - Handwrite the delivery address - once written Letters Home saves it to the address book.
Step 5 - The letter is then posted home direct from your phone/tablet!
Step-by-step indication on how Letters Home would work.
My own take on the statement brief, re-imagined snail mail.
Key Features Using our key insights
Hello Nana, e e timtim Nana, mymy on on Hello to updateuyou Just wanted upda!te yo to outh rnem anted in Bou fields Just w nemouth! s the e th you the Walkng acroo s the fields ur you tell nging in Bo been telli e e m has Walkng acroo som som been therar I know mu has gs e eare there nt thin bubut u! ! mum yoyou imp oworta with gs to tsha re ith inted w I kn th e ar wan nt rs I sh porta ted to imothe p tritrip I wan ok a a I took others d I to friends anand up t up Last week my iends hadtotogeget y fr r - we r k mDoo fofor e hadbe ther weedle - wted st Dur tobe there e ooly Lato or Do wan as we anted to I hadm y le y wwooly Durd d my toearl e w so glad y tterlrly ad I ha as !w(I’m bitte was rlyrise as bi so gl asititw easun me as e made m the e! (I’m as th e hat did nrisyou d itit as e that Sunrise we su di ad e After m glad w I’m at !) u cold After Sunrise t yo ng! ad th ! taki ha gl th ng brea ki e I’m view ld!)s were breath ta co er ew homer hom ur you views to yo rs them to ted ba jam barsey I’ve also treaated them y jam berr rry rasp th olegrain raspbe reci so tre e wh pe!) they cipe!) mad grainn forr the I’ve al the re holeagai you g ew long (tha aint fo r ourrlon madnk afte u aagtrea after ou k yon t dow wen a treat (than n w k!t do wal wen walk! Sunrise , Pretty soon on, Speak to you Pretty Sunrise you so eak eto SpLov ve nah xx xx LoHan ah nn Ha
ise
Jam Jam rry Bars! berry be famous Rasp s Rasp Making your famou your Making
Bars!
y Sunr er prett Anoth y Sunrise Another prett
immersive
tactile
• anticpation and excitement of receiving and opening a letter from a loved one • provides your familyInformation with regarding how an something to treasure and hold application can be transformed into a on to whilst you’re away
• traditional, high quality writing paper conveys nostalgic, homely memories • raised ink printing provides the sense of handwritten text the reader can feel
tactile keepsake.
05.
Elevelo. As part of a group project, a new company was established. Cadence, a high-end, bicycle accessories retailer, with one main aim; to make the commuter’s journey more enjoyable. The aim is to unite interior design with the cycling world, combining stylish form with function. By designing a storage device for young professionals to support everyday life on two wheels, it addresses the challenges of owning and living with a bicycle in an urban environment. Elevelo is a high-end bicycle storage unit for professionals who wish to have a attractive solution for storing their bicycle indoors. A stylish solution to an everyday problem. Alongside Elevelo is, Simply Straight, a tool the consumer can keep and use with any job not just the installation of this product. Made solely of recyclable materials, it can be sourced and manufactured sustainably, to make in keeping with the ever demanding circular economy.
Final full size model of the product. Cork pads will protect the bike frame, whilst the aluminium mount provides both hanging for the bike itself and a bag as well as a shelf for extra storage
Testing the product with a range of different road bikes
Multiple usage for the storage of cycle equipment
Initial design sketches of Elevelo 10:1 scale model
CAD Modelling and Keyshot rendering
Simply Straight, a analogue redesign of a spirit level.
06.
Bumble. Bumble is a thermochromic energy saving bee that changes colour when the temperature of your house rises above the recommended living temperature. His stripes change from yellow to white when 24ÂşC+ is reached, informing the user to turn the boiler down, saving money, energy and improving living. Bumble was designed as part of a Design for Manufacture brief. Computer renderings and engineering drawings were produced before being given to another team for manufacture. Bumble himself is a Jelutong turned bee with dowel reinforcements through the centre to hold the sections together. The wings are laser cut and etched acrylic and the eyes are vinyl cuts. The black stripes are sprayed with gloss and the yellow stripes have a thermochromic pigment mixed within the paint. A clear lacquer is sprayed over the whole bee to complete manufacture. Bumble was finally made into a commercially viable idea, reducing the hives to just 1. This saved material and money. If Bumble was to be put into commercial production, the manufacture price currently sits around ÂŁ6.98 each unit with an expected retail value of ÂŁ15.
Bees in batch production, complete with thermochromic paint and laser cut detailed wings
Initial CAD render of the home hive, showing placement of the bee and the extra storage containers
Updated CAD render of single hive and bee
Template to check the curvature of the turned jelutong
Jig to mark and drill the holes for the location of the internal dowels
Final tester Bee before sending for batch production
07.
Sous Chef. Sous Chef was an answer to an external brief set by Samsung to design an appliance to suit the modern ‘smart’ home. Enter Sous Chef, A Kitchen App(liance) to aid your Planning and Preparation A comprehensive new product that slots neatly into today’s busy schedule. Both innovative and functional, this is a personal Sous Chef will revolutionise meal planning and preparation. Fitted with the latest smart glass screen, which is both touch and stylus operated for ease of use. It’s hygienic too, just wipe clean! A discreet magnetic strip allows you to attach it to an easily visible point in any kitchen. Its portability means you can plan in comfort from anywhere in the home. Future life? Sous Chef 2.0 could have the ability to prioritise ingredients in selected recipes based on the expiration dates of products which would reduce waste further, it could also carry out stock checks on used items and automatically add them to the online shopping account.
Input your weekly plan from the database of recipes or add your own. Recipes are rated on preparation and cooking time, the cost and the nutritional values.
Stylus or Touch operated, the user can swipe through the main menu to plan, shop and update connections.
View the day-byday recipes to assist you cooking, scroll through the methods.
Connect over Wi-Fi to smart devices to display reminders for the user
Reminders to aid cooking both in and out the kitchen
Smart glass and magnetic connection that can be easily attached to the cooker hood or self standing on a work surface.
08.
Recycled Raincoat. For an Eco Design project, the brief was to ‘explore and adapt unusual or unconventional materials and processes’. Currently there is not much being done to re-use plastic bags, and turn them into a new objects or products, besides just the plastic bag. This is where I wanted to re-invent the material and use different processes to make and manufacture a possible product made from recycled carried bags. The process I used to recycle the plastic bags into a new usable material was to heat bind the plastic carrier bags. After trying different layering techniques I found that the basic sheet upon sheet, resulted in the most durable and strong plastic sheeting. This is where I came up with the idea of a raincoat. The idea of marketing this raincoat to major events, such as festivals, or theme parks, means that the price would have to be kept low, but also, with such events and businesses, there are also a lot of waste carrier bags that the organiser could send back to the company to produce more raincoats to sell. * This project was a Design Factory Finalist 2012/2013, Design Museum.
These four sketches show the possible designs that this material could make. They range from high end designs such as the trench coat, to the standard rain poncho design.
Scale models were first produced to test the durability of the fabric
The process I used to recycle the plastic bags into a new usable material was to heat bind the plastic carrier bags, using the iron as the source of heat and binder. I drew up a pattern, then transferred this into the sheet plastic I had created to produce a raincoat.
Marketing for outdoor events meant that waste carrier bags could send back to the company to produce more raincoats to sell
A double overlapped stitch was used together with waterproof binding to ensure a good seal.
09.
OWSILL ray
imer’s ith Alzhe nosed w not too g ia d s a er, w ion is Dad, Pet is condit thday coming Sarah’s ir go but h 2 years a oment. It is his b im. se ea is d t to get h m hat wha d at the advance doesn’t know w e up and sh
y er Societ rbs’ e Alzheim s on the nk to ‘Helping H ea id ift a li at g onalised Looking e comes across rs e p y u ub , sh website allows yo h dementia. it any that - a comp kits for people w g gardenin
Follow kit by her D orde
e ng how th d detaili ks. or w ay tr wsill
Additional EW OVERVISkills. F PRODUCT
JUS TA seed DD COL boo OUR: k
dded ed embe of herb se yable and a k made jo o n o e b g re n mo uri This colo s sowing seeds ake paper m to do. r le lot simp
r herb nt indoo of differe to a variety erbs they want s in ta n eh wish. k co The boo rs can choose th d design if they te se n U ri p s. e ge pa in th d colourplant an
e ng how th bs’ rd detaili Her A storyboa and use ‘Helping buy er would
Throughout my time at University and whilst on placement I developed a wide range of skills both software based and in the workshops. This year I believe I have really honed in on my graphics skills, producing a wide range of documents from storyboarding to UI design, infographics and posters. I enjoy working on identity, brand and user experience focused projects, that require analysis of customers’ perceptions, needs and reasons behind the decisions they make.
SEED PAPER K O O B G N I R U COLO
g ng pottin ace-savi , unique sp ened, washed a s in ta flatt con Each kit after use can be r re-use. te h tidy whic nd secured for la pa rolled-u
, so th rolled up in the kit le fastener t d e iv ce idd is re The tidy ds to undo the m ee simply n the mat.
e ng how th . rd detaili book A storyboa e the colouring us ld user wou
I have also greatly improved my knowledge in the workshops, from being on placement I was required to get involved with all areas of workshop activities on a daily basis, from the traditional metal and woodworking skills to CNC laser and plasma cut projects.
l t, a grave ed, a po s you ne ed paper square rb e h n your ow ost tablet, a se To grow mp a coir co water. sachet, ll of warm fu d li a and
l into a p of grave ne sachet ttom of the po o Empty o b e ver th ed abo should co post to be rais com potting
POTTING TIDY
Storyboarding explaining and showing how to use the various elements of the Helping Herbs kit. ould e user w ng how th rd detaili the potting tidy. oa yb or e A st e and us assembl
le the who ter over te a ful of wa the pot, to crea d li a lf a our h top of Slowly p . Place a lid on ace top surf propagator. nt mini pla
ck in th elps to lo need The lid h ation. It in rm ge help d growt ks of see few wee
her onalises arah pers hotographs ctions S p ru g st in d in d e a wing th after ame and ing the n nds. A few days e post. y chang s in th nd frie e a iv y il rr a m Dad, fa alised kit e person ering th
er. it togeth rap the k erbs they unw y need to grow h y a d th ir e ds sb e th r‘ g se e in h et it P th On very ok w ves! uring bo ey find e Inside th including a colo which her Dad lo s, d, from see within the page ed embedd
r r can tea n, the use - no need loured-i s co ge d is e n d g te e desi erfora Once th ng the p uare alo out a sq ! rs for scisso
s in ng hinge e the livi s ser will se ngle which mark u e th d cta rolle Once un r and an inner re e each corn g area. in the work
oisture to th and m e first he warm r th fo d se u ds to be th.
The appear. should edlings venly se e e re th a s s k d 3 wee the see After 2 th. res that per ensu mum early grow seed pa ti p o r fo d te u ib tr dis
re e sides a rners th ll four co dy. It allows a r fo is ting th y. tting ti By repea produce the po to within the tra to any mess erected e n fi n to co the user
ot and to the p compost er square on e th f o p majority post. seed pa Add the ing com . Lay the e remain by hand level the ver thinly with th co top and
gm e pottin y have th er n happil erience the diff ca r se u exp The e tray to th in se loo . s of each attribute
yer of ottom la paper d ws, the b ion sho ost and the see ct se ss ost. mp The cro ed by co in layer of comp w o ll fo th a h gravel, it w topped square,
the sid write on hel l arker to Use a m e herb - this wil r! th name of (and eating) late g harvestin
E
V CHI y
sle
Par
The tray sill tray. window e the user s th rt to le e pot in r that a -up. d Place th moisture senso e p p be to ilt eeds to n an in-bu ir o rv e rese when th
has
ot s good ro promote m the tray ttom up o o fr b p e u r th e wate g from Waterin draws th s the soil growth a . reservoir
, in a warm nd place n o pots a ater whe tw w r e ) ll th si o r the indow Repeat fo on (eg kitchen w ti light posi by the indicator. d prompte
gs ar e seedlin When th are establis y e th Once st o to harve can start
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l
l l l l l l l
t - it plant po the ws o ll a It t. o vel. water le ove the
the pot
ners. To a pair ap faste inching air of sn r has a p user starts by p e rn co e th Each y, d ti le the assemb ther. ers toge of fasten
y tting tid r the po atch it a bowl o W . in l) t fu le d b ater (1 li e coir ta Place th 5 ml of warm w ir! 17 little st a d and add e e n it may expand,
no en re eks have have be inder and A few we . The seedlings ring rem te ers a p w a p e d se esting! to th r thanks ady to start harv look afte re e b l il w y soon the
the seed re ad over su then spre ortant to make . is il so f imp yer o inate A thin la re watering. It is to germ s d e se e efo enable th paper b r is wet to the pape
l l l l l l l
he user to unroll
y within l fit neatl uare wil ! sq sy d ea te very rfora Each pe wing the seeds so ke a m to
d simple ing enclose w read the d ard to gro s a rw D r fo e ie dh look o activit Sarah an s together and d to le b ga ion ted. instruct Sarah loves bein la u im st s. ind the herb d to keep his m Da with her
e unit ont of th on the fr plants
light y till the r into tra ht comes te a w r u lig po time the p, slowly To top u epeat this every of water for the ke t. R ta in r la u goes ou a reg o supply
plants. the To access a tr from the
Exhibition Designer £32.5K per year
Aeronautical Engineer £47.5K per year Food Technologist £37.5K per year
Mechanical Engineer £42.5K per year
Nuclear Engineer £37.5K per year Packaging Technologist £40K per year
Footwear Designer £25K per year Prop Maker £20K per year
Illustrator £32.5K per year
Engineering & Construction Typographer £39.5K per year
Carpenter/Joiner £25K per year z
Chemical Engineer £42.5K per year
Materials Technologist £42.5K per year
Lighting Designer £42.5K per year
Graphic Designer £29K per year
Architect £52.5K per year
Product Designer £42.5K per year
zz
Civil Engineer £42.5K per year
Cabinet Maker £32.5K per year
Naval Architect £37.5K per year
A project designed for the lunchtime Junior DT Club
Structural Engineer £42.5K per year
Manufacturing & Production
Design, Arts & Crafts
Lighting Technician £32.5K per year
Set Designer £33.5K per year
Or what about Teaching? up to £50K per year
If you like Design, Technology and Engineering, these are just some of the careers you could choose!
WHERE WILL DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING TAKE YOU?
Sketches showing my novel take on the desk tidy
An informative yet playful poster designed whilst on placement to illustrate to students what careers studying D&T can lead to
ance your neys day, wheth be a bette er it r restaurant route home, a hidd en , or unchar ted nature Discover ? takes you for an adve TfL to a place nture and expe rience un known.
HOW TO US Explore a E nd Discover Once paire d with your phone, gr asp and all smart ow the sensors to take read ings Select the category from the menu, in this case culture. Follow the be to a location aring to be guided . It will vib rate when
ected wor ons throug c longer phone. Th ld have the h your sm en throug luxury of di we no art travel, we h its skin scovery. To it measure sensors, ‘pre-googl s your moo e’ , do informatio levels of fa d, stress an n on routes wnloading tigue, TfL d transport , means of Discover you on an and guides appropria sense adve sites,taking away te journey on these the based nture, the factors, th unknown e time the excite and ment. TfL your locatio of day and Discover us to expl n. allows ore withou t the need to plan ahead.
the bearing changes to to change notify you course. Once arriv ed location, th at the mystery e device wi you, and ll signal send infor mation to phone for your browsing and learn about your ing new disco very.
Storyboarding used to describe and illustrate how one might use TfL Discover and the different scenarios it could cover
SCENAR IO Commute 1 and Travel Tim has ha d at work. A a very stressful day typ consists of ical journey home be small unde ing cramped in a rground ca rriage. Today tim e decides to Discover to take him use TfL on journey ho a new me.
By reading Tim’s stres it calculat s levels es a more relaxing journey ho me involv ing a shor walk throug t h the park ride. and a bus Tim arrives ho ready to en me relaxed and joy his ev ening.
SCENAR IO 2 Leisure a nd Fitness Sarah is m ee the day, th ting her friend for ey plan to go but are bo red of their running, normal route. To avoid re ve usual, they rting back to the use TfL Di scover to plan and navigate a new route
based on their prefer re terrain an d speed to d distance, provide th with a new em and more enjoyable experienc e.
Once they ’ve coffee shop finished, a local is sugges ted for them to continu e thier da y.
A cheese board made from various offcuts of different timbers, laser engraved with a personalised motif
A replica anglepoise lamp modelled in solidworks.