designedbynicola Portfolio
I am an enthusiastic designer who approaches every new project as a challenge, throughout the design process continuously learning new skills to help me improve my work. Skills. Model Making Sketching Project Management Leadership Photography
My name is Nicola Murphy, and I am currently studying Furniture and Product Design at Nottingham Trent University. nicola@designedbynicola.com designedbynicola.com +44 (0) 7425143629
The Alfresco Collection. The Alfresco Collection has been designed for the private residential communal gardens. The purpose of this collection is for the user to customise their outdoor seating areas in whatever way they like. Incorporating more greenery and plants into a residential built-up inner city communal gardens. Being able to customise the collection to your needs; changing the material, colour and the arrangement.
Product Inclusivity. The Alfresco Collection has been designed for an inclusive environment. The accessories have been designed to accommodate a variety of users needs. These small additions will help to create an environment that loads of users will feel comfortable using in the comfort of their own home.
The smaller plant boxes, have been designed to encourage young children into the garden, where they can grow small herbs and other plants.
The young & middle aged residence, can use the space, the privacy with the screens allows them to use them without causing too much disturbance to other residence.
The seat height plant boxes, have been purposefully designed to a suitable height for both wheel chair users and the elderly residents, where bending down to ground level is a challenge
twelve:twelve. This wall clock, is made up of ash and corian. The clock was initially designed to help those that suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, as the use of the back-lit corian, helps to emphasis the time.
Research.
The project began with experimenting with materials that can be back-lit; for example, bulls-eye glass, corian and sand blasted acrylic. The corian gave a much more even light diffuse.
Ideation & Development.
The initial concepts which were developed started from a simple wall hung clock, to playing on the idea of creating a modern grandfather clock. The concept of the clock only having the one hand, meant that if the user was to use the product as a light box it wouldn’t feel like they are wasting time.
St. Machar’s Cathedral Church, Aberdeen This project was completed during my time on placement with Luke Hughes. I designed the pieces of furniture as part of the refurbishment of the church furniture. The duration of the project was approximately 8 months. Thank you to the directors at Luke Hughes for allowing me to show the photographs and some technical drawings within this portfolio. Photo Š Luke Hughes & co. 2016 - 2018 In collaboration with:
Tilt. A multi-functional desk light, designed as part of a collaboration project with Strate Design School in Paris. This light is designed for those with a small living space and thus need a light that can be used in a variety of ways depending on the situation. In collaboration with:
the multi-functional desk light
Research.
Research and inspiration came from small living spaces and the need for easily adjustable free-standing lighting, and the changing of light distribution. Big enough to hold in one hand, which can be easily moved around, depending on the location and occasion.
Ideation & Development.
Development and ideation of the light, had to happen quickly due to short duration of this project, only having 2 days to finalise the design. Making quick models was the easiest way of quick development.
Click to see the featured article
Lying Down...
Stood Up...
...Or Hanging.
Smart Cycling Helmet. The purpose of this product is to help reduce the rate of serious head injuries among commuters in large cities such as London. Using a combination of smart materials, that work together to create a helmet, and therefore reduce the injury to the brain on impact. Designed around:
Cycling helmet designed with concussion at mind
Kevlar and shear-thickening liquid outer-shell Further hardening on impact, the colour changing element highlighting the area of impact.
Size adjustment Adjusting the helmet to securely fit the users head.
Koroyd absorbent padding A highly absorbent material, used to absorb the shock on impact.
The graphene neck support Is a supportive neck material, used to help the potentially weak joint between the top of the spin and skull.
Adjustable nylon chin strap Which can be easily removed by the paramedics, using the magnetic strap.
On impact, the helmet materials property change, including the area of impact change colour. If a cyclist should need medical attention for a head injury the medical professionals will be able to see at a glance the main area of impact.
Wa Harmony Tea Caddy. This project is based around a personal research project, I chose to look at the Social Conventions of Tea, in different cultures, portraying this within 3 different objects that must be able to be used together. Using the idea of portability and tea on the go to develop a tea caddy, aimed to help people take a break from their busy lives.
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Designed for Harmony Tea, on the go
Product Storyboard.
Go outside in the fresh air...
Boil the water in the kettle...
Forage for sticks and twigs for the fire...
Once the tea has been brewed, pour into the tea bowls...
Create the fire in the fire-pit...
Enjoy the outside, and socialise...
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