PHILIP McCOURT PRODUCT DESIGNER M: +44 78 3458 5087 E: p_mccourt@hotmail.com
INTRO I enjoy working along the design process to create or re-develop products and communicating my ideas through different forms of media. I take a very systematic approach, which has helped develop my work in final year, using product design methodology. I would like to further develop my skills as a designer in a Graduate Product Designer role.
NEPTUNE FLOOD DEFENCE A property level flood protection device, designed for standard exterior doorways.
NEED After the ‘UK’s second wettest year on record’ [.5], and the removal of the Statement of Principles, the need for property level flood protection has never been greater. The traditional sandbag has been the go to protection product for years, but it has its own limitations with inefficiency, weight, and disposal. It is believed that there is a need for a product, to provide users with a more efficient and capable flood defence, giving them a greater peace of mind. The solution is a product designed to prevent flood water from entering a building through a standard doorway. For the user’s convenience, the device has been designed, so that they with the use of one hand can install it with a single motion.
Philip McCourt
Product Design Technology
Final year
PROCESS AND DEVELOPMENT
Front -end design work
Concept Development Process
PDS
Concept Screening
Concept Scoring
Flexible approach to concept
Concept Selected
The Gallery Method
Concept Generation Doorway Frame
Push Handle
Compressible Sealing Material
Plunger
Slider
Spring
Pivots
Stop block
Side Arms
Noting Everything Down
Design Development
Final Design
Search Internally: Concept Sketches
CONCEPT SELECTION AND DEVELOPMENT In this project I continues to follow the methodology set out in ‘Product Design and Development by Karl Ulrich and Steven D. Eppinger.’ This is a two-stage concept selection process, which includes concept screening and then concept scoring. Concept Screenings purpose is to narrow the number of concepts quickly and improve the concepts. ‘Concept Scoring is used when increased resolution will better differentiate among competing concepts.’ The relative importance of the selection criterias weighed and the concept scores are determined by the weighted sum of the ratings. The concept that was eventually chosen was a floating board device with the abstract concept that the device will use the buoyancy generated by the floodwater to rise higher as the depth of the floodwater rises.
Problem with the Concept Unfortunately, after looking at the products architecture, the concept was deemed unviable because there was no way of creating a watertight seal in the doorway and allow the floating board device to rise upwards and keeping the seal intact. So the design had to be halted and reassessed. A decision was made that the floating board concept had to be forgotten about, so after I took a step back, it was decided that the constraints had to be altered slightly. The constraints added were that the whole installation operation could be completed with one hand. Tests with weights and scales were carried out to find out what was an acceptable weight to carry with one arm and that came to 9kg. New ideas and designs were drawn up with the sealing mechanism being the main focus.
PROTOTYPING Prototyping was carried out throughout the design and development process. Material tests were carried to prove that an appropriate material had been chosen as the compressible sealing material. Modelling helped build a better understanding of how the product would work, proving and disapproving concepts.
EPDM Rubber
It brought up, previously unthought up issues and problems surrounding the design. Such as having to adapt to different types of doorways, in terms of doorway frames, thresholds, and sills.
FINAL PROTOTYPE Two prototypes have been manuafctured, one to show how the mechanism works and the other as an aesthetical prototype to show -how the product will act during flooding conditions.
Self Adhesive EPDM Strip
Compression Foam Idea
Rough Geometic Layout
Sealing Material Test
First Barrier Prototype
FINAL DESIGN
MECHANISM
Stage 1: Raised and unlocked The handle is push vertically downwards and this leads to the sides being pushed out to compress the sealing material against the doorway.
Stage 2: Point of Over Centre The sealing material is compressed against the door frame, creating a strong seal.
Stage 3: Lowered and Locked Compression Seal
No Permanent Fixings
One-Handed Installation
Reusable
Self Sealing Design
Cantilever
The seal is created and the mechanism is now locked, preventing any horizontal forces frompushing the side parts inwards, and removing the seal.
STORYBOARD
EXPLODED VIEW
User recieves a flood alert warning and retrieves the device from strorage.
User places device in desired doorway.
Back Casing
User presses down on the mechanism to lock the device and create a strong seal.
EPDM Rubber
Mechanism
The user then just has to ride out the potential flooding and remove the devicewhen it disappears.
Fixing Face
Exterior Face
IMPROVEMENTS AND EVALUATION To further develop this product, adjustments could be made to the compression mechanism, to make sure the seal between the doorframe and device is watertight.
Improve the connection between the compressing side arm and the sealing material to create a more efficient seal
Another improvement could be made to how the EPDM rubber sheet is attached to the device. Instead of using an adhesive, the use of fastners should be used so if the compressing material needs replaced then it can be disassembled easier. The outcome of this project is a product that has met most of its original specification. The device is a superior property level flood protection product than the benchmarked sandbag, in the sense thatit will prevent water coming through the doorway with a higher efficiency.
Develop Compressing Mechanism to Ensure the Seal is Watertight
It weighs almost half as much as an optimally filled sandbag and it can be reused again without any need for drying time. The product represents a better option than other property level flood protection products because of its low cost, easy installation and lack of permanent fixings needed.
Reduce amount of adhesive used in design and replace with demountable fastners
Other Final year Projects Aluminum Extrusion Wheelie Bin Storage Summary of the project This projects brief has been taken from a competitions called the ‘Power of Aluminium’, however this competition is not running this year, so Hydro an aluminium supplier company has taken over this brief for this year. The briefs entry criteria states that any design or new product must have an aluminium extrusion to form an integral part. I choose to design a product that would be used as a wheelie bin storage device. I decided to work on this because I had a few experiences of getting my wheelie bin stolen and I don’t believe they are aesthetically pleasing so I decided to work on a way of locking the bins away as well as blending them into the garden scenery. I thought I could use aluminium because it has high weather and corrosion resistance properties, which are suitable for this type of outdoor product.
WHEELIE BINS ARE AN...
27 27 27
27 27
Crowded and messy
Unstable and spillages
EYESORE
Anti-social and criminal behaviour
HARMONIZE WHEELIE BIN STORAGE SYSTEM Blend your bins into the garden background. It is designed with aluminium extrusions as the main components
Trellis design to help blend bins in to garden scenery with a natural look.
Key components manufactured using
extruded aluminium.
KEY FEATURES
The base and frame of the product were designed with aluminium extrusions for easy assembly using latitudinal joining and high strength to low weight ratios
Movable Plant Box The plant box in its starting position at the front of the storage device, helping to conceal the wheelie bin
When the user needs access to the bin lid then they push back the plant box
Harmonize in action
HARMONIZE Then plant box is then pushed to the end and the user can easily access the bin lid
Blend your bins into the garden background.
Hydro Product Design Competition Philip McCourt p_mccourt@hotmail.com
w10024475
Urban Kingdom Clothing Company
Other Projects (1st and 2nd year)
Director of Branding and Design
Produced a Technical Specification for a Mechanical System
As part of a Young Enterprise module I set up a successful business selling handmade screen-printed apparel with a team. This activity has helped me develop an insight in how to run a small business. I have really enjoyed the branding aspect and how to sell a product to a customer. I created the logo to match type of brand that we wanted and from there I created business cards, posters, T-shirt designs and flash animations.
Brief I have been employed by an industrial design and development company working in a team which is looking to develop the design of a workshop crane.
As a business, we have been to two successful trade fairs and sold online. We will be closing down the business at the end of the year to focus on other commitments.
Below is an example of what the technical report entailled:
There are several parts to the project and I have been tasked with a full technical and functional specification against which a previous product, may be benchmarked.
Motion of the Crane by the Hydraulic System
Movement of the jib, with each stroke of the hydraulic cylinder (15mm) to it’s max stroke of 52mm
A1 Pump Pump Pump Pump Pump Pump Pump
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Angle1 (degrees) 90 92.28 94.88 97.37 99.9 102.49 105.12
A¹
6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Oakley - Beyond Reason Competition Design Brief To design the next generation of Oakley eyewear that will allow a long distance athlete to enhance their performance, be differentiated from existing eyewear products (either Oakley’s or that of their competition) and embody the Oakley design philosophy and brand statement “Beyond Reason”. Identify a key insight and/or technology that will enhance the performance. For an athlete physiological and psychological factors both play parts in enhancing their performance. The athlete should feel proud to wear this product with therealization that they are using the best possible eyewear to fufill their potential.
Chosen discipline Track & Field The chosen discipline is going to be track & field but more specifically endurance running including athletes who compete in long distance running such as 5000m, 1000m and marathon running. The product should be aim at high performance and professional athletes. The market and demand will grow for the product as amateur athletes will always want the products that the professionals are using. In 2010 a record of 37,527 competed in the London Marathon, showing that there is a massive market for equipment for this sport, with various different types of competitors, from high performance professional athletes to the casual fun runners. Spring loaded design Adjustable Wire-core temples for perfect individual fit
Two designs for interchangeable lenses
Clip in design
Frames with Vent Holes
Air flow
Eye Cross-sectional View
Grizzlies
Final Presentation Poster Boards HINGES
Five-barrel stainless steel hinge to give extra strength
LENSES
Made of polycarbonate, which is 10x more shatter, scratch, and impact resistant than any lens material available
HALF RIMMED FRAMES
RIBBED SILICONE NOSE PIECE Made of soft silicon, to keep the glasses secure on the athletes face and prevent them from sliding down your nose. Air vents direct air to the user’s face to prevent fogging
Allows the athlete, perfect vision of the track while giving the glasses structural solidarity and protects the eyes from direct sun rays coming over the top of the lenses. Made of TR9 Nylon 12 for indestructible durability and extreme lightweight properties
SWEAT GUTTER AIR FLOW SLOTS To direct airflow to the athlete’s face, to prevent foggingand reduce sweat
ERGONOMIC 360º ADJUSTABLE TEMPLE TIPS Temple tips can be adjusted in any direction, to allow the athlete to optimise comfort. Gives the perfect fit and eliminates pinching. Non-slip rubber compound with a nikel-silver alloy core
KEY FEATURES PHILIP MCCOURT
PVC Gutter prevents sweat from getting into the athletes eyes and then becoming sore and irritated, restricting the athlete from high performance
INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES Clip on/off interchangable lenses desgn, allows athlete to quickly change between different lenses to protect eyes from various light conditions
Stairs Handy Grip Design Brief The brief stated that a product had to be designed to make the lifes of someone with a disabilitity easier. I decided to design a product to help people who have trouble climbing steep stairs. My grandma was the source of my inspirartion for this design as she previously said she found it diďŹƒcult walking up and down the stairs, especially if she had shopping bags with her. The idea of this product was so that the user did not have to let the grip of the rail go at any point, making it safer and easier to walk up and down the stairs. This project as a whole helped me to start thinking about inclusive design.
Lighting Association - Competition Design Brief ‘Your design must be a functional light for use within the domestic environment and be suitable for volume production and retail.’ I choose to design a task light for personal home use and for offices. I decided to give the light a natural feel as well as being a space saver for busy desks.
Other Random Sketchbook Drawings
Arbor
Task Light with a “Secret” Warmth
Philip McCourt w10024475 Northumbria University Student Lighting Design Awards 2012
About Me
Education
I am a creative and industrious person committed to fulfilling my potential and achieving success in the industrial design of modern technology, product development and innovation.
2010 – 2013 University of Northumbria BSc (Hons) Product Design Technology
Outside design and universtity, I am very active and competitive and enjoy a range of sports. I played rugby at all levels at school and participated in the 2011 Great North Run and raised funds for St. John’s Ambulance. I also play on a football team in a Newcastle University fun league.
Skills
2008 – 2009 University of Ulster BSc Hons Sports Technology GCSEs 8 including Maths, English, English Literature and Technology & Design A Levels Moving Images, Technology and Design & Economics
I am confident and enjoy in communicating my ideas through different forms of media including sketching, using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and recently I created promotional flash animations for my business using Adobe Flash Proffesional. I am proficient with 3D Digital Modelling with SolidWorks 2013, PhotoView 360, AutoCAD 2010, Pro/DESKTOP 2008
Experience
PHILIP McCOURT PRODUCT DESIGNER
Thank You For Viewing My Portfolio
M: +44 78 3458 5087 E: p_mccourt@hotmail.com
10/2012 – onwards Director of Branding and Design (Urban Kingdom Clothing Company) 10/2008 – 8/2010 & 3/2006 – 7/2008 Customer Sales Assistant (The Co-Operative Group)