Sometimes we come across things that for whatever reason, whether it’s because they are simple, practical, clever or beautiful, pique our interest or make us stop in our tracks as we think, ‘I wish I’d designed that’. We put this question to our team and the answers were as varied as we are.
So team, what ‘something’ do you wish you’d designed...
…the 3D printer
“We’ve had Formlabs 3D printers in our studio for a couple of years now and they’re just brilliant. Without boring everyone with the technical details, they’re just really well designed machines that use very clever technology to do something really quite simple. Ours keeps surprising us with new things we can do with it. Having it has certainly changed the way we work.”
– Tim Flood, Product Designer
… OXO Good Grips
“Back at university I did a project on inclusive design and OXO Good Grips’ range of user-centred kitchen utensils, was one of the products we looked at. It’s bigger, grippier handles were originally designed for people who can’t grip very well, like those who suffer from arthritis. But as with many inclusive products it appealed to a wider audience. My family had the measuring jug, which I think is really cleverly designed. Instead of having the measurements on the side, which is difficult to read and often involves you having to bend down, the OXO one is angled so you can read the measurements from above.”
– Beth Sanderson, Product Designer
…the cordless vacuum cleaner
“I hate vacuuming and I never understand why vacuums have a cord because they just get in the way.”
– Julia Van Zelst, Accountant
…the E-scooter
“You can hire these electric mobility scooters via an app on your smartphone to conveniently get around many European cities. They are a great mode of transport. Just before lockdown I went to Dusseldorf and we hired one to do a bit of sightseeing along the riverside. I didn't look particularly cool but I thought these things are very cool.”
– Nick Bramley, Business Development
…the Fairphone
“I’m really interested in the circular economy and the completely modular Fairphone is a great example of it in action. It’s all about design for disassembly and repair and reuse. So if you want to upgrade your camera, for instance, you don’t buy a whole new phone like most people would, you take out the camera segment and simply replace it with an upgraded one. It’s a very conscious company that is designing some pretty cool products.”
– Pippa Bridges, Product Designer
…cat’s eyes
“A fantastically simple device that had a transformational impact on road safety globally. Inspired by the eyeshine reflecting from the eyes of a cat, inventor Percy Shaw of Halifax patented his invention in 1935. I don’t suppose he knew at the time how transformational his reflective road stud would be and almost 90 years later still be in use. It just goes to show that the best designs don’t have to be highly technical or sexy, they can be simple, practical and useful for everybody.
– Richard Hall, Managing Director