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"Great design will not sell an inferior product, but it will enable a great product to achieve its maximum potential."

Thomas J. Watson Jr.

latest product design news

Date: 10 July 2023
Design Innovation in Plastics Award Winner 2023 Scott Rutherford

Brightworks Placement for Design Innovation in Plastics Award Winner 2023

Scott Rutherford (centre), a second year product design student from Edinburgh Napier University, has won a placement at Brightworks after being selected as a finalist in the Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) Awards 2023 for his ‘Rotary Bottle Opener’ design.

Scott’s product is a device which converts downward pressure into turning force - for removing screw top lids from bottles with ease. His product was designed to help people who have limited dexterity in their hands or wrists and was inspired by his own experience with dexterity issues caused by a medical condition. The bottle opener is made from polypropylene; around 65% of which could be made from recycled bottle caps.

Brightworks Managing director, Graeme Paterson (right) said, “We were very impressed with the technical creativity of his product. Scott will be a perfect match for a placement at Brightworks and we are very much looking forward to him coming”.

Brightworks has been a sponsor for the DIP Awards for 13 years, which was established in 1985 and is the longest running student plastics design awards in Europe. This year's brief, which asked students to design a product for the kitchen or the bathroom, which was to be made primarily from plastics and could be an original product or a significant improvement on an existing product.

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Date: 4 July 2022
Design Innovation in Plastics Award Winner 2022 Zara King

Placement at Brightworks for Design Innovation in Plastics Award Winner 2022

Zara King, a product design student from Teesside University, has won a placement at Brightworks after coming first place in the Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) Awards 2022 with her product, EasyMode.

EasyMode is a re-usable bedpan, for a pulp liner to fit inside, and provides a more secure and comfortable support for people to use in any healthcare setting. The use of existing bedpans often causes awkwardness and distress to patients and Zara chose to design this product as a solution to 'a major problem in the NHS'.

The bedpan is designed with a wide base so it sits comfortably on the bed and presses down into the mattress when the patient is rolled on and off without tipping. Chairman of judges, Richard Brown said, "Zara was a worthy winner who had tackled a sensitive issue and come up with a product which was already fit to go to market". Brightworks Managing Director, Graeme Paterson said, "We are delighted to welcome Zara to join us this summer for her placement".

Brightworks has been a sponsor for the DIP Awards for 12 years, which was established in 1985 and is the longest running student plastics design awards in Europe. This year's brief, 'Design for Healthcare', encouraged students to design a product made primarily of plastics, for the healthcare sector, which can be used in demanding applications, but also exploits the longevity of plastics.

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Date: 7 December 2021
Best Plastic Industrial Product Design Award 2021

Best Plastics Product Design Award Winners 2021 Announced

Brightworks managing director, Graeme Paterson, was involved again this year as a judge for three design categories of the Plastics Industry Awards 2021 and would like to pass on his congratulations to all the finalists and winners. The annual award ceremony took place at the Waldorf Hilton in London on the 2nd of December. The picture above shows Graeme (far right) presenting the award for Best Industrial Product Design to Avon Protection for their CH15 - Compact CBRN Escape Hood. Other winners included Hymid Multi-Shot for the Chilly’s Series 2 reusable bottle and coffee cup.

Graeme has been a regular on the PIA judging panel over the past 10 years after Brightworks won the award in 2005. The PIA’s were launched in 2001 and are annually held in London, the event is devoted to rewarding innovation and excellence and ‘acknowledges the best companies and the best people in the market’.

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Date: 18 October 2021
Product Design Innovation in Plastics Award 2021

Pradip Gurung Wins Placement at Brightworks in DIP Design Awards 2021

Pradip Gurung (above) wins a placement at Brightworks in the 2021 Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) Award for his product, Stratus. We are thrilled welcome him to join us at Brightworks for his placement.

Stratus is a wildlife collar, specially designed to prevent illegal poaching of big cats. It is made using high impact polystyrene and injection moulded Pebax elastomers. Pradip was one of six finalists who were chosen from a near record submission of entries, Chairman of judges, Richard Brown said ?Our finalists have grasped the need for sustainable products in the natural world?.

Brightworks has been a sponsor for the Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) Award for 11 years now, which was established in 1985. The DIP Award is the longest running student plastics design award in Europe. This year's brief, ?Design for a Natural World? encouraged university students to come up with brand new products made primarily of plastic to explore sustainability, quality and recyclability.

Pradip has just graduated from a Product Design Masters at Brunel University and is currently working as a Product Designer at Hornby Hobbies. He is seen above with his product, Stratus, which won him a place as a highly commended finalist.

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Date: 6 July 2020
Product Design Innovation in Plastics Award 2020

Matthew Shaw Wins Placement at Brightworks in DIP Design Awards 2020

Matthew Shaw (above), a third year student studying Product Design at De Montford University in Leicester, wins a placement at Brightworks in the 2020 Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) Award for his 'Andas One' app for smart devices.

This year's brief, 'Urban Living' encouraged the students to design a brand new product to enhance life in a city environment and save resources, for use in a flat or whilst commuting. The 'Andas One' app enables commuters living in urban areas to measure air quality and select the most direct and cleanest route to walk to work. The product impressed the panel of renowned industry judges, with its creative effort to solve problems such as pollution and staying fit.

Established in 1985, the DIP Award is the longest running student plastics design award in Europe and Brightworks has been a sponsor of the Award for over 10 years. Managing Director, Graeme Paterson said "We are delighted to have Matthew and hope he will be able to carry out his placement soon, when lock-down rules allow and social distancing can be observed".

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Date: 8 July 2019
Product Design Innovation in Plastics Award 2019

Product Design Student Wins Placement at Brightworks

Namgyun Ryu (centre) wins a placement at Brightworks in the 2019 Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) Award for his 'Tri Walker', a foldable walking assistance product.

The 'Tri Walker' is a walking aid for the elderly, providing enhance mobility and improved functionality over conventional walking aids. Made using polycarbonate, this folding walker can also be used as a chair, as well as being able to adjust the width according to the body shape of the user.

The Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) Award was first established in 1985 and is the longest running student plastics design award in Europe. Brightworks has been a sponsor of the award for approximately 10 years now. This year's brief 'Healthy Body - Healthy World' encouraged university students to come up with brand new products made primarily of plastic to improve health, wellbeing or encouraging exercise.

Namgyun is a first year MSc Integrated Product Design Student from Brunel University. He is seen above receiving his award from Professor Serena Best (left) - Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, and Dr David Giachardi (right) - Master of the Worshipful Company of Horners.

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Date: 23 July 2018
Product Design Innovation in Plastics Award 2018

Product Design Student Wins Placement at Brightworks

Zeina Mofti (left) wins a placement at Brightworks in the 2018 Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) Award for her 'G Cycle' indoor garden aquarium.

The 'G Cycle' is a solar-powered aquarium, which also has the capacity to grow plants in its waterwheel. It combines modern indoor gardening with home aquariums, seeking to enhance user well-being, by bringing nature into the house and providing the opportunity to grow plants such as herbs.

The Design Innovation in Plastics Award is the longest running student plastics design award in Europe. This year's brief 'Branching Out - Design for Garden Innovation' required students to design an innovative product, primarily from plastics, to help people connect with nature.

Zeina is shown above receiving her award from (centre) Bernie Rickinson - CEO of The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and (right) Graeme Paterson - Brightworks Managing Director.

Following her placement at Brightworks, Zeina will return to Brunel University to finish her Master's degree in Integrated Product Design.

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Date: 10 April 2018
Blagdon Amphibious IQ pond pump product design

Brightworks' client Blagdon launches new intelligent garden pond pump

The Blagdon Amphibious IQ Pond Pump is designed to have a very large open filter surface area, to reduce potential blockages due to slit build up, the pump features advanced pump technology with an adjustable flow rate to save energy.

Brightworks worked closely with our client Blagdon to develop the product concept design to a significant level of detail, using SolidWorks 3D CAD, ready for manufacture in the Far East.

The design also features good ergonomic handling and easy maintenance.

Watch an independent product review of the Amphibious IQ Pond Pump on YouTube.

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Date: 5 July 2017
Russell Kilgour Product Design Placement at Brightworks

Russell Kilgour Wins Placement at Brightworks in DIP Design Awards

Russell Kilgour (right) wins a placement at Brightworks in the 2017 Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) Award for his 'Nomad' utility travel camera bag design.

The 'Nomad' is a compact and lightweight camera bag, which is capable of protecting your camera equipment in transit and also allows you to keep it close at hand when exploring. The extremely versatile system can adapt to many different situations and scenarios.

The Design Innovation in Plastics Award is the longest running student plastics design award in Europe and the brief for this year's competition was titled "Design for Independent Travel". Russell received third prize for his 'Nomad' project, plus a cheque for ?250, as well as a one week placement at Brightworks Ltd.

Following his placement at Brightworks, Russell will return to Glasgow School of Art to complete his studies in Product Design Engineering.

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Date: 16 June 2017
Interpet New NeoAir Aquarium Pump Product Launched

Brightworks' client Interpet Launches Ground Breaking Aquarium Pump

Brightworks has been working on a number of new product developments for Interpet over a period of several years now and we were pleased to hear this month that Interpet had launched their new Neo Air aquarium pump range.

The Neo Air delivers everything you want in an aquarium air pump: quiet yet powerful - all in one neat little package.

Designed using the latest "electrical oscillation technology", Neo Air pumps deliver air without the need for a diaphragm - meaning no maintenance or replacement parts as well as quiet functioning.

With multiple fitting options, these pumps can be stored away and attached to the inside of your aquarium cabinet, suckered to the side of the glass or acrylic or left on display. In its modern and discreet case, with soft rubber feet, it is good enough to be left out on show. Available in two sizes: Mini - up to 25 litres and Midi - up to 50 litres - these pumps are perfect for small or Nano aquariums.

Brightworks worked on the exterior concept styling design for the 2 pump sizes and came up with ideas for bracket mounting.

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Date: 16 June 2016
Ciaran Brennan Wins Placement at Brightworks in DIP Design Awards

Ciaran Brennan Wins Placement at Brightworks in DIP Design Awards

Ciaran Brennan (right) wins a placement at Brightworks in the 2016 Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) Award for his 'Unicomb' product.

Regarding his project, Ciaran said: "the competition has given me that extra bit of excitement and push to develop my ideas further."

The Design Innovation in Plastics Award is the longest running student plastics design award in Europe and the brief for this year's competition was titled "Products for Pets". Ciaran received a Highly Commended Award for his project 'Unicomb' as well as a 1 week placement at Brightworks Ltd.

Following his placement at Brightworks, Ciaran will be entering his final year studying Product Design at Dublin Institute of Technology and is due to graduate in 2017.

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Date: 14 September 2015
Roisin Keyes Product Design Placement at Brightworks

Roisin Keyes Arrives for her Design Award Winning Placement

Brightworks welcomes Roisin Keyes (right) for a work placement following her award winning entry in the 2015 Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) Award for her "EasyKeys" design.

Regarding her project, Roisin said: "the use of plastics makes it lighter, it means that there is less maintenance required and then of course you can't colour metal." She also said, "this competition has been hugely beneficial, I just feel I have learnt so much from this process and from being able to do such in depth study into plastics. I feel I am better able now to achieve a much higher standard in my final project. I would recommend it to everyone."

The Design Innovation in Plastics Award is the longest running student plastics design award in Europe and the brief for this year's competition was titled "Design to Transcend Metal". Roisin received a Highly Commended Award for her project 'EasyKeys' as well as a placement at Brightworks Ltd.

Following her placement at Brightworks, Roisin will be entering her final year studying Product Design at Dublin Institute of Technology and is due to graduate in 2016.

View Roisin's portfolio. (link opens Riosin's Behance page in a new window)

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