I’ve recently designed, developed and put into production a new exciting item of play equipment. It’s called the ‘Abyss’, hopefully we’ll sell a lot of these, looking forward to trying it out! There’s not much like it out there and it’s worked out pretty reasonable on price so it should do well.
# UPDATE #
Recently I found out that my entry was the winner of the 1920’s category !! I have a very nice certificate and soon to be the proud owner of a prototype and eventually be able to see my swanky eye protectors on the shelves! Cracking.
I have recently submitted an entry into the Polaroid ‘Best under the sun’ competition in which designers had to create unique eye-wear inspired by a decade of history.
My design, which I titled ‘Stream’, was inspired by the Streamline Moderne movement of the 1930’s. I have incorporated elements of 1930’s architecture and product design in to the styling, and focused on the clean lines and minimalist colours and materials used at that time.
My entry to the BRAUN Prize 2012, an annual design competition.
I chose to design a mixing machine to compete with the traditional ‘pivot arm’ designs currently available. The design uses far less materials, surface area, packaging and a reduced environmental impact, not to mention a competitive price in comparison to those on the market, lets see how we do……
Click the image below to link to more info.
Autodesk Inventor 2011 / 3dsmax / Adobe Photoshop / Sketching
Seating with a twist, Cogz is a fun and colourful seating solution. Link them together, stack them to create various seating heights, or simply use one on its own.
Manufactured from Rotationally Moulded Polyethylene
Autodesk Inventor 2011 / £dsmax / Adobe Photoshop / Sketching
Fun and interactive seating design for schools / nurseries. Seating sections can be linked together to create various shapes or circular communal areas.
Manufactured from rotationally moulded polyehtylene.
Autodesk Inventor 2011 / 3ds Max / Adobe photoshop / Sketching
Design for a modular table / seating for use in school study areas, with integrated power source.
Autodesk Inventor 2011 / Adobe Photoshop / Sketching / 3ds Max
Design for a low cost, stackable seating solution with integrated linkage for modular layouts, and storage in the arm.
Autodesk Inventor / Sketching / 3ds Max / Adobe Photoshop
This was a concept for a free standing food preparation area for use in schools. It features a compact design with sliding chopping board, integrated storage and mess-free waste disposal.
Sketching / Autodesk Inventor 2011 / 3ds Max / Adobe Photoshop
Here is a design I came up with for a new bar stool that enables users to hang accessories such as hand bags, jackets, scarves etc. The idea came to me in a dream so I thought I would engineer it and put it on the site!
Engineered in AutoDesk Inventor 2011, Rendered in 3ds Max Design 2009, Illustrated in Photoshop CS3
A few examples here of concept play equipment currently being engineered in Autodesk Inventor ready for manufacture. These are innovative designs that hopefully will put some fun back into the industry.
3ds Viz / Adobe Photoshop / Poser / Autodesk Inventor
A recent product I have developed is a steel hang-out shelter for teenagers. It was developed from initial sketches, through various design changes and prototypes to a fully engineered product and is currently being manufactured and installed all over the UK.
Sketching / 3ds Viz (3d modelling) / Autodesk inventor / prototype modelling / Adobe photoshop (for visuals)
I use a lot of 3d modelling packages, and have a good knowledge of both visualitation software and mechanical engineering software. To date, I have regularly used Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, Mechanical Desktop, 3ds Max, 3ds Viz, Solid works, Sketchup, Poser.
I have used many forms of modelling to create prototype products such as clay, rapid prototyping and fully working models in steel, plastic etc..
An example of product design featured at the New Designers Exhibition.
Sketching / Adobe Photoshop / Adobe Illustrator / Modelling
An example of graphic visualization using sketching, markers and digital enhancement
Adobe Photoshop / Adobe Illustrator
The company needed to bring their logo into the noughty’s. it had to be bright and funky as that’s what the Play industry is all about at the end of the day. We settled on a couple of versions, one for formal publications and letter heads, and one for presentation material…
Adobe Photoshop / Illustator
A 79 page A4 brochure targeting schools. 5000+ printed
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat
A 69 page A4 brochure targeting schools. 5000+ printed
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat
An A3 folded mail out targeting Schools & Nurseries. 500+ printed
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat
An A3 folded mail out targeting Schools & Nursery’s. 500+ printed
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat
An A3 folded mail out targeting Councils. 500+ printed
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat
An A4 folded mail out targeting Schools & Nursery’s. 500+ printed
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat
A few T-shirts I have designed….
This is a website I up’keep for my current employer. It is a WordPress site with some great features such as a site locator and product information downloads.
XHTML, CSS, WordPress, Javascript, SQL Database
I designed and host the on-line presence of Rock band Operator Six, it’s a clean and functional site with lots of links and widgets to other on-line services catered towards spreading the word for up-coming bands. This was my first ever website so not bad for a first attempt.
XHTML, CSS, Flash
Poster design for the ‘No Nukes’ competition.
My poster ‘Choice’ illustrates the negative effects of nuclear power and flows through to illustrate the positive effects of green energy. The symbols represent the various forms of natural energy available such as solar, bio, hot springs, wind, water etc.. The poster also uses the image of hands and the globe to portray the message ‘the world is in your hands’ and you have a choice ‘?’ to use the methods in the poster over nuclear power.
I worked on designing the logo for rock band Operator Six, themed around dirty sleazy, boozy rock and roll !!
check out their website
Logo design for Advanced Hydraulics Ltd.
Darren Akeroyd 