This project was part of an entire refit run by 24 Design based in Manchester.

I was in charge of this part of the project, responsible for the engineering, design logistics and manufacture of the piece. It was a large undertaking, with the sculpture spanning 3 floors of the building, being 8 metres tall, floating 10.5 metres above the floor. Weighing in at 2 tonnes, and supporting 24 very large flat screen TV’s

24 often get jobs that need interactive installations, and my role is to design some of these interactives. They have to work safely, smoothly and effectively, often requiring much prototyping and problem solving. I am given a brief to work to, and free reign and responsibility to design the interactive. 24 Design do all the wiring, circuitry and art-work on the projects.

Recent jobs include:

*valve wheel simulation, rainfall simulation and weather cycle interactive for the Waterworks exhibit in Ashton-Under-Lyne.

*A butter churning barrel simulator, that uses a disc brake and cam system to control it.

*A giant Kaleidoscope interactive for Manchester Art Gallery that is in progress.

The cutlery is thoughtfully positioned to make optimum use of the space available. The knife and fork sandwich the spoon whose dish fits neatly into the hole in the backing sheet. The knife edge is serrated and ground and the parts are laser cut from 0.7mm stainless steel.

This is for any occasion when cutlery is not available; train journeys, work, camping etc.

The development of this product was an interesting process, as much prototyping and tool making was needed to get the finished product. I have included pictures of the process behind the product, showing tool making, pressing parts and making the packaging. All these processes were achieved in my Manchester workshop.

Designed and built with Rob Weigh from cavestudio.co.uk, this is an adaptation of our Fuse Jr. table, a cheaper model in the Fuse footall table range. The players were modelled on Girl Hubs generic girl logo.

The table is a simple, strong construction, CNC cut in birch faced ply, with anodised aluminium components, stainless steel bars, nylon bearings and rubber buffers. The players are cast high impact coloured resin.

The table has intuitive features such as intergrated bearings and buffer units, spirit level centre spot, optional through table lighting, leveling feet, and a frosted acrylic play bed with curved corners to allow ball return. 

The fuse-ball.co.uk website is currently being built to show our range.

(Project from 2010)

The whole set was designed to be made from one material -  24mm thick Formica’d birch ply, using one manufacturing process - CNC routing.

The table is a semi-automatic extending table, and requires only one action to open. When the table is closed, the middle leaf is concealed, with a small bee image on one corner being the only hint of what lies within. When the table is extended the ‘busy bee’ is revealed, hard at work in the hive.

The extending action of this table was an exciting problem to solve, as I was keen on making it as easy as possible to use. To achieve this I made the table legs mobile, mounting them on rollerblade wheels with locking cam levers. When the outer leaves of the table are pulled away from each other, a system of levers and rods lift the cetral leaf into into position just before the table is fully extended. A catch locks the table out and can be released by pulling a concealed lever.

I left all the mechanisms exposed as I think they are the most exciting part, and as a child I was inspired by pieces of machinery if I could see how they worked.

The table comes with a pair of extending benches which extend and lock into place. 

(project from 2010)

It can be used as a platform for architects, designers, amateurs or children to inspire creativity.

The kit consists of a circular plywood plate, building materials (dowel, matchsticks and lolly pop sticks), basic modeling tools, screw hooks, strong thread, and glue. It also comes with simple instructions and an inspiration sheet, all contained in a cardboard box.

The user chooses a suitable tree branch up to two metres tall that looks like a miniature tree, attaches it to the base by screwing thought the centre, and can then start building.

I haven’t any photos of a completeted model treehouse yet, but will upload some as soon as I do.

I am currently searching for commissions to design and build a full size tree house. I have plenty of resources to hand, including my brother who is a tree surgeon and my Dad who is an architect, both of whom are interested in being involved in a project.

(project from 2010)

A simple folding technique was utilized in the design giving the structure the advantage of being erected and collapsed without time consuming assembly.

The tent consists of two main parts; a frame and fly-sheet.
The frame is sheet polypropylene; sections have been removed to reduce weight. The structure is made from 3 panels, joined by Velcro, with a system of scores in the flat material allowing it to fold. The  properties of polypropylene lend themselves very well to this folding application. Polypropylene does not suffer from fatigue when folded as with other materials, so ’active’ hinges are created along fold lines, meaning mechanical hinges are not needed, giving the design its simplicity.

The fly sheet fixes over the frame and doesn’t need to be removed for collapsing.
Simply by clipping around the edges (In initial tent construction), the fly-sheet takes the form of the tent, and adds
stability.

The tent is supplied in 4 main components - 3 frame sections, and a fly sheet.
This sequence of diagrams demonstrates how the tent is used.

1. The folded frame sections, and fly-sheet are ready for  initial construction.

2. The frame sections are unfolded, laid flat on the floor, and joined at the edges by Velcro fastenings.

3. The fly-sheet is attatched; adjustable elastic straps clip around the edges of the frame.

4. The flat tent is lifted at both ends to form an arch.

5. The tent is pegged down and ready for use.

6. For collapsing, the pegs are taken out, allowing the frame and fly-sheet to be folded in a concertina motion. The tent doesn’t need dismantling, allowing for quick and easy storage.

7. Collapsed; The guy ropes that stabilize the tent double as a fixing. By wrapping around the frame, they’ll keep it flat.

For re-use the tent can be erected again by following steps 5&6 in reverse.

The principle used on the tent can be used  low-cost simples shelters for  other applications illustrated in the photos.

(Project from 2004)

Featured in the Sunday Times in 2004

A transparent plastic insert fits into the empty cigarette packet converting it into a real ‘light’. It’s made from folded polypropylene sheet that encloses a small light unit consisting of two LED’s, a micro-switch, and a battery.

The light is turned on by squeezing the front and back of the carton, and turned off by pressing the lid. The carton sides provide enough pressure to hold the switch in the on and off positions.

The packaging is a simple, folded card sheet holding the unit which is threaded through slots in the card.
The unit has a clip holds it in shape whilst in a cigarette box; This clip also fastens it securely onto the card packaging.

The reverse of the card is printed with simple instructions on how to use the product.

(project from 2004)

To make each glass the bottle neck is removed with a special glass cutter jig, then the rough edge is ground and polished to make it safe to drink from.

The brand logos on these bottles are enamel, so will never wash off.

The original bottle carton is re-used to supply the glasses in. Made from either Corona or Sol beer bottles.

(project from 2004)

This product is available to buy:

 £20 for a set of 6. (not incl. P&P)

Contact Edit Design for more information.

Giant Panda is the first in a range of laser cut cardboard masks for fancy dress and display purposes.

The flat-pack, DIY kit includes a pre-cut mask, paws, tail and display shield. The kits are designed to be customizable if the wearer wants to make it unique.

The mask fits onto the head via an adjustable internal cradle.

This project was initially developed  with the kind help of  Fred Aldous Art shop in Manchester, who let me use their laser cutter. For more information on what they do, visit  www.fredaldous.co.uk  or their shop - Fred Aldous art shop, 37 Lever st, Manchester, M1 1LW.

A range of six custom masks were produced by Forty seven lilys, a design firm run by Paul Davey and Craig McMahon. These can be seen in the photos with the pink 47 logo in the corner. For more information on Forty seven lilys look at their website www.fortysevenlilys.com

Photographs by Mariona Otero Ibanez, www.marionaotero.com