For my final week of work experience, on the 9th April, I spent a week working with a company called ‘Design Partners.’
The company is a design and engineering firm who specialise in Consumer, Profesional, Industrial, and Medical Fields.
Whilst I was working there I was given a project to work on, to learn about the design process involved in bringing a product to life.
For my product, I chose to work on a project in the medical field, which was inspired by my time in the R.C.S.I. The goal I had in mind was to make a circular surgical retractor that would open and hold a wound without leaving any material in or around the wound. It was after the first day that I realised what I had gotten myself into. Luckily someone who worked there was mentoring me and helping me out during the week.
For the first day I was introduced to the office and the workshops. The main floor of the company was mainly filled with desks, meeting rooms, drawing rooms, and a canteen.
The floor below the offices consisted of 3D printing labs, a photography studio, and a workshop with hard foam modelling equipment for making product concepts before using machines. On the bottom floor, was the industrial area. A large paint-booth, massive CNC machines and too many machines alongside to mention.
On my second day, I began work on my product’s design brief and basic concept drawings. I made mood boards and I researched current methods used by surgeons today.
On the third day, I did some 3D CAD work to help visualise my idea. I made more and more sketches to cover all aspects of my product.
On the fourth day I was introduced to the difficult world of foam modelling. Here I was able to bring my sketches to life to conceptualise what my product would be. The first attempt was an utter disgrace, but apart from that, I got the general concept alright.
On the Final day, I finalised my foam models and brought them to the photo studio and began preparing my presentation. Here I would collect all my work throughout the week into one presentation.
Overall the week was very enjoyable. It taught me a lot about the design process involved in bringing products alive, and how sometimes, to design a product, you must become an expert in the field you are working in.
The company is a design and engineering firm who specialise in Consumer, Profesional, Industrial, and Medical Fields.
Whilst I was working there I was given a project to work on, to learn about the design process involved in bringing a product to life.
For my product, I chose to work on a project in the medical field, which was inspired by my time in the R.C.S.I. The goal I had in mind was to make a circular surgical retractor that would open and hold a wound without leaving any material in or around the wound. It was after the first day that I realised what I had gotten myself into. Luckily someone who worked there was mentoring me and helping me out during the week.
For the first day I was introduced to the office and the workshops. The main floor of the company was mainly filled with desks, meeting rooms, drawing rooms, and a canteen.
The floor below the offices consisted of 3D printing labs, a photography studio, and a workshop with hard foam modelling equipment for making product concepts before using machines. On the bottom floor, was the industrial area. A large paint-booth, massive CNC machines and too many machines alongside to mention.
On my second day, I began work on my product’s design brief and basic concept drawings. I made mood boards and I researched current methods used by surgeons today.
On the third day, I did some 3D CAD work to help visualise my idea. I made more and more sketches to cover all aspects of my product.
On the fourth day I was introduced to the difficult world of foam modelling. Here I was able to bring my sketches to life to conceptualise what my product would be. The first attempt was an utter disgrace, but apart from that, I got the general concept alright.
On the Final day, I finalised my foam models and brought them to the photo studio and began preparing my presentation. Here I would collect all my work throughout the week into one presentation.
Overall the week was very enjoyable. It taught me a lot about the design process involved in bringing products alive, and how sometimes, to design a product, you must become an expert in the field you are working in.