Useful Product Design Resources on the Web

1. For anyone involved in plastic injection moulding the monthly "Design Tips e-Newsletter" from Protomold offers some really good tips & tricks, check it out here; http://www.protomold.co.uk/DesignTips.aspx They explain the basic rules to producing a successful plastic parts and clearly explain the differences in resins, surface finishes & shrinkage issues.

2. A good place to seek out some inspiration or perhaps help out fellow designers is the Product Design Forums - http://www.productdesignforums.com/ 

3. Although they are now mainstream, there is no doubt Apple offer some of the most impressive hardware and software designs in the world. If your a product designer then Apple has to be one of your most respected businesses, pick up any of the latest iPhones or even an iPod 3 or 4 years old and you find no screws, no ugly split lines and no cheap plastic finishes & materials.

Small-scale niche product businesses

I while back I read an interesting article in Wired magazine discussing the increase of new companies essentially running design studios or small production lines from their home offices and garages.

I personally think we will see more and more of these small product businesses grow quickly in the future, there are a couple of reasons, speciality skills, lower prices & location, but these aren't that interesting. I think the coolest thing about a business run my an individual or small group is the freeness, less rules and regs, a more open-minded approach. A case study in the article was "BrickArms" who produces Lego compatible AK-47's & frag grenades! - Check out the video below and give the web article a read here.

This article also reflects on my own ambition & something I have already started to created with my good friend and partner Luke Vos, "Luma-iD Design House." I am working on the design studio and will update when complete, who knows perhaps it could turn into a market leader... it seems in this day and age a great idea is all that matters.

2010 Malaysian F1 GP

Check out the Photography Section for more shots. 

What interests me the most about F1 is the techy engineering parts of the cars design, in particular the aerodynamic surfacing. Just take a look at the show car from Mercedes GP Petronas in detail!

Back from Holidays!

I've been back home for a couple of days after a fantastic trip to Bali, Indonesia. It was really an incredible experience, I've never been anywhere in the world where the locals have been so kind and friendly - highly recommended for anyone to go and check out!

Above; Danau Beratan, a really beautiful lake near the centre of Bali. The photo shows a small hidden fishing spot next to one of the many temples to be found in Bali.

Check out the Photography Section to see more images from Bali! 

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