I am in my fifth and final year of the Product Design Engineering integrated masters programme, split over Glasgow School of Art and the University of Glasgow. Learning across these two institutions has helped me develop an invaluable wide variety of skills, from technical engineering knowledge to following the design process and how to centre this around the user.
I have been fortunate enough to develop and apply this knowledge, firstly during an internship in New Zealand, working for an electronic design company that manufacture assistive devices. My final year project has also been a key factor improving these skills, where I set myself the task of designing a car seat insert for premature babies to reduce positional asphyxiation. Stork is an adaptable product that alters positioning through various regions of support. It is designed to be supplied by a hospital to assist a baby on their discharge home and increase their safety whilst travelling in a car seat. Consistent contact with professionals and stakeholders throughout the project was the main driver and confirmed the benefits that the product would have to both the healthcare system and the users. This, for me, was the most rewarding aspect of the project and confirmed my passion for designing for purpose, with the potential of helping people.
