Research, Public Programme Development
The Recircle project was an ambitious attempt to build a greater understanding of sustainable product development within New Zealand. The project hinged on the presence of young NZ designer Josh Astill based in Holland. A project was hatched where Josh would seek to spend 5-6 months at TU Delft, the recognised leader in the field of SPD internationally and 5-6 months back in NZ looking at the NZ context.
This research provided a clear picture of the academic, political and industrial history and position of eco-design and sustainable product design within the EU. It illustrated that rather than re-inventing the wheel in NZ we should learn from the successes and mistakes of other countries and then synthesize our own direction.
The D4S faculty within Delft kindly donated their time and desk space for Josh to do the background research. Without this it would not have been possible and it was a real enabler. Big thanks to Dr. J.C Diehl and Professor Han Brezet for their time and support over the course of the project. Another key supporter was John Gifford at Scion, who provided funding to support Josh during his time in Europe.
The research report was commissioned from our research for the Ministry for the Environment and is available for research and interest in New Zealand and further abroad.
Team: Josh Astill, Timothy Allan
Supporters & Sponsors: Dr. J.C. Diehl (TU Delft), Professor Han Brezet (TU Delft), Josh Gluckman (MFE), John Gifford (Scion).
Contact: Timothy Allan - Principal Ph: 07 5715007 ext 702
Product Oriented Research
This was a 'Product Oriented Research' project looking at the exterior cladding context in New Zealand. The project was funded by the Scion Sustainable Consumer Products Group and was a collaboration that included design research, design engineering, engineering, environmental science and chemistry.
It looked holistically at the New Zealand exterior cladding context and has subsequently gone on to form the basis for a major R&D project which will be launched commercially in 2008.
Another output of this project was an experimental method called the 'Holistic Framework' which investigated a quantitative research approach to looking at social, economic and environmental factors in the same context. This formed a presentation delivered by Barbara Nebel at the annual SETAC conference in 2006.
Team: Timothy Allan, John Gifford (Scion),Marcus Warren, Barbara Nebel (Scion), Jonathan Harrington (Scion), Bernard Dawson (Scion)
Contact: Timothy Allan - Principal Ph: 07 5715007 ext 702
Product Oriented Research
The Compass Project sought to create a more detailed understanding of the market for exterior cladding, fascia and trim in North America. This was a 'Product Oriented Research' (POR) project. In a typical POR project we investigate a wider range of factors including consumer, competing product, standards and compliance, policy, environmental, supply chain and other factors. These factors are then related back to the product so that the information can be structured into effective targets for product development.
This approach involves both quantitative and qualitative research methods to provide a really balanced picture. The project involved the development, coordination, management and delivery of on the ground research in the US.
This project included a detailed analysis of the environmental impact of the supply chain from New Zealand to the US looking at different transport scenarios.
The research output was a developed summary document, in-depth referenced research document and a DVD including all raw research data and data summaries in digital form for each companie's use.
Team: Timothy Allan, John Gifford (Scion), Karoline Jonsson, Barbara Nebel (Scion), Tony Clifford (PWP), Wayne Miller (Tenon)
Contact: Karoline Jonsson - Senior Design Researcher Ph: 07 5715007 ext 704
Undergraduate, Product Service System
This project was created by graduate Kylie Baker who has joined the team. This project was so thought provoking, we felt it should go up.
This product responded to the issue of increasing public transport. Rather than tackle the superficial symptoms, Kylie attacked the cause. Parents are preferring to drop their children off at school themselves due to increased concerns over their security. It is this security concern that this project seeks to address through a 'product service system' approach.
Having seen many under-graduate projects over the years, this is the first genuine product service system that I have seen at a graduate level and sets a precedent for a more systemic life cycle thinking approach at undergraduate level.
Team: Kylie Baker
Institution: Victoria University School of Architecture & Design (SoAD)
Contact: Kylie Baker - Design Research Ph: 07 5715007 ext 706
Public Programme Development, Research & Development, Project Development Specification, Product Oriented Research
The Transform Initiative was prompted by former Textiles NZ Chief Executive, Sean McElroy. The conundrum was that Textiles New Zealand had about $810,000 in research and development funding from MED which it had not allocated and a deadline was rapidly approaching.
Our response was to present a structured approach with four simple steps that would allocate the funds to progressive companies and interesting projects. These steps involved:
- Identification - of a wide variety of technologies and companies
- Selection - of the best candidates
- Validation - of each selected project using the PDS process
- Action - the actual R&D project against plans developed during the PDS process and monitored by FRST.
A critical part of the project was also to 'build capability' within the industry, this was achieved by using processes established at Locus Research for developing new projects through to the implementation phase.
A key step in the process was the use of our 'Project Development Specification' PDS process during the validation phase. Each of the final projects was put through the PDS process which enabled companies to develop a broader and more accurate understanding of the project they were about to undertake.
The PDS process investigates technical, consumer, economic, and environmental factors to form accurate scoping and planning documents along with an effective risk assessment. It considers the implications of the commercial development as a whole rather than just the research and development component.
The validation phase was designed by Locus Research to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of the projects selected. Verne Atmore from Levana Textiles outlines that:
"the Transform Initiative has been an excellent enabling catalyst for Levana Textiles, assisting with the development of a new global business stream for the company, fostering the development of collaborative technical partnerships with relevant industry players, and providing the impetus to drive a more innovative culture across the company"
Locus Research Principal Timothy Allan states:
"The notion of a full research phase with a detailed 'Project Development Specification' was a new concept for some companies. It also introduced the concept of life cycle thinking to the companies, giving them a more systemic view of the technical, market, economic, and environmental factors and risks associated with their project".
The developed documents provided both Textiles New Zealand and the Foundation of Research Science and Technology a clear and developed commercial case to make a final funding decision.
The companies selected are:
- Levana Textiles - 'Encircle' - Non-invasive compression technology
- Jaedon Enterprises & Manukau Knitting Mills - 'Protex' - Technical chainsaw protective wear.
- Zephyr Technology - 'Bioharness' - Fabric sensing technology
- Designer Textiles - 'Modus' - Sustainable merino shrink resistance
- Maxwell Rodgers - 'Lave' - Machine washable bed throws
- South Canterbury Textiles - 'Repose' - Easy care sleepwear
Team: Blythe Rees-Jones, Timothy Allan, Kylie Baker, Patricia Vernooij
Contact: Blythe Rees-Jones - Senior Designer Ph: 07 571 5007 ext 701
Project Development Specification, Product Development, Product Manufacturing Documentation
The Curve Surf product represents a full product research and development project for Locus Research. We were involved from the initial idea through to production.
We were involved with the initial research and definition of a 'Project Development Specification' (PDS) which contributed to the procurement of industry development funding.
Some interesting socio-cultural research enabled us to get a clear view of where surfing is going and what Simon and Al were trying to achieve. This led to innovative and structurally different ideas. The prototyping and testing phases lasted for months with the designs being put through a work out with Simon and Al's surfing friends.
The end result? A point of difference over other board bags, and an extended system of products which Curve have increased and refined since their launch. Simon continues to build credibility and sales with clever marketing and effective sales. The product has received awards in New Zealand and has been selected for international fairs in the United States and Europe.
Team: Blythe Rees-Jones, Timothy Allan, Ryder Meggitt, Jared Mankelow
Contact: Blythe Rees-Jones - Senior Designer Ph: 07 571 5007 ext 701
Brand Development, Commercialisation
Contour Exterior is one of the first commercial outputs of our collaboration with vertically integrated forestry company; Pan Pac Forest Products. A key to this launch has been leveraging the brand narrative effectively to US consumers. The Compass Research Project has enabled a detailed understanding of the market and the consumer.
This has been leveraged in the launch with a simple but clear story of 'we grow it'. This key selling point and the FSC accredited resource carry real merit for the US consumer and a point of advantage over other resources such as Vinyl or Fibre Cement which lack the 'renewable' nature of the forest resource.
Team: Timothy Allan, Ailie Rundle
Contact: Timothy Allan - Principal Ph: 07 5715007 ext 702
Forecasting, Research
This was a pure research project investigating the changing trends within the global sporting and equipment community and how this related to the New Zealand context. Critically this research picked up on something noticed at Locus that there was an increase in the use of plastic and moulded components in soft fabric products.
This independent research project helped us build a better understanding of some of the technological and philosophical changes within the industry and has enabled us to provide a better overview and input into product development projects.
It demonstrated the potential of the NZ outdoor industry whilst evaluating some of the key impediments to it. We have an industry with a huge amount of heritage that is currently not being leveraged effectively on the international stage.
Team: Blythe Rees-Jones, Timothy Allan
Contact: Blythe Rees-Jones - Senior Designer Ph: 07 571 5007 ext 701
Product Development, Commercialisation
This Product development project re-invented the existing Design Mobel sleep system. With a very high bar of 87% referral rates of the existing system the task was to redefine and establish the mainstream sleep system whilst incorporating some new ideas bought through from the 'Circadian' project.
Our response was to select a new material (Hytrel TEE) which had been trialled in earlier experiments. It enabled a 50% reduction in weight and a 25% reduction in unit cost. In addition to this it expanded the suppport offerings by introducing the 3-zone system philosophy that was unearthed during research.
The system was rigorously tested over an equivalent 10 year period and outperformed the existing support system without damaging the 'feel'.
This project reduced the environmental footprint of the product through more advanced energy efficient multi-cavity tooling, reduced part weight, and more effective product stocking by the provision of a removable support.
Team: Timothy Allan, Paul Buckley (Buckley Design)
Tooling: Alto Plastics
Testing: Doug Gaunt (Scion)
Contact: Timothy Allan - Principal Ph: 07 5715007 ext 702