It grew so much that I quickly learned it was limited by the platform that I chose to start with: Blogger. While blogger is quite versatile and very easy to configure, it is pretty limited in how you can structure the information.

This leads to difficulties in SEO (search engine optimization) strategies and makes it difficult to highlight a good selection of important content. So I decided that it was time to get our own hosting and took a weekend off to get it running.

This has been a valuable lesson; I´d have saved countless hours and the site would have grown quicker had I made the extra sacrifice at the beginning to do things to a higher standard.

The site now structures the information in a much more user friendly way, as well as implementing silo structures to improve SEO of selected categories. It also has a forum to improve communication between the different people that collaborate in creating the content.

Creating the new site and transferring the content without losing search engine rankings has allowed me to take my knowledge of WordPress, SEO and website configuration on the server side to a new level.

Now my major challenge for the project is to maintain and grow an enthusiastic team of collaborators, as I intend to limit myself more to the back end than publishing.

Any tips to increase motivation and implication in volunteer based teams?

This allowed me to gain extra experience using WordPress as a web design platform. The theme used was highly modified, with numerous plug-ins used to configure image galleries, slideshows, contact forms, etc. After dabbling with HTML web creating software, I´ve found that WordPress is extremely powerful and versatile. When I get the chance, I´d like to explore the e-commerce integration, to be able to set up online shops.

At the date of writing, some aspects are still being tweaked, but you are invited to check it out here. As with all my designs, criticism and feedback can be left in the comments part of this page.

Winning it first at UTS and then worldwide against people from big name business universities was a fine experience, especially because of the great team collaborative environment along with Anthony Hamilton. (By the way if you ever need some machining or mechanical/structural design work done, he´s a great guy to work with and very competent)

I don´t try to pretend that this is comparable to running a real company, but hopefully that´ll come too. I learned a hell of a lot about managing a companies finances, and all those indicators and measurements accountants love so much.

This project consisted in creating a secateurs design primarily following ergonomic criteria. To achieve this, a number of user trials were performed, that resulted in substantial changes to the design.

User testing

Multiple prototypes and mock-ups were made, ranging from scale cardboard models to more functional ones designed to test the ergonomics. Finally, a model was made that should represent as closely as possible the final product in aesthetics and function.

After testing the product, users were requested to fill out a questionnaire to help refine the design.

View user trialing questionnaire 

The chosen design uses its geometrical configuration to achieve a large reduction in the force required to operate in comparison to the sample of over 30 products on the market that were benchmarked.

This is the result of maximising the par conversion and minimizing the distance that the fingers need to grasp in the open position. An over reduction of this space resulted in possible pinching in the first crude prototype. Subsequently the handle form was modified and the distance increased to insure smooth operation without any pinching or discomfort.

In the following images you can see the difference between the first user trialing model and the final design.

First secateurs model made from acrylic and foam. Spring inside is from a door handle.

Final design. Substantial changes can be appreciated...

After observing secateurs use it was also decided that the ergonomic testing must be done both with and without gloves.

Prototype creation

The design detailing was first created manually with pencil and paper. Modelling the pre-defined design in SolidWorks proved a gratifying challenge as this was my first SolidWorks creation. The organic forms of the handle were created with a series of loft functions as the cross sections had been defined previously using anthropometric data from the hand.

By using 3D CAD software it was much easier to ensure there were no conflicts in the inner working and that the opening angle was adequate, as the spring is contained within the design. Disassembly and durability are ensured with the use of spring stoppers.

Rendering images of the CAD model...

Exploded view showing the inner components and assembly.

It was decided that the prototype should be made of layers of laser cut acrylic. To ensure accuracy, a second CAD model was created from the first, but consisting in extruded layers. These were then exported to files used for laser cutting.

Checking that all the layers are there in the workshop. The left images show pics of the CAD file created to aid assembly of the laser cut acrylic layers.

After gluing the layers together, they were manually sanded down to obtain the curved form necessary for the handle. Imperfections were filled in and sanded again. In the following image the prototype is placed over the original hand drawn files to show how closely the profile corresponds.

This image shows the physical prototype (under construction) placed over the original drawings used to model it. Axle, spring and blades have yet to be assembled.

Finally, the model was spay painted and assembled. The spring, axle and stoppers were custom made from bits and pieces lying around the workshop and a fully functional model was obtained that very closely resembled what the final product might look like.

Ready to paint...

First step was to look at where the impact was

After redesigning the fastener, the system shows considerable improvements

Designed for ease of assembly, disassembly & repair

this product replaces conventional fasteners

The NoPila was a class assignment for the subject Sustainability and Design. It was designed in Solid Edge, images are processed using Photoshop, and Corel Draw.

You can download additional notes here and click on the images to enlarge.

It was created using 3DS Max and Adobe Premiere

The concept remains essentially the same, I added a security chain so that the user only requires a pad-lock to secure the bike – including both wheels and the frame-.

The chain can only be cut with powered tools, and the stainless steel tubing is quite sturdy. Additionally, advertising & decorative patterns can be cut in or attached to the sides.

Image created with 3DS Max

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The  3977 was a project for the subject “Design Methodology”. It included extensive market research, consulting with clients and manufacturers and use of project management tools. It obtained a High Distinction.

the first concept that the project started working with: a key operated system that included a retractable lock

The design process produced many different concepts. Finally, we settled on a bicycle rack that allows protecting both wheels and frame with a normal bike lock, while doubling up as a sculptural and vandal resistant seat. The footprint also assures correct spacing on installation.

Anodized aluminium was used as it proved to be the cheaper than stainless steel over the product life cycle, and also the most durable for coastal locations. To minimize the material used while keeping it vandal proof, the fat part of this product is filled with sand (now try giving that a kick!).

The bulk of this project was the research and design decision process. Value analysis and QFD were used, along with many other techniques.

I used sketchup for the concept sketches, as I was unable to draw or write at the time. They show explorations of configuration, aesthetics and spacing.

Detailed documentation is available on request.

a concept sketch to protect the front wheel

a scale sketch that used the different bike sizes to determine optimum dimensions

Playing around with different arrangements, to see which was more space efficient

a sketch that explores more aesthetically pleasing forms

Partially filled with sand to reduce metal used

This was a my first group project along with Juan Ramos Flores,  José Ramos Martín, & Alberto Vidal Carretero. I did a redesign in 2010 for the purposes of pitching to a manufacturer.

Replace the lid of the bottle, then place it in the Agarrafas

The Agarrafas was an exercise I did over Christmas 2009 to improve my Solid Edge skills and apply some of the mechanism analysis I was studying at the time. I was frustrated about only learning analysis, so I decided to synthesize a basic mechanism, engineering it to fulfil certain requirements.

This is the closed position, without a bottle. The back is fitted onto a wall.

The opening handle is dimensioned in such a way to maximise the ease of loading. At the top, closed position, there is a dead point, so that the weight of the bottle will not make the Agarrafas open.

Additionally, there were geometrical constraints that had to be met, derived from the bottle dimensions and possible positioning of this product.

The product itself is made of various plastic parts, designed to be injection moulded and tight-fit assembled.

Note: Although I´ve come up with a few redesigns, more aesthetically pleasing and reducing the number of components that need to be moulded, I don´t have any intention of developing them. The initial idea for commercializing this product was in partnership with bottled water distribution companies; however a better way to go would be designing water systems of sufficient quality so as not to need bottled water