Adjustable Ratchet by ewan brammall

Graduates 2020: Ewan Brammall: Product Design

“My project allows expensive machinery to be created inexpensively, meaning that a wider range of people can access machines that otherwise would have been difficult or expensive to access.”

Hi Ewan, please tell us a bit about your work, your influences etc

“Open Workshop is a new way to create machinery at home using 3D printed parts and readily available materials from places such as B&Q. It allows expensive machinery to be created inexpensively, meaning that a wider range of people can access machines that otherwise would have been difficult or expensive to access.

“The connectors offer a basis for many machines that can be printed worldwide if you have access to a 3D printer, or brought from us if you don’t. Hopefully the parts and mechanisms provided will inspire the creation of workshops and maker spaces around the world. This network of designers will then be able to upload their new designs for parts and machines.

“I am a designer from the Isle of Wight who now resides in Brighton and I am interested in how distributed design can be implemented into a wide range of contexts. My investigation into distributed design was because I have always been of the opinion that good design should be for everyone and your budget shouldn’t limit what you can buy, and distributed design allows that. One of the problems with distributed design is some of the projects require a lot of specialist knowledge, such as Open Desk where in-depth knowledge of a CNC is needed. I feel this alienates users that have no making experience, limiting the market for distributed design.

“So in this project I have tried to make the creation of complex machines as easy as possible from the design of the parts themselves to the instructions. The opinion of inclusive design is also present because it dramatically reduces the price of otherwise expensive machines, as well as allowing a wider range of people to try out specialist craft.

“Finally, being from the Isle of Wight I have a strong belief in community and the benefits it has, just because of the density of people. So I always try and create something that can bring people together and facilitates conversation around it, not about it.”

How did you find your time at Brighton?

“I have enjoyed my time at Brighton immensely and not only have I learnt about Product Design and developed my style as a designer, I have also made a lot of memories and friends along the way. Without Brighton Uni I don’t think I would be the person I am today and have enjoyed all of my 4 years here. Also Brighton as a city is amazing, and I plan to stay here for a long time.”

What are your plans after graduation?

“I haven’t though too much about what I want to do after graduation was taking a bit of time off after 4 years of study! The main thing I was looking at was carrying on at Brighton Uni and enroll on the Sustainable Design Masters here at Brighton to expand my knowledge on sustainable principles and how it is implemented into all aspects of design. My interest in sustainability and distributed design has started this year and I just want to learn more so it seems like the best step. But I will still be looking for jobs if any are available.”

Watch a video explaining Ewan’s project

Visit Ewan’s website.

See Ewan’s work in the End of Year Show.

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