PDF upload of my portfolio.

1. Industrial Design Product DesignUser Centred Design
m: +447549834571
James McKernan
l: uk.linkedin.com/in/jamesmckernandesigne: cptjamesmckernan@gmail.com
b: www.behance.net/jamesmckernan

2. Profile
I am a passionate designer with a BSc (Hons) in
Product Design & Innovation from the University of
Strathclyde, Glasgow. I like to create simple things
which make people happy and improve their lives.
I am now looking to expand my horizons and
explore design culture around the world. I feel it is
imperative as a designer to discover and experience
different people and places; to expand perspective
and thinking. Recently left studying a Master’s at
Göteborgs Universitet in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Högskolan för Design och Konsthantverk
60 ECTS towards MFA Design
University of Strathclyde
BSc (Hons) Product Design & Innovation
Second-Class Honours - Upper Division (2:1)
Lenzie Academy - Higher Grades
Product Design - A Photography - A
Physics - A Graphic Communication - A
English - B Technological Studies - B
I am obsessed with hiking, mountain biking and photography, my greatest
passions outside design. I love playing basketball and hitting the slopes
for some snowboarding whenever I can. A few of my other passions in life
include brewing my own beer, travelling, reading, music, single malt whisky,
socialising, movies and attending art, photography and design exhibitions.

3. REVOLUTION
Portable Exercise Bike

4. Assigned with creating a practical and
robust piece of exercise equipment
suitable for outdoor use, I produced
a unique and innovative design for an
exercise bike.
Required elements of design:
–– Target specific sport
–– Permanent or portable
–– Adjustable mechanical
resistance
–– Sensors and electronic
display
The outdated, industrial and hulking
design of current exercise bikes requires
revitalising for the modern age. I wanted
to create a product which is not only
striking and appealing to the user
aesthetically but also functions with them
symbiotically.
The product is portable to allows users to
store the bike more easily, to travel and
set up the bike wherever and whenever
they wish and to create the opportunity
for group participation through this.

5. The complete product consists of 68
unique and 112 total components .
I designed the User Interface to be
simple and more intuitive than current
generations with several features
exclusive to the product. These include
inter-linked group sessions and a
dynamic, immersive route and track
experience.
The majority of the bike is manufactured
from aluminium for its strength-weight
properties and sleek appearance.
Several components are made from ABS
plastic for either economic, structural or
accessibility reasons.

6. The UI would feature an immersive
element which allows users to place
themselves on a road or track around
the world, creating a more realistic and
enjoyable experience.
The bike features an adjustable system
which utilises magnetic resistance to
alter the difficulty. This can be controlled
both manually and automatically through
the UI.
An interactive version of the UI and a
more comprehensive presentation of this
product detailing function, manufacture,
physical analysis and cost can be found
on my Behance network.

8. NEVIS
Trekking Pole Tripod

9. This project consolidated the knowledge
gained throughout my academic years,
aiming to develop professional practice
by utilising design, manufacturing and
management experience in real life
situations.
Taking place over a full academic year,
this degree project encompassed the
complete process of designing a product
for market and included several aspects,
not limited to:
–– Project Planning
–– Market, User, Competitor &
Patent Research
–– Complete PDS
–– Concept Generation,
Evaluation, Refinement &
Detail Design
–– Physical Analysis
–– Material & Manufacturing
Selection
–– Market & Brand Strategy
–– Prototyping

10. The issue I identified and aimed to rectify
was hikers and photographers carrying
excess supplementary equipment
during their pursuits. The proposal was
a product which integrates the features
and functionalities of a walking pole and
camera tripod into a single, simple piece
of equipment.
This combination allows for superior
portability, space saving, weight and
negates the requirement of external
cases or additional equipment in need of
carrying.
The tripod legs are composed of a
strong, lightweight magnesium alloy,
locking at a maximum angle of 35° for
a large foundation. A simple spring pin
mechanism is utilised for quick height
adjustment.
A hook is featured to ensure any clothing
or additional items can be held clear of
the ground, with the additional benefit of
adding stability to the tripod during use.

11. The handle is a tailored and ergonomically
designed grip which ensures comfort
and stability during use as a trekking
pole.
It contains both an integrated universal
quick release mount and a dedicated
ball and socket joint enabling full 90°
rotation, accounting for uneven terrain
and alteration between portrait and
landscape.
The locking mechanism is designed
specifically to the form of the main pole,
utilising a simple snap-latch for quick,
single action adjustment with minimal
effort.
The complete and comprehensive folio
of this project can be found on my
Behance network.

13. HORIZON
Loudspeaker

14. The design of an audio speaker that
evokes a defined emotional meaning and
demonstrates a novel approach to form.
The primary focus of the design on form
- shape, aesthetics, surface qualities,
colour and multi-sensory experience.
I created a product which encapsulates
and symbolises the feeling of Loss
through the omnipotent power of a
black hole, developing the design
through sketching, model making, digital
surfacing and graphics.
PU foam was used to mock-up different
designs to determine the ultimate form.

15. The complete form of the product is
designed to pull the user into its depths
with the concentric ribs aiding to this
illusion.
The long curvilinear shape of the body
displays and evokes the length and
ultimate irresolute potency which the
feeling of loss instils.
The distinct square to circular cross
section flows to create a unique form,
partnering with each element of the
product for a deep and sweeping void
experience.
I opted for a distinct matte finish as I feel
this represents the emotion more directly
than a gloss or textured finish

16. I created a brand and marketing strategy
for the product, focusing on four main
areas including:
–– Print graphic
–– Web interface
–– Packaging
–– Store exterior & interior
I aimed for a minimalistic design
throughout the strategy, with simple
layouts and colour palettes representing
the sleek and smooth nature of the
modern age.
I gave the brand and model distinct
analogous names which correspond
to both the product and the emotion
it portrays. The speaker itself is called
Horizon for the border of space-time
within a black hole. The company is called
Odyssey for both the journey through the
feeling of loss and as a homage to the
movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.

17. A brief technics specification was
drawn up to explore and ensure a basic
understanding of the audio functionality,
technical structure and manufacturing
methods necessary for the creation of the
product. This specification also included
elements such as a manufacturer
drawing pack, material selection and
joining methods.
Common plastics of ABS and
Polypropylene are used in the
consturction of the outer shell for their
low cost and manufacturing benefits.
MDF is used in the enclosure material not
only for its inexpensive nature but also
due to its excellent acoustic qualities,
dampening unwanted extraneous energy
and vibration, creating consistent high
quality sound.
A 100mm (4”) point source dual
concentric speaker is used as the source
for its minor superiority over coaxial
systems and high quality stereo imaging.
–– 1x 100mm (4”) Dual
Concentric Speaker
–– 80W Amplifier
–– Sensitivity: 88dB
–– Nominal Impedance: 8Ω

19. The final segment of the project focused
around a design exhibition for which I
produced an aesthetic model that also
possessed an element of function due
to a small removable speaker to which
people could attach their mp3 players.
This model was made completely from
PU foam with filler, primer and matte
spray paint. I made use of styrene strips
for small modelling kits as the ribs.

21. OTIUM
Contemporary Tipi

22. An individual project aimed at exploring
social and spatial design from artistic,
historical and theoretical perspectives,
specifically revolving around Gothenburg
central station.
I developed a contemporary rejuvenation
of the traditional tipi, historically used as
both a dwelling and a spiritual, ceremonial
space; a symbol of protection, comfort
and exploration.
The intent of this structure is to allow the
temporary inhabitants of the station to
seclude themselves from the commotion
outwith and take time to compose and
apply the space in whichever form they
desire.
The external construction details
inspiration from the station itself, a
parallel of the railway and complimenting
the existing architecture and interior
design. Each face is composed of cedar
timber, creating an inviting and pleasing
aesthetic while the low weight of the
wood and individual build also allows for
the modification of the domain.

23. The interior is lined with removable boards
usedtoseparatetheuserfromtheoutside
world. Composed of polyurethane foam
and a soft canvas or tanned leather,
echoing the native materials, the inside of
the structure instils a feeling of relaxation
and security, while harkening back to its
spiritual origins.
Each outer panel can be lowered to a
horizontal position, thereby allowing
more practical elements to be created
i.e. decking for outdoor use or elbow-
high tables.
Within there are small, alterable pine
panels, similar to the outer, which the
dweller can use to adapt the area
depending on their circumstance. For
example; six of these panels may fold
down to form a small table to place a
laptop, while an additional panel may
have a dedicated holding for a coffee
cup.

25. HI-STORE
Indoor Bicycle Storage

26. A team assignment involving the design
of a product to improve indoor bicycle
storage. This project specifically revolved
around the development of a product
using various design methods.
As elected team leader I organised
the project and ensured cohesive
management throughout the six week
time-frame.
My own personal tasks during the project
involved organising and participating in
various design sessions including:
–– Creative Design Methods
(Lateral Thinking;
Brainstorming; 6.3.5;
Morphological Charts;
TRIZ)
–– Evaluation Methods
(Focus Groups; Dot
Sticking; Controlled
Convergence and
Weighting - Rating
Matrices)
–– Development Methods
(Environment; Manufacture
and Assembly; Value
Analysis and Engineering)
The work shown is my own excerpts
from the project (minus graphical
diagrams and reports of methods)

27. The final design was a simple solution
which satisfied all elements of the PDS.
For environmental and aesthetic reasons
the product is made from sustainable
woods and recyclable thermoplastic.
This gives a unique style and a positive
eco-friendly image.
The bicycle is stored aloft to utilise unused
ceiling space and maximise floor area.
The base is designed for storing sand to
ensure stability and reduce weight during
transportation

28. PHOTOGRAPHY
James McKernan

35. cptjamesmckernan@gmail.com
+447549834571