New Product Design & Development Showcase
One of the key aims of Design Network North is to showcase the best design talent in the North East. Whether it is a service, finished product design or component, we would like to compile a portfolio of work carried out by the region's companies and design suppliers.
New product design and development can often be a key area for any business and hopefully this portfolio will inspire upcoming product designers to get involved in the design industry.
To join the network and add some examples of your work to our design showcase by downloading the form and returning it to enquiries@designnetworknorth.org.
FS Design - Nissan Micra iPod Docking Station
When Nissan needed a fast and innovative solution for an enhancement to one of their best selling vehicles they turned to Sunderland based product design specialists FS Design.
Challenge
The Micra has been one of Nissans best selling small town cars for a quarter of a century and to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the car Nissan asked FS Design to come up with a unique special feature to mark the event in style.
Solution
Having conducted a consumer clinic with potential Micra customers FS identified the desire to enhance the vehicles entertainment system with a iPod docking station integrated into the vehicle at the factory.
The anniversary was looming so FS were set the challenge to design, develop and produce the system in a record breaking time of 4 months. FS Design were responsible for full system design, development, and supply of the uniquely branded iPod and it’s bespoke docking station. This included full styling responsibility, integration with the vehicle electronics, plastic injection moulded components, cable harness connections and a full validation plan completed to EU and automotive standards. The design also incorporated variations for manual and automatic transition vehicles.
Rather than using conventional automotive production tooling methods FS employed rapid tooling manufacturing techniques in order to cut design and tooling time, resulting in production of parts in 3-5 weeks. Web design was also incorporated into the project to allow real time release of iPods to the new vehicle owner once the vehicle was delivered.
Results
All the time scales for the 3rd generation iPod holder were achieved as well as the financial targets. This resulted in Nissan smashing predicted sales targets making this version of the Micra the most successful in it’s 25 year life. For the plastics transition from generation G3 to G4 iPod the project was completed in 6 weeks.
Nissan provided the first automotive integrated iPod in record time allowing them to stay ahead of their competition.
Project part financed by the European Union European Regional Development Fund 2007 - 13
