The Festival of Design & Technology, held on BU’s Talbot Campus, is a display of final projects by final year design, creative technology and engineering students at BU.
More than 700 people were in attendance at this year’s event, which saw innovative designs exhibited across a range of subject areas. They included an automated sheet music turner for pianists, an automated greenhouse irrigation system, and a hoist for pre-operative canine patients in veterinary practices and surgeries.
Christopher Plowright, whose design for a Lego sorting machine was premiered at the festival, said: “The Lego sorter helps adults and parents who don’t have the time, to sort out an unorganised collection of Lego. I’ve had a lot of interest – I think that Lego is one thing that everyone can relate to, people are either fans of it, or were when they were little.”
BSc (Hons) Games Programming student Jason Smith created a drone simulator for his final project. Jason said: “Drone Simulator is a tool for new fliers who basically want to try out the technology, as well as experienced fliers to use their drones in a virtual environment where they don’t have to risk their expensive equipment regardless of the weather outside.”
He continued: “The business unit on the games course has taught me loads of skills which have helped me set up my own business, CineCloud. We do aerial photography for all sorts of applications including surveying, real estate, music videos, and car videos.”
Employers were also in attendance, with several interested in the work of students exhibiting at the Festival. James Phelan, Mechanical Engineer and Engineering Manager at BiS Valves, based in West Moors, said: “I’m here to see some of the students and the good work that they’ve been up to. It’s good to get a flavour of some of the product designers, industrial designers and engineers and see what they’ve been up to for the last few years.”
Matthew Holden, Product Manager at Christchurch-based Kondor, said: “We find that whenever we come to the BU Design Show every year, it’s a great place to recruit fresh graduates who want to immerse themselves into consumer technology.
“We’re looking for someone who’s really keen on product design, who loves their products and technology. We’ve seen some really interesting products and ideas – obviously a lot of people have put a lot of work into their prototypes. We’re really impressed, and are definitely getting in touch with some of these students.”
To find out more and see some of the designs that were exhibited, visit the Festival of Design and Technology website at: https://fodt.bournemouth.ac.uk/
Exhibitors at the Festival of Design & Technology 2016
Students exhibit at the Festival of Design & Technology 2016
Christopher Plowright with his Lego sorter at FODT 2016
