Callum, a Senior Industrial Designer at Realise, brings 8 years of exceptional experience to our most challenging projects. What sets him apart isn’t just his technical skills or eye for detail, but his ability to transform complex problems into exciting products that look great and work brilliantly.
In a world of increasingly trendy, surface-level design, Callum represents something much more substantial. From marine equipment to print systems, his thoughtful approach and creative thinking have been pivotal to some of our most impressive work, helping clients overcome problems they once thought impossible and deliver products that truly resonate with users.
Walk us through a typical day in your role at Realise Design
My day starts with a ride from Bradley Stoke to our Bristol studio. I have a habit of pushing the pace, so it can be a tough cycle, but it’s a great excuse for some chocolate at lunch! A quick cool-down and I’m usually at my desk by 9 am, ready to start work on whatever we have lined up that day.
There’s no such thing as a typical day in industrial design. One week, I might be sketching concepts and getting involved with user research, the next, I’m deep in CAD work or building prototypes. Right now, I’m leading the development of a marine communications product, alongside projects in industrial printing, EV charging, consumer soft goods, and product visualisation. The variety of different challenges keeps things interesting.
How did you first become interested in industrial design?
When I was younger, I loved Lego and drawing, and Industrial design is about as close as I can get to those childhood hobbies in a professional setting! It was also a natural progression from my strengths in school, maths, sciences and graphic design. At college, I took on a 3D Design course that introduced me to physical product development, which then led me to study Product Design at UWE Bristol.
I spent my university placement year at Realise, and after graduating in 2018, I was offered a full-time opportunity as a Junior Product Designer. I’ve been here ever since.
How does your work contribute to creating “Positive Products”?
Everything we design should have a positive impact, whether that’s environmental, user-focused, or commercial. As designers, we need to ensure our work delivers real value.
Balancing sustainability with commercial viability can be challenging. Using eco-friendly materials often comes with increased costs and a sacrifice to engineering properties. Then, finding manufacturers willing to work with these materials isn’t always straightforward. Luckily, though, we know a few!
But sustainability isn’t just about materials. We can optimise how much material we use by trimming down sections that don’t need structural strength. We can design products that can be taken apart easily for recycling. There are countless ways to improve a product for people and the planet while still ensuring it’s profitable.
What’s been your most interesting project?
The Airhead pollution mask was interesting work. Creating a comfortable mask with an effective seal against different face shapes was a complex challenge. The project involved a mix of manufacturing techniques – 3D knitting for the cover, injection moulding for structural parts, and developing a stack of filters that offered good airflow and protection from particulates.
What excites you about design in the marine sector?
Working within the marine industry is interesting because it often lags behind other sectors in technology adoption. Consumers expect longer product lifecycles and complete vessel overhauls are expensive, so marine companies need the confidence that innovation will give them a competitive edge, and that new products can work seamlessly as part of an existing system.
Not only that, but marine products typically need to withstand extreme environmental conditions.
How do you keep the end-user at the heart of what you do?
User research is essential from day one. When we present concepts, they’re grounded in real opportunities identified through talking with actual users. Then, as we develop prototypes, we incorporate regular user testing to validate our designs.
Designing everything from the desk would be easy, but real-world testing is crucial. A marine device might work perfectly in the studio, but the experience changes dramatically on a boat, where users might wear thick gloves in cold, wet, slippery conditions. Immersing ourselves in the actual environment and speaking with experienced users is key to creating truly human-centred designs.
Outside of work, what keeps you busy?
Cycling is my biggest passion. I work on my own bikes, help out at a bike workshop, and spend a lot of time riding around Bristol! I’ve switched from mountain biking to gravel and road cycling in recent years, but I’m yet to adopt the skin-tight Lycra. Probably for the best! I’ve also been enjoying exploring the UK, particularly Wales.
Anywhere with a coastal path, mountain, or waterfall! Anglesey is one of my favourite places, and the further north you go, the more remote and peaceful it feels, which is a welcome contrast to the city. We’ve stayed near the northernmost pub in Wales, with what feels like a private beach on your doorstep. Doesn’t get much better than that.
