Brompton Cycle RouteResistant Materials

Lesson 1

Learning objectives:• To investigate what is special about Brompton (USP).• To understand the situation and brief and choose a

product type to develop.• To be able to write a specification for your product.

Project overview

To design, make and evaluate a product suitable for use with a Brompton bicycle.

1 2 3 4 5 6Introduction Designing Planning &

MakingMaking Making Evaluation

WE ARE HERE

Lesson 1: IntroductionToday we will be investigating…• Brompton’s USP & philosophy• Target market• Functionality: How does it work?• What your product will be and its specification.

Brompton bicycles are unique…

….both in their design and the way they are made... and where they are made - you will find few global bike brands still manufactured in their city of origin.

What do you think makes a Brompton bike unique?

Philosophy

The Brompton was conceived as… “a product that increases people’s independence and freedom, and this concept is still at the heart of everything we do; so we make bikes that our customers can rely on wherever and whenever they use them.

We believe that this approach should inform the way we act, not just what we make, and that it should extend, through our distributors and dealers, to the end user. Everyone involved should feel comfortable with the purchase they make and satisfied that they had freedom of choice.”

Target market

“We know from Brompton owners the world over that the work we do here has wonderful consequences in the lives of people everywhere; from the city commuter to the round-the-world cyclist, from those in a hurry to those with time on their hands.” Brompton

How does it work?

The foldA key feature of the Brompton is the compactness and practicality of its fold. With a little practice, this is achieved without any difficulty in 10 - 20 seconds. The dimensions of the folded bike are: 585mm high x 545mm long x 270mm wide (22.2" x 21.5" x 10.6").Fold & un-fold video clip

All about Brompton…

What is a Brompton and how does it work?

What are Brompton’s USPs?

Who is Brompton’s target market?

What are you going to do?

Review situation and design brief – what are you going to do?SituationBrompton is a small bicycle manufacturer based in Brentford, West London. They are very well known for making high quality folding bicycles. With the cost of petrol increasing, more cars on the road, and people wanting to lead more sustainable (environmentally friendly) lives, more and more people are choosing to cycle rather than use a car. Brompton bicycles can be easily carried on buses or trains and in the back of a car, which makes them an attractive option for lots of people.

To try and convince even more people to buy a Brompton bicycle, the company wants to design an accessory that can be used with their bicycle, that is unique, original and one that no other bicycle manufacturer can offer.

What are you going to do?

Review situation and design brief – what are you going to do?

Design briefTo design and make a bicycle accessory that fits with Brompton’sphilosophy of ‘freedom and independence’.

You will have six lessons to design and make this product (approximately three lessons of making). You can use a range of available materials including plastics, card, etc. The product needs to be interesting and unique. The accessory should enhance the experience of riding a Brompton: it could make it easier, safer, more comfortable or more enjoyable.

What will your product be?

Brief: To design, make and evaluate a product suitable for use with a Brompton bicycle.Produce a mind map of what your accessory product could be…

unique

everyonefold/unfold

independence

freedomease of use

practicalitycompactness

Specification

A specification is a list of things that your product has to do. Write at least one point for each of the headings below. What criteria must your product meet in each of these areas?

Size - How big will it be?

Material - What will it be made of?

Cost/price - How much will your target market buy it for?

Function - What does your product have to be able to do?

Aesthetics - What colours will it be? What style will it be?

Ergonomics - Does it have to fit the user’s hand? Be comfortable?

Mood board

Could any of these be your design inspiration?

Product research

When researching products we think about…Aesthetics, ergonomics, function, materials, cost, health & safety, sustainability.

H&S important

Fix to rear wheel?

Colour? Unisex!

What if it rains?

Comfortable?Soft? Sharp?

What age group?

Brompton Cycle Route Resistant Materials

Learning objectives:• To investigate what is special about Brompton (USP).• To understand the situation and brief and choose a product type to develop.• To be able to write a specification for your product.

Homework:To complete your own mood board and product research.