The aim of this project is to research, evaluate and develop conceptual design work for a potentially new type of product (or range of products) that offers significant functional/aesthetic and commercial advantages as a saleable product by Wrekin Products.
Wrekin Products are a leading specialist in civil engineering products. They are focussed on providing superior main-stream geosynthetic systems and highway ironwork. Number one and number two respectively in their markets, Wrekin make their name through engineering quality products.
Working as a group we were expected to research and report back on the chosen brief, developing concepts that would better fulfil the market.
The company as a whole comes across as being very industrial, with their product range promoting function over form. The form of their products is very much still distinctive with its patterned surface aesthetic. The majority of their manhole covers are decorated with a unique pattern of triangles and rhombuses.
One of the first aesthetic concepts we came up with was related to city landmarks. These icons are often seen as the centre points of many large cities, acting as iconic structures, distinctive all across the world. These icons could be placed on the upside of the manhole cover indicating the city its located in.
Manhole covers are quite an identifiable and visual product dictated through visual psychology, often unnoticeably catching a pedestrians eye. After conducting research and speaking to Wrekin itself, we found that the opportunity for advertisement was rather significant.
The single hinge system allows for easy access whilst also being hidden from the street view. Having the simple design brings back a sense of purity. This allows for contractors to easily open and close the manhole cover with relative ease.
The Final Design incorporates a sustainable, self generating, piezoelectric element, generating electrical energy from the footsteps of pedestrians. This free, electrical power is then used to illuminate a navigational arrow, providing direction to the advertisement located in the centre of the product. The surface includes a symmetrical triangular pattern, unique to Wrekin and is used as an anti-slip surface for grip. The BSI has also been imprinted on the top as stated for the BS EN 124: 2015 legislation.
