About us
Product architects
As a team of product designers, industrial designers, mechanical and electrical engineers, and production engineers we have helped companies bring new concepts to market in furniture, baby products, hair and beauty, fashion, sport, DIY and toy. Our speciality is understanding the commercially led environment these concepts must compete in, and whether the design will stand apart and succeed. We add the bang to an idea, and bring innovation to every stage of the development process.
How we work
We have earnt the reputation of being ‘product architects. But we also surround ourselves with best of breed partners across an array of disciplines to help us deliver our designs right off the production line. Every project is different, whether it’s a style, a fashion, or an innovation, it’s our job as designers to chase down every last detail to ensure the point of difference, the USP, is at the forefront of the design. The road to production is long and hard and it takes a fastidious mind set not to give up – but instead deliver, not just a product, but a product that will stand out and sell. We have taken several of our own award-winning ideas to market globally, enriching us as designers and offering our clients first-hand expertise.
Bang:
The product
architects
The core team
Stefan
Stefan is an award-winning designer, specialising in invention, product design, manufacture and bringing innovation to market.
Before establishing Bang Creations in 1999, he was responsible for boys’ toys at Hasbro EU, where he worked on brands including Action Man, Star Wars and Nerf. There Stefan learnt that 'you can make anything, but only marketable products sell' and went on to work with global teams to generate innovative, yet commercial product and has been instrumental in getting them to market.
Stefan qualified with a 1st Class Hons degree in Engineering Product Design, and diploma in Marketing and Business. He was awarded IED design award for sub sea electrical connector, German design Award for Colandish, MAX it award for best selling hobby product, 3 gold and 2 silver toy awards.
Kirstin
Kirstin’s strength as a creative designer has evolved from her diverse background in design. Kirstin worked on new mobile phone technologies in it’s infancy for design consultancies Mogridge/IDEO, special effects and model making agency Derek Hendon before making a canal dredging machine for British Waterways as part of her (BSc) Engineering and Product Design Degree.
Before joining Bang creations and working with husband Stefan, Kirstin worked on Psion computers and was the lead designer on girls toys most notably the Sindy Brand while at Hasbro and Vivid Imaginations. Kirstin is the creative force behind the majority of Bangs’ licenced inventions such as “cool cards” which has sold in excess of 1.5 million unit. Kirstin has a wide variety of design skill sets and is the go to person for any projects that need a seamstress or knowledge of fabrics, though is just as happy with a set of spanners and callipers.
Theo
Theo is an accomplished problem solver, applying his ingenuity to all aspects of the design process from user-centred ideation to engineering solutions. Since joining in 2014 Theo has delighted in delivering solutions from concept through to production management, from mass-produced FMCGs to bespoke large scale product. Many of these products have gone on to win awards. Most recently Opløft has been awarded the prestigious GOOD DESIGN® award.
Theo graduated from the University of the West of England’s talent pool, with a BSc in Creative Product Design, here he adopted his love for the psychology of design, form and prototype tinkering. Theo was able to further his fascination with the psychology of design, having worked repeatedly for Human Engineering, an ergonomics consultancy.
Theo now heads up Bang Creation’s Bristol studio in the heart of the UK’s creative hotspot.
Sarah
Sarah believes that design is in the details. Focusing on the goal of creating a great user experience, she explores all layers of the product from aesthetics to engineering and manufacture in order to design unique solutions.
Sarah studied at Coventry University where she attained a Master’s degree in Consumer Product Design before joining the team at Bang.
Sarah also managed Bang’s successful kickstarter campaign for ‘Bob: The case for your glasses and devices’ which reached over 300% of its funding goal in 2016.
Jack
Jack is a proficient technical designer. After cutting his teeth as an intern working on award winning products at Bosch, Jack established himself at design consultancy IDentity. At identity Jack worked on experiential installations for clients such as Porsche, Toyota, McLaren and Bobcat. This experience has given Jack a strong foundation, managing technical multi-faceted projects under tight schedules.
He graduated from Brunel University in Industrial Design & Technology BA (Hons). Where he learnt to value the balance between aesthetics, ergonomics, and functionality. Using his natural abilities in hands on making he became proficient in prototyping, whether it be a crisp full scale cardboard mock-up or a high quality aesthetic model.
Bob
Bob is a conversant Design Engineer with a strong knowledge of electro-mechanical systems, including skills in computational simulation and analysis. He also excels in design thinking and problem solving, bringing a more technical view to design challenges.
Graduating with a first-class honours from UWE Bristol, Bob completed a final year project in innovative electric vehicle design & engineering. Before joining Bang, Bob worked in the aerospace sector as a Design Engineer, assisting in the design of satellite components using computational engineering, 3D CAD, and manufacture drawing creation.
About us
Product architects
As a team of product designers, industrial designers, mechanical and electrical engineers, and production engineers we have helped companies bring new concepts to market in furniture, baby products, hair and beauty, fashion, sport, DIY and toy. Our speciality is understanding the commercially led environment these concepts must compete in, and whether the design will stand apart and succeed. We add the bang to an idea, and bring innovation to every stage of the development process.
How we work
We have earnt the reputation of being ‘product architects’. But we also surround ourselves with best of breed partners across an array of disciplines to help us deliver our designs right off the production line. Every project is different, whether it’s a style, a fashion, or an innovation, it’s our job as designers to chase down every last detail to ensure the point of difference, the USP, is at the forefront of the design. The road to production is long and hard and it takes a fastidious mind set not to give up – but instead deliver, not just a product, but a product that will stand out and sell. We have taken several of our own award-winning ideas to market globally, enriching us as designers and offering our clients first-hand expertise.
Bang:
The product
architects
The core team
;)
Stefan
Stefan is an award-winning designer, specialising in invention, product design, manufacture and bringing innovation to market.
Before establishing Bang Creations in 1999, he was responsible for boys’ toys at Hasbro EU, where he worked on brands including Action Man, Star Wars and Nerf. There Stefan learnt that 'you can make anything, but only marketable products sell' and went on to work with global teams to generate innovative, yet commercial product and has been instrumental in getting them to market.
Stefan qualified with a 1st Class Hons degree in Engineering Product Design, and diploma in Marketing and Business. He was awarded IED design award for sub sea electrical connector, German design Award for Colandish, MAX it award for best selling hobby product, 3 gold and 2 silver toy awards.
Kirstin
Kirstin’s strength as a creative designer has evolved from her diverse background in design. Kirstin worked on new mobile phone technologies in it’s infancy for design consultancies Mogridge/IDEO, special effects and model making agency Derek Hendon before making a canal dredging machine for British Waterways as part of her (BSc) Engineering and Product Design Degree.
Before joining Bang creations and working with husband Stefan, Kirstin worked on Psion computers and was the lead designer on girls toys most notably the Sindy Brand while at Hasbro and Vivid Imaginations. Kirstin is the creative force behind the majority of Bangs’ licenced inventions such as “cool cards” which has sold in excess of 1.5 million unit. Kirstin has a wide variety of design skill sets and is the go to person for any projects that need a seamstress or knowledge of fabrics, though is just as happy with a set of spanners and callipers.
;)
;)
Theo
Theo is an accomplished problem solver, applying his ingenuity to all aspects of the design process from user-centred ideation to engineering solutions. Since joining in 2014 Theo has delighted in delivering solutions from concept through to production management, from mass-produced FMCGs to bespoke large scale product. Many of these products have gone on to win awards. Most recently Opløft has been awarded the prestigious GOOD DESIGN® award.
Theo graduated from the University of the West of England’s talent pool, with a BSc in Creative Product Design, here he adopted his love for the psychology of design, form and prototype tinkering. Theo was able to further his fascination with the psychology of design, having worked repeatedly for Human Engineering, an ergonomics consultancy.
Theo now heads up Bang Creation’s Bristol studio in the heart of the UK’s creative hotspot.
Sarah
Sarah believes that design is in the details. Focusing on the goal of creating a great user experience, she explores all layers of the product from aesthetics to engineering and manufacture in order to design unique solutions.
Sarah studied at Coventry University where she attained a Master’s degree in Consumer Product Design before joining the team at Bang.
Sarah also managed Bang’s successful kickstarter campaign for ‘Bob: The case for your glasses and devices’ which reached over 300% of its funding goal in 2016.
;)
;)
Jack
Jack is a proficient technical designer. After cutting his teeth as an intern working on award winning products at Bosch, Jack established himself at design consultancy IDentity. At identity Jack worked on experiential installations for clients such as Porsche, Toyota, McLaren and Bobcat. This experience has given Jack a strong foundation, managing technical multi-faceted projects under tight schedules.
He graduated from Brunel University in Industrial Design & Technology BA (Hons). Where he learnt to value the balance between aesthetics, ergonomics, and functionality. Using his natural abilities in hands on making he became proficient in prototyping, whether it be a crisp full scale cardboard mock-up or a high quality aesthetic model.
Bob
Bob is a conversant Design Engineer with a strong knowledge of electro-mechanical systems, including skills in computational simulation and analysis. He also excels in design thinking and problem solving, bringing a more technical view to design challenges.
Graduating with a first-class honours from UWE Bristol, Bob completed a final year project in innovative electric vehicle design & engineering. Before joining Bang, Bob worked in the aerospace sector as a Design Engineer, assisting in the design of satellite components using computational engineering, 3D CAD, and manufacture drawing creation.
;)
About us
Product architects
As a team of product designers, industrial designers, mechanical and electrical engineers, and production engineers we have helped companies bring new concepts to market in furniture, baby products, hair and beauty, fashion, sport, DIY and toy. Our speciality is understanding the commercially led environment these concepts must compete in, and whether the design will stand apart and succeed. We add the bang to an idea, and bring innovation to every stage of the development process.
How we work
We have earnt the reputation of being ‘product architects. But we also surround ourselves with best of breed partners across an array of disciplines to help us deliver our designs right off the production line. Every project is different, whether it’s a style, a fashion, or an innovation, it’s our job as designers to chase down every last detail to ensure the point of difference, the USP, is at the forefront of the design. The road to production is long and hard and it takes a fastidious mind set not to give up – but instead deliver, not just a product, but a product that will stand out and sell. We have taken several of our own award-winning ideas to market globally, enriching us as designers and offering our clients first-hand expertise.
Electronic
(Firmware/software/
IOT)
Most of the products we design involve electronics. From simple I/O functions through to blue tooth, wifi, gsm for the internet of things (IoT) enabled product, we work with our partners here in the UK or directly with the electronics teams in our ODM manufacturers. We make the proof of concept boards and integrate them into a working looks like prototype to prove function and fit prior to production handover. Our electronics partners have years of experience handing over development to production.
Mechanical
engineering
(FEA)
Our mechanical engineering partners have been working for us for many years and we are often getting under their feet in their workshop. There is nothing we have thrown at them they have not been able to machine or fabricate. We like to get their input at the concept stage of projects to be more cost effective, and they are instrumental in making proof of concept rigs and prototypes. Our production teams also help with FEA and production engineering.
Patent and
trademarks
We have taken many of our products through IP protection and into market as well as managing the IP process for our clients. There are three main questions to ask when it comes to developing a new product: 1. Will my IP infringe any one else's? 2. What IP is protectable in my concept? 3. When should I file? We work with a number of well established patent attorneys who have helped guide our clients through the process of gaining IP protection. We can help manage the process for you, or make the introudction for you to work direct.
Prototyping
We are always prototyping. We strive to work in physical 3D as quickly as possible as it makes the design process more efficient. As such, we have a very wide network of talented makers and materials specialists. From 3D printing, to bronze casting, from metal machining to fabric weaving, our partners have become good friends over the years as we worked closely to solve problems together.
Manufacture
What sets us apart is we make what we design. To do this we need great manufacturing partners, in different industries, in the UK, Asia and EU. Teams of people who have been making products from a wide range of industries for many years and have that experience to bring to each project. We can engage very early on with our manufacturing partners for their input, which stream lines the production process.
Branding
Building the right brand around your product is vital to its success. A brand is much more than just a logo though. It's the consistent use of colour, typography, layout, graphics and image styling that creates a unique and appealing brand for the appropriate target audience. The consistent application of the brand should then build brand equity, aid brand recognition, and create brand loyalty. Once the brand has been created, it can then be rolled out across customer touchpoints, such as websites, packaging, advertising, print collateral, etc.
Bang:
The product
architects
Production
Our core team are often found on the production line. We do produce product in the Uk and EU, but the majority is with our teams in Asia. From hand held devices through to IoT enabled machinery we produce the design right off the production line and mange the process of orders, quality control and logistics through to product being shipped by sea or air.
Packaging
The way a product is packaged varies greatly on the route to market. The package not only protects the product, but is real estate for brand communication. Very important for retail, but also a valuable branding tool when online sales are delivered. For transit we have to consider the shipping carton structure and size to optimise on pallet and in container. Our packaging partners work with us and our branding team to deliver the best packaging solutions.
Web design
The web site is often considered the main destination to find out information about your product or service. It is the ultimate embodiment of your brand and must convey the brand values we will have designed into the product. We are often asked to deliver the web site for our clients as part of the branding activity. You target customer will not only “learn” more about your product or service from the site but should also “feel” that they have found what they are searching for. Web sites are accessed on mobiles, tablets and PCs and are linked to video and social media feeds. We will out together the team of designers and builders to deliver the best brand experience on line for you.
Trade
sales
Clients often need help selling product to distributors, direct to retail or opening doors to potential licences. We have taken our own product to market and sat in many meetings with our corporate clients over the years. Stefan is often asked to help sell the developed product into potential distribution channels, and we have partners who specialise in sales we can call on.
Marketing
strategy
Taking a product to market for start-ups is often a new venture. We have done it before for a variety of products, ours and our clients. Without a plan to focus on resources can melt away quickly. We have very experienced partners that specialise in helping clients plan the route to market and partner them on that journey. We work in the world of innovation, and we and our partners have years of experience in bringing innovation to market.
Brand media
(videos, etc)
A product will need as much help as it can to deliver a brand experience to its target market. On line and off line there will be a strategy that will be both the right and most affordable solution for you. We often use our digital producers to help us deliver us a variety of videos, whether it be “stings” for viral social media or ”sales videos” for web and sales channels. Traditional print is also an important part of the mix, and again we can bring in the right partners to deliver both.
The core team
Stefan
Stefan is an award-winning designer, specialising in invention, product design, manufacture and bringing innovation to market.
Before establishing Bang Creations in 1999, he was responsible for boys’ toys at Hasbro EU, where he worked on brands including Action Man, Star Wars and Nerf. There Stefan learnt that 'you can make anything, but only marketable products sell' and went on to work with global teams to generate innovative, yet commercial product and has been instrumental in getting them to market.
Stefan qualified with a 1st Class Hons degree in Engineering Product Design, and diploma in Marketing and Business. He was awarded IED design award for sub sea electrical connector, German design Award for Colandish, MAX it award for best selling hobby product, 3 gold and 2 silver toy awards.
Kirstin
Kirstin’s strength as a creative designer has evolved from her diverse background in design. Kirstin worked on new mobile phone technologies in it’s infancy for design consultancies Mogridge/IDEO, special effects and model making agency Derek Hendon before making a canal dredging machine for British Waterways as part of her (BSc) Engineering and Product Design Degree.
Before joining Bang creations and working with husband Stefan, Kirstin worked on Psion computers and was the lead designer on girls toys most notably the Sindy Brand while at Hasbro and Vivid Imaginations. Kirstin is the creative force behind the majority of Bangs’ licenced inventions such as “cool cards” which has sold in excess of 1.5 million unit. Kirstin has a wide variety of design skill sets and is the go to person for any projects that need a seamstress or knowledge of fabrics, though is just as happy with a set of spanners and callipers.
Theo
Theo is an accomplished problem solver, applying his ingenuity to all aspects of the design process from user-centred ideation to engineering solutions. Since joining in 2014 Theo has delighted in delivering solutions from concept through to production management, from mass-produced FMCGs to bespoke large scale product. Many of these products have gone on to win awards. Most recently Opløft has been awarded the prestigious GOOD DESIGN® award.
Theo graduated from the University of the West of England’s talent pool, with a BSc in Creative Product Design, here he adopted his love for the psychology of design, form and prototype tinkering. Theo was able to further his fascination with the psychology of design, having worked repeatedly for Human Engineering, an ergonomics consultancy.
Theo now heads up Bang Creation’s Bristol studio in the heart of the UK’s creative hotspot.
Sarah
Sarah believes that design is in the details. Focusing on the goal of creating a great user experience, she explores all layers of the product from aesthetics to engineering and manufacture in order to design unique solutions.
Sarah studied at Coventry University where she attained a Master’s degree in Consumer Product Design before joining the team at Bang.
Sarah also managed Bang’s successful kickstarter campaign for ‘Bob: The case for your glasses and devices’ which reached over 300% of its funding goal in 2016.
Jack
Jack is a proficient technical designer. After cutting his teeth as an intern working on award winning products at Bosch, Jack established himself at design consultancy IDentity. At identity Jack worked on experiential installations for clients such as Porsche, Toyota, McLaren and Bobcat. This experience has given Jack a strong foundation, managing technical multi-faceted projects under tight schedules.
He graduated from Brunel University in Industrial Design & Technology BA (Hons). Where he learnt to value the balance between aesthetics, ergonomics, and functionality. Using his natural abilities in hands on making he became proficient in prototyping, whether it be a crisp full scale cardboard mock-up or a high quality aesthetic model.
Bob
Bob is a conversant Design Engineer with a strong knowledge of electro-mechanical systems, including skills in computational simulation and analysis. He also excels in design thinking and problem solving, bringing a more technical view to design challenges.
Graduating with a first-class honours from UWE Bristol, Bob completed a final year project in innovative electric vehicle design & engineering. Before joining Bang, Bob worked in the aerospace sector as a Design Engineer, assisting in the design of satellite components using computational engineering, 3D CAD, and manufacture drawing creation.