Hi All, Not wanting to be the swat and start the ball rolling but today I decided to allocate as one of those to start things off. So here are my thoughts and reactions to the Quest so far. I may be a million miles away in m thoughts to everyone so please feel free to comment and disagree (and amend spelling!)
Hope all is well
Regards
Andrew T

Smiths of Derby. For me perhaps the most interesting as they seem to be coming from an angle that I work with the most in terms of being a traditional company and wanting to attract a different target audience that perhaps is more design conscious. I am worried about the new identity proposal, however perhaps the most comforting thing about that is that they seem willing to change this and look and other suggestions. I felt that they were almost wanting to be seen as an entirely different entity and almost push aside their past in the creation of the new sub company.

Product Generation?-
I find the Tower Clocks and 'Off the shelf' style of the traditional landmark clock slightly offensive when used in the wrong environment and I think this is the fault of the buyer, architect and end user rather than that of Smiths. For me, Time, and the process of telling time does not need to be an erect structure that battles with presence within an area but instead something that is more subtle and environment conscious. Rather than have a structure above ground level to battle with the skyline of buildings, I think that a design that is interactive in telling 'time' that perhaps is in the pavement and at floor level.
I would like to propose looking at creating an 'Off the shelf' product that Smiths can produce that will be able to be used in many environments that encourage interaction in the process of telling time.
Some of the catch line used at the mission by Smiths of Derby was ' 150 years in the business of time'- and 'where is time going'- for me the appeal to create an interactive clock that doesn't just tell the time of day in numbers is very inspiring.

Telling Time-
A devise that captures time in images through cameras in walls and displayed elsewhere to track a journey of time
A devise that positively tells us of time spent on environment issues
A PH paper devise which tells the amount of aid rain
A new version of a milestone that calculates time from one post to another
The movement of light as a path of time
Nb-
There is a interesting public art in Brighton on the seafront which uses recycled glass bricks t create a path, the idea is that when walked on in bear feet it feels relaxing but also provides a journey to follow (or a trail).

click here to see the pic

Other reactions from Smiths of Derby Visit-
It was discussed with some and thoughts bounced about in our little sub groups that perhaps Smiths should retain their right to have their name in the centre of clocks-
The GRP area would perhaps be a better viable way of working if it was seen as a separate company rather than confuse the onlooker as what exactly it is that Smiths of Derby concentrate on.

BGB Underwater lighting
Does anyone else think that perhaps further research should go into this new market of underwater quay lighting before the company embark on investment? I was worried that perhaps the decision to create a product was based on one enquiry. I know Dubai is an ever expanding market but perhaps something could be designed working alongside the company's ability to mastermind underwater lighting and used in both a commercial and domestic way.

For me, the use of a light at the end of a boat seemed to be something that they could quite easily create themselves, and in fact are already there with some additions of interaction between the boat user and their light.
The interesting design angle for me was to use their ability of creating underwater lighting but move the ability into more aesthetically pleasing products rather than the stay with the submarine functional look of the light. (i know some think this is great and I agree in a kind of Jam design kind of way, but I think there is more scope for creating something that w0uld enter the company into a different area)
I would like to tackle the project to create an idea that would still create underwater lighting but at the same time create an artistic effect above the surface as well which would combine function with design.
Possible ideas to add-
A floating 'buoy' kind of design that illuminated the water but also acted a s a functional, public art piece for quays, but also for more accessible areas of water spaces such as lakes, ponds etc.
A static piece to fix onto the side of swimming pools that creates light under water and above water.
other thoughts so far-
A number of catch titles were used at BGB which I think they wanted us to be inspired by, I was walking round with David Holt the director of BGB and he was saying that he thought the lights looked ugly as they were and are looking for ways to make them more aesthetically pleasing-
'looking for sricking visual effect'
'environmental product'-another reason for using a light source above water from the same light source and not just to illuminate water- Solar?
'To find new methods to illuminate underwater areas'

In addition to that BGB perhaps need more help with moving an image from a machine and material based company to an end product company and make them appear more accessible. I think someone mentioned that there was a picture of their building on the website?