Trusted advisors. Inspired Experts.

Our team works across many sectors bringing you experience in design, and technology integration for consumer electronics, sports wearables, medical device development, design for manufacturer and design for tough environments.

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THE TEAM

Julian Swan (Co-Founder)

Julian is the Engineering lead at The Imagination Factory, providing expertise in innovation & production engineering. He has worked on a diverse range of products including medical devices, sports equipment, drinks packaging and ruggedised film equipment. He graduated from Queens University Belfast with a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering and an MSc in Computer Aided Mechanical Engineering Design.

human centred product designer Mark Hester Founder The Imagination Factory

Mark Hester (Co-Founder, Technology Director)

Mark is the Human-Centred Design lead at The Imagination Factory ensuring that all our projects are focussed on the motivations, needs and desires of the people we are designing for. He also brings expertise in the areas of physical and digital prototyping so that ideas can be tested early and often throughout the design process. He’s a Brunel University graduate with a BSc in Industrial Design.

Roger Gray (Design Director)

Roger has a background in science and has spent the last 18 years working both in industry and consultancy.

When he is not fighting off Great White Sharks (google it!) he is our Design Director.

He graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a Graduate Diploma in Industrial design and a Bachelor of Industrial Design.

Tristram Keech (Creative Director)

Tris, is an *award-winning product designer and design strategist with strong visual acuity and a deep appreciation for user-centred design techniques.

His expertise and focus at The Imagination Factory is creating Visual Brand Languages and developing Brand DNA for our clients; using innovative techniques to inspire insight-based design across a variety of technology contexts and business sectors.

*Red Dot | Deutsche Design Preis | Millennium Product Award | D&AD

Tim Maclean (Engineering Manager)

Tim is the engineering manager at The Imagination Factory and brings expertise in developing technologies and concepts through to finished manufactured products.

Always keen to add innovation, where users can value tangible benefits. He holds patents and awards for products in medical, military and consumer markets.

A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bath.

Bob Turner (Product Design Engineer)

Bob is our Product Design Engineer. He gets excited about applying technology to solve real problems and has experience of working in sustainability, healthcare, automotive and art installations. He graduated from Glasgow School of Art and The University of Glasgow with an MEng in Product Design Engineering. and an MA and MSc in Innovation Design Engineering from The Royal College of Art and Imperial College London.

Katy Brooks The Imagination Factory product designer

Katy Brooks (Product Designer)

Katy is a keen amateur cyclist, runner and rower and has a strong interest in the design of sports and fitness products. Katy always loves a personal challenge and has recently sailed the North sea and cycled from the West to the East of the UK. She graduated from Brunel University with a BA in Industrial Design and Technology.

Jess Logan (Intern)

Jess is one of our interns working with us this year and is an asset to all the project teams she works with. She likes getting involved in all aspects of the design process and loves solving technical problems.

She is from Brunel University, where she is studying Product Design Engineering (BSc).

Tom Bell (Intern)

Tom is one of our interns involved in all steps of the product journey, taking concepts from insight to implementation. He is studying Product Design and Technology (BSc) at Loughborough University. He's always looking for ways to incorporate new technologies into a project to better design for the future.

Angela McGarrigle (Business Development Manager)

Angela is responsible for our Business Development, although it’s not all about metrics and targets. For Angela, it’s about the people - their real needs and how to help solve their challenges to serve a better purpose. She’s worked with some of the world's leading brands across a diverse range of sectors from within FMCG and Medical to industrial and transport.

Fiona McKinlay The Imagination Factory Studio Administrator

Fiona McKinlay (HR, Accounts + Studio Coordinator)

Fiona has responsibility for Admin & HR at The Imagination Factory, having graduated from Leeds University with a degree in Fashion & Textiles.

She worked as a Fashion Buyer and more recently as a School Administrator and is enjoying being back in a creative environment again.

Imagination Factory digital communications Clare Hester

Clare Hester (Marketing + Digital)

Clare drives the marketing function at The Imagination Factory. With 25 years in marketing and digital communications she helps us develop campaigns, keep our website topped up and explain to the world what goes on through the factory doors. She graduated from Newcastle University with a BSc in Agriculture, Marketing and Business.

Alastair Burton (Finance Director)

Alastair is responsible for accounting and finance functions at The Imagination Factory. He has over 25 years experience having worked in both industry and private practice. He graduated from Ulster University with a BA(Hons) in Applied Economics and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Factory Fridays

We've coined a phrase in our studio - Factory Fridays. Working on our own IP each week, with the same energy and expertise we bring to client projects, has given life to ideas we've had individually and collectively over the years.

Some of these become solutions for individuals and organisations seeking the creative engineering that has emerged. And the best part is that this entrepreneurial expression in each of us, keeps the fire in our belly and provides investment opportunities and partnership initiatives for others.

We love new ideas and seeing them turn into reality is why we do what we do.

However confident you are that a product is truly innovative, it's never deemed a success until the user loves it as much as we do. That said, We can't pretend the results haven't delighted us, as we've seen our products transform lives and business operations.

Take a look at:

Real-life Iron Man heads up display, as featured in Wired, on BBC and Red Bull
SwimAR. World's first heads up display for swimmers

Design for AR
Design for VR
Design for Rail
Design for Health

Design for Space
Design for Recycling
Design for Manufacturing
Design for a Circular Economy

Trusted advisors. Inspired Experts.

THE TEAM

Factory Fridays

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