Chris Glaister // Folio

Role: Senior Designer, Blend Studios

Working closely with the inventor of the grab-it oven glove, Duncan Turner, we took the concept from prototype to full scale production in the space of 4 months. This involved working in China with our manufacturer to push the tight development schedule.

The Orli Products brand, website and supporting media were created in the lead up to the product launch at the NEC Summer Fair where the grab-it was picked up by a major distributor and many independent homewares retailers.

Visit the Product Development Portfolio for videos and images from China.

Role: Self initiated project.

A bedside light that keeps the place in your book. The switch it actuated by the weight of the book and can be opperated by sliding it back or forth. Powder coated sheet steel, fabric coated flex. Designed in colaboration with Martin Yong.

Created 2011 in colboration with intercation designer, Tim Diacon, Made To Pleasure is an online venture allowing customers to design their own sex toy.

Above: "Curve" in clear acrylic, silver and gold plated finishes. 

MTP was created to plug a hole in a market which traditionally sticks with a one size fits all policy. With such an intimate product it seemed prudent to offer a level of customisation to the user. Designed with constant input from a group of 15 female testers, the online store features a bespoke boutique where customers can design their own toys starting from a selection of standard templates. The size, shape and material can be altered depending on personal preferences using an interactive interface.

Above: The Interactive Design Boutique

There are also six different styles of ‘off the peg’ toys to choose from. availible in clear perspex, silver or gold plated and each shape in 3 sizes.

Above: Packaging

Bespoke orders are emailed automatically to custom a built machine which manufactures their design from their chosen material.

Role: Senior Designer, Je Joue

SaSi and G-Ki were created to compete in the growing market of premium sex toys. Working closely with a small team of designers, branding consultants and sales people, both products were created, produced and launched to critical acclaim. Over the past 3 years both products have won a multitude of industry awards for innovation and are on sale world wide.

A collaboration with Myla London created the "Myla by Je Joue" currently on sale in all their boutique outlets.

Visit the Je Joue website for more details.

Client: Bright Green Technology

Role: Lead Designer / Design Engineer, Blend Studios

A new LED back-light system for 6 sheet posters was developed for Bright Green Technology as a low energy alternative to conventional florescent tube systems. Installed across the New York Subway system the product has saved the customer energy and maintenance spend. 

Client: Yotel Capsule Hotels

Role: Senior Designer, Blend Studios

Whilst at Blend Studios we were approached by capsule hotel chain Yotel, who required a fresh idea for their staff ID lanyards. One concept was taken forward and manufactured in small batch quantities for the launch of their first location at Heathrow.

Royal College of Art Graduation Project

Cheap digital cameras have dramatically changed the way we think about photos; especially at social events. Since photos are now free to take, instant to review and simple to delete, cameras often become distractions. The Olson camera was developed to buck this trend. Capable of autonomously capturing images over periods of minutes or hours Olson frees the hands and mind of the user to enjoy themselves at social events.

Once activated Olson can be left alone to snap away. By interpreting inputs from 4 directional microphones it silently pans and tilt the camera lens towards interesting moments. The images are processed internally into 3D arrangements intended to capture the whole atmosphere of the event.

Developed to proof of principle prototype. 

Project Sponsored by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Exhibited at the Interact 1 exhibition at the LLC.

Royal College of Art Graduation Project

A lighting system for the home which scales to suit large or small spaces.

Developed to proof of principle prototype whilst at the Royal College of Art.

Short listed for an OXO Peugout Design Award in 2003.