5 tips for building a low-cost prototype & user-testing it
Developing a low-cost prototype and getting users to test it saves time and money, minimises errors, and attracts investors.
Top 5 common product design mistakes and how to avoid them
Top 5 common product design mistakes and how to avoid themReading time 9 minsKey Points Jumping the gun and rushing to get a product to market leads us open to failure Common product design mistakes include: insufficient research, no quality assurance, disregarding...
6 common startup mistakes and how to avoid them
6 common startup mistakes and how to avoid themReading time 5 minsKey Points Not Defining Your Target Market Not Conducting Market Research Not Creating a Business Plan Not Securing Funding Hiring the Wrong People Not Focusing on Customer Service [dkpdf-button] Ben...
Why are B Corps gaining popularity, and should you get your company certified?
Why are B Corps gaining popularity, and should you get your company certified?Reading time 8 minsKey Points B Corp certification highlights a business’s commitment to performance, accountability and transparency Certification requires companies to demonstrate how high...
5 ways to improve your supply chain environmental, social governance impact in 2023
5 ways to improve your supply chain environmental, social governance impact in 2023Reading time 9 minsKey Points Covid-19, geopolitical problems and the increased frequency of climate catastrophes have highlighted supply chain issues worldwide Inadequacies in...
Ignitec is close to becoming a carbon neutral company
Ignitec is close to becoming a carbon neutral companyReading time 6 minsKey Points Ignitec is committed to climate responsibility Our company’s carbon footprint is measured annually We have taken measures internally to reduce energy consumption and reduce...
What makes Bristol an ideal base for green tech companies?
What makes Bristol an ideal base for green tech companies?Reading time 7 minsKey Points Bristol became the UK’s first city to receive the European Green Capital award Public transport initiatives (e.g. improving infrastructure to encourage cycling, busses that run on...
What are the top medical device regulation priorities for 2023?
What are the top medical device regulation priorities for 2023?Reading time 11 minsKey Points Proposed UK healthcare reforms will impact the medical device regulation priorities for 2023 The Life Sciences Council’s joint statement on the future of the UK’s HealthTech...
Why is medical interoperability important, and how is patient data protected?
Why is medical interoperability important, and how is patient data protected?Reading time 14 minsKey Points Medical interoperability is the ability of different computerised devices (e.g. personal care wearables, imaging devices, cardiac-implanted devices) to connect...
Conformity Assessment Marking: What kind of stamp does your device need?
Conformity Assessment Marking: What kind of stamp does your device need?Reading time 9 minsKey Points The UK leaving the EU led to changes in conformity assessment marking requirements. Changes and transitionary periods come into effect from July 2023 Manufacturers...
Will regulatory medical device reforms impact your quality management system?
Will regulatory medical device reforms impact your quality management system?Reading time 7 minsKey Points UK's proposed regulatory medical device reforms (to improve patient safety and promote innovation) will be implemented in mid-2024 A quality management system is...
Free FMEA template download: Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
Free FMEA template download: Failure Modes and Effects Analysis Reading time 10 minsKey Points It’s a logical and structured way to identify and prioritise areas (i.e. failure modes) that could cause a process, product, or service to fail, hinder success, or cause...
What are the key regulatory challenges of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD)?
What are the key regulatory challenges of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD)?Reading time 15 minsKey Points There is a lack of harmonisation between different regulatory bodies (e.g. FDA, MHRA, and EU MDR) as they define and categorise SaMD differently This changes...
What is ISO13485? Is it mandatory for medical device compliance?
What is ISO13485? Is it mandatory for medical device compliance?Reading time 7 minsKey Points ISO13485 is a Quality Management System (QMS) that’s internationally recognised All organisations must have a QMS in place to meet regulatory requirements for medical device...
How does UK MDR (Medical Device Regulations) differ from EU MDR?
How does UK MDR (Medical Device Regulations) differ from EU MDR?Reading time 8 minsKey Points All medical devices placed on the Great Britain market (England, Scotland, Wales) need to be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as...
UK medical device regulations glossary: What every medical device engineer should know
UK Medical Device Regulations (MDR) Glossary: What every medical device engineer should knowReading time 12 minsKey Points As demand for healthcare technologies increases, rushing to get products to the market by cutting corners can have serious consequences UK...
AI in healthcare and the opportunities for innovation
AI in healthcare and the opportunities for innovationReading time 16 minsKey Points AI in healthcare is transforming medical practices at a fast pace and improving preventative care Machine and deep learning, when combined with computer vision, have robust...
Are IoT based ventilators promising or impractical?
Are IoT based ventilators promising or impractical?Reading time 7 minsKey Points COVID-19 highlighted gaps in healthcare infrastructure that technology can help to fill ‘Smart’ breathing machines could help to improve patient outcomes while reducing the workload of...
Can wearables improve healthcare and how are they administered?
Can wearables improve healthcare and the way it’s administered?Reading time 11 minsKey Points Wearables improve healthcare by helping to prevent, diagnose, monitor and treat illnesses Millennials and baby boomers are the largest groups of wearables users The global...
Hearing aids as medical devices and their new declassification opportunities
Hearing aids as medical devices and their new declassification opportunitiesReading time 10 minsKey Points The World Health Organization’s prediction that one in every 10 people will require some form of hearing rehabilitation by 2050 has led to a worldwide focus on...
How medical IoT offers enhanced versions of conventional devices
How medical IoT offers enhanced versions of conventional devicesReading time 11 minsKey Points COVID-19 accelerated innovation and development in the medical industry. Digital healthcare has become a necessity for many patients and practitioners Current trends include...
10 medical device design tips for design engineers
10 medical device design tips for design engineersReading time 17 minsKey Points Learn the dynamics of the healthcare industry from both the end-user and developer perspectives, and understand the terminology needed for effective communication Remember that technology...
Top 5 uses of software as medical device & the impacts on healthcare
Top 5 uses of software as a medical device & the impacts on healthcareReading time 11 minsKey Points Software as a medical device (SaMD) is a class of medical software designed to perform one or more medical functions without the need for actual hardware UK...
Is my product a UK medical device?
Is my product a UK medical device?Reading time 8 minsKey Points The WHO estimates that there are currently 2 million types of medical devices on the world market The Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the executive agency that oversees the regulation of...
The transformational potential of IoT in healthcare
The transformational potential of IoT in healthcareReading time 17 minsKey Points The digital age is transforming healthcare due to networked devices sending data over the internet IoMT refers to how the Internet of Medical Things enables patients to have more...
The Ignitec team is growing
The Ignitec team is growingReading time 2.5 minsKey Points Ignitec is growing! We are nearly 10 years old! We are very excited to welcome James and Sowmiya who have joined our Bristol team to support with hardware, software and embedded development We are filled with...
How can Haptic Feedback have a meaningful impact?
How can Haptic Feedback have a meaningful impact?Reading time 9 minsKey Points Touch is the most persistent of all our senses. We have more than 3,000 touch receptors in our fingertips alone Haptic technology has enabled the design of devices with a real...
How do wearables fuel big data
How do wearables fuel big data?Reading time 9.5 minsKey Points A booming tech market - which includes wearables, e-textiles and other smart devices - results in the collection of massive amounts of data These large data sets can be analysed computationally to reveal a...
How to consider human factors in wearable design processes
How to consider human factors in wearable design processesReading time 9.5 minsKey Points Consideration of human factors (e.g. attention span, forgetfulness) is essential for the design of successful wearables How do we make technology work better with humans Top...
The benefits of using e-textiles to enhance healthcare
The benefits of using e-textiles to enhance healthcareReading time 9 minsKey Points e-Textiles in healthcare are making considerable progress in helping with diagnostics, disease prevention, and treatment Conductive threads can function as sensors and data transfer...
Wearable pharmaceuticals and their impact on healthcare
Wearable pharmaceuticals and their impact on healthcareReading time 12 minsKey Points Wearable pharmaceuticals allow both healthcare providers and patients to benefit from better treatment outcomes, e.g. targeted treatments with fewer side effects than conventional...
Consumer consent, privacy and ethics of wearables
Consumer consent, privacy and ethics of wearablesReading time 11 minsKey Points A booming tech market is leading to increased concerns regarding the privacy and ethics of wearables Most users don’t understand the security risks 75% of people distrust the way their...
The Future of Wearable Technology: Meaningful impact or passing trend?
The Future of Wearable Technology: Meaningful impact or passing trend?Reading time 10 minsKey Points The wearable technologies market is booming and expected to reach USD 118.16 billion by 2028 Wearables have entered into a wide range of industries from health,...
Uncovering the opportunities of e-textiles and smart fabrics
Uncovering the opportunities of e-textiles and smart fabricsReading time 8 minsKey Points Electronically integrated and responsive fabrics are changing the face of fashion, healthcare, and occupational safety Sustainably designed clothing, garments that provide...
The climate responsibility outlook for 2022 and beyond
The climate responsibility outlook for 2022 and beyondReading time 11 minsKey Points The climate crisis and environment instability is worsening but actions taken this decade could limit the severity of future impact Governments, fossil fuel industries, and investors...
Sustainable design and why it matters for a net-zero future
Sustainable design and why it matters for a net-zero futureReading time 9.5 minsKey Points Reaching Net Zero (cutting Greenhouse Gas emissions) by 2050 requires all sectors to be more committed to mitigating climate change Sustainable Design is a comprehensive...
Environmental monitoring and natural disaster management
Environmental monitoring and natural disaster managementReading time 8.5 minsKey Points Natural disasters dominated the world news for the first half of 2022, resulting in loss of lives, population displacement, ecosystem fragility, and economic disruption IoT and...
Can smart forests save themselves?
Can smart forests save themselves? Reading time 9 minsKey Points Forests continue to be endangered despite government pledges to decrease deforestation Smart Forests (aka Internet of Trees) are equipped with sensors to monitor their surroundings, detect threats, and...
IoT to deplastify oceans: Solution or exacerbation?
IoT to deplastify oceans: Solution or exacerbation?Reading time 10 minsKey Points 88% of the ocean’s surface is covered in plastic waste. Plastic waste and pollution are forecast to double by 2040 IoT to deplastify oceans could be an effective and cost-efficient...
IoT in farming prevents insect population decline
IoT in farming prevents insect population declineReading time 9 minsKey Points Insect populations are declining by as much as 50% in some areas due to climate change and intensive agriculture Widespread loss of insects will lead to species extinction, food insecurity,...
Can IoT and Biomimicry help with sustainable development?
Can IoT and Biomimicry help with sustainable development?Reading time 9 minsKey Points 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) listed by the UN that should be met by 2030 in order to ensure security and prosperity Biomimicry is the design of products and systems based...
Could an IoT ecosystem for plastic make recycling work?
Could an IoT ecosystem for plastic make recycling work?Reading time 10 minsKey Points Less than 9% of the 300 million tonnes of plastic produced every year is actually recycled Governments and companies mislead consumers by greenwashing their policies/products - which...
Using Marine Technology to protect oceans and influence decision-making
Using Marine Technology to protect oceans and influence decision-makingReading time 8 minsKey Points The health of marine ecosystems is rapidly declining Threats include overfishing, climate change, pollution, shipping, and mining Scientific observation and data...
Smart Ocean Technologies in the fight against IUU Fishing
Smart Ocean Technologies in the fight against IUU FishingReading time 6 minsKey Points Overfishing is a more significant threat to marine ecosystems than climate change and plastic pollution Environmental, economic, and social costs of illegal fishing have global...
The hidden costs behind cloud seeding
The hidden costs behind cloud seedingReading time 10 minsKey Points Countries solving the problems of drought and desertification by using cloud seeding technologies to make it rain It keeps agricultural production steady, provides water security, improves the...
Household waste, smart kitchen appliances, and desertification
Household waste, smart kitchen appliances, and desertification[read_meter] KEY POINTS Agricultural expansion leads to soil erosion and land degradation 70% of UK food wastage comes from households Smart kitchen appliances help consumers reduce food waste FridgeCam and...
ISO9001 re-certification
ISO9001:2015 re-certificationPosted by Ben Mazur 12.07.2022We are ISO9001:2015 certified for another 3 years ISO9001 is an internationally recognised quality management standard It places all of our processes and performance under the microscope It puts our clients...
Back to the studio
Back to the studioPosted by Ben Mazur 25.06.2020Back to the studio After nearly 4 months of remote working, the Ignitec team are returning to the studio We are still following government guidance on social distancing Client meetings will still be virtual Some team...
Covid-19 status update
Covid-19 status update Posted by Ben Mazur 09.04.2020Covid-19 status update We are working remotely and social distancing Projects are on-going as normal Reach us by phone, email or chat We are supporting any initiatives that need our help Stay home Ben MazurManaging...
Design thinking
Design thinking – A practical guide to design thinkingPosted by Ben Mazur 15.01.2020Design thinking summary Design thinking is a creative methodology used to identify unmet needs Design thinking is a user-centric design process focussed on designing better products...
10 good reasons to work with a product design consultancy
10 good reasons to work with a product design consultancy Posted by Ben Mazur 10.12.2019A product design consultancy... Helps you generate new ideas Provides specific expertise for your project Boosts your capacity Broadens the skills and knowledge you have available...
Free Non-Disclosure Agreement template to keep your next product idea safe
Free Non-Disclosure Agreement NDA template to keep your next product idea safePosted by Ben Mazur 06.12.2019keep your idea safe with an NDA NDAs protect your vital business interests Be specific - ambiguous NDAs are a risk Define what is confidential Clearly define...
How to write an effective product design brief
How to write an effective product design briefPosted by Ben Mazur 26.11.2019 Tips for writing a user centred brief An effective brief aligns all parties on what the goal is Keep it short and concise Frame the user and their needs Identify problems to be solved Don’t...
Graduates, here’s how to get noticed and land that dream product design job
Graduates, here’s how to get noticed and land that dream product design jobPosted by Ben Mazur 22.11.2019Make your design portfolio stand out Make it personal Make it relevant Keep it short Make it mobile friendly Focus on your strengths __.__Ben MazurManaging...
How to reduce your manufacturing costs
How to reduce your manufacturing costsPosted by Ben Mazur 12.11.2019How to reduce manufacturing costs Look beyond your first order to how many parts you will order over the next 3 years Keep everything as simple as you can, it will have a big effect on unit costs...
The importance of test rigs in research and development
The importance of test rigs in research and developmentPosted by Ben Mazur 24.10.2019What is a test rig? Test rigs are bespoke testing devices Used for lab testing of new ideas Demonstrate key functionality Made of configurable circuits and modules Emphasis is placed...
10 tips for designing tough plastic products for harsh environments
10 tips for designing tough plastic products for harsh environmentsPosted by Ben Mazur 24.10.2019 How to design rugged products Make everything thicker and reinforce with extra strengthening ribs Select appropriate materials, polycarbonate, ABS, glass filled plastics,...
Ignitec is now Cyber Essentials certified
Ignitec is now Cyber Essentials certifiedPosted by Ben Mazur 20.08.2019Ben Mazur Managing Director Cybersecurity is becoming a big concern for businesses with hacks, scams, data breaches and ransomware costing billions of pounds each year. And the...
We’ve moved!
We’ve moved!Posted by Ben Mazur 14.08.2019 Ben Mazur Managing Director Ignitec has moved to The Powerhouse in North Bristol [otw_shortcode_dropcap label="A" size="large" border_color_class="otw-no-border-color"...
What is an IP rating?
What is an IP rating?Posted by Ben Mazur 12.08.2019 Ben MazurManaging Director Designed to meet IP rating standards Some devices we develop at Ignitec must work in the toughest conditions, from icy ocean waters to extremely hot, dusty environments....
Ignitec’s design and development process recognised again by BSI
Ignitec’s design and development process recognised again by BSIPosted by Ben Mazur 10.07.2019 Ben MazurManaging Director Ignitec’s design and development process recognised again by BSI Three years ago, the British Standards Institution (BSI) awarded...
Mi.Mu: Transforming music composition and performance
Mi.Mu: Transforming music composition and performancePosted by Ben Mazur 04.06.2019 Ben MazurManaging Director The official launch of Mi.Mu gloves After 18 months working with Mi.Mu, Ignitec’s Rob Hall joined musicians and global media in a central...
Meet our new Objet260 Connex 3 3D printer
Meet our new Objet260 Connex 3 3D printerPosted by Ben Mazur 09.04.2019 Ben Mazur Managing Director To meet ever-mounting demand for super high-quality prototypes and functional materials, we’ve invested in new rapid prototyping technology. Say hello...
Product design and industrial design – what’s the difference?
Product design and industrial design – what’s the difference?Posted by Ben Mazur 27.02.2019Product design vs industrial design It depends who you ask, where they are from and where they studied The difference is subtle and there is no answer everyone can agree on...
How to select a manufacturer for your product
How to select a manufacturer for your productPosted by Ben Mazur 10.01.2019Select a manufacturer for your product Speak to several manufacturers and get multiple quotes It can be easier to look in your local country Look for accreditations such as ISO:9001 Ask to see...
Five ideation techniques you can use to help boost creativity in your organisation
Five ideation techniques that will boost your team’s creative-idea generationPosted by Ben Mazur, Nov 7, 2018Five ideation techniques Try multiple ideation techniques with your team and see which work best Be aware of the less confident people in the team Ideas come...
Turn: A prestigious ‘A Design Award’ winner
Turn: A prestigious 'A Design Award' winnerPosted by Lucy Cripps 29.10.2018 At Ignitec, we love it when the products we develop, design and dream up win awards and gain recognition – it’s a wonderful achievement for both our clients and us. And that’s...
Voice control to become “bedrock” of the smart home
Voice control to become “bedrock” of the smart homeby Charley Millard | Sep 25, 2018 The smart home market has flattered to deceive. Despite promises to simplify our lives and countless Kickstarter campaigns most homes remain decidedly un-smart. That’s...
Ultra-thin electronics could thin out the wearables herd
Ultra thin electronics could thin out the wearables herdPosted by Lee Chantrey | 18.09.2018 At present wearables face a difficult balancing act between two features that will be critical to their success – function and form. Enhancing the capabilities...
Is your office job safe from artificial intelligence?
Is your office job safe from artificial intelligence?Posted by Angelo D'Onofrio | 12.09.2018 The spectre of artificial intelligence and machines taking over office jobs long considered immune to automation has entered the mainstream consciousness in...
What will Brexit mean for UK businesses that manufacture in China
What will Brexit mean for UK businesses that manufacture in ChinaPosted by Rob Hall | 03.09.2018 Newspapers are full of stories about Brexit and early trade agreement talks between the UK and China. What should business do in the meantime? The British...
Combining energy harvesting to power the Internet of Things
Combining energy harvesting to power the Internet of ThingsPosted by Rob Hall | 19.08.2018 One of the main promises of the Internet of Things is the ability to monitor everything, thanks to nearly ubiquitous sensors attached to everything from our...
iRobot: AI robot developed that can choose to inflict pain
iRobot: AI robot developed that can choose to inflict painPosted by Charley Millard | 15.09.2018 Artificial intelligence, how will it affect us in the future? Will it enable the automation of mundane tasks or is it something we should be seriously...
Powering wearables will require a more flexible approach
Powering wearables will require a more flexible approachPosted by Christian Thorne | 14.08.2018 Flexible electronics – From stick-on patches for medical monitoring, activity tracking armbands and sensors, circuits and screens stitched into our clothes...
Could healthcare robotics lead to surgery without surgeons?
Could healthcare robotics lead to surgery without surgeons? Posted by Ben Mazur | 10.08.2018 Robot assisted surgery In this article we discuss robot assisted surgery. Many industries are waking up to the benefits of utilising robots in their...
How prototyping and user-centred design leads to better products
How prototyping and user-centred design leads to better productsPosted by Angelo D'Onofrio | 26.07.2018 User centred design User centred design is a methodology and set of design practices which involve users at every stage of the product development...
VRGo’s Joe Ryan gives his tips on how to get funded on Kickstarter
VRGo’s Joe Ryan gives his tips on how to get funded on KickstarterPosted by Lee Chantrey | 22.07.2018How to get funded on Kickstarter; we caught up with VR entrepreneur Joe Ryan to get his tips on launching a successful campaign. After developing VRGo with us Joe took...