Overview
James Meadwell is a Senior Research Fellow in Design and Manager of the Design Matter group, a product design and research consultancy at NTU who help businesses of all sizes develop new products. His primary role is to engage with businesses on their new product development projects, working as a hands-on Product Design Engineer, Design Project Manager or adviser depending on the nature of the project.
James’ work nurtures links between academia and industry ensuring both parties can benefit from the shared knowledge exchanged during a product development project. His research outputs stem from the design projects he works on and he has published or has been co-author on work which explores the practice of product design and work that explores the design of a specific product/product group.
James is currently actively involved in multiple design projects either as Lead Designer or Project Manager and he is an experienced PI on research projects in addition to being a Design Consultant to industry.
James has worked on products as diverse as award winning healthcare products, heavy machinery for the metals industry for clients such as Samsung and Alcoa, light framed steel buildings for a joint venture between Redrow and Corus, furniture for clients including John Lewis and innovative medical devices for companies such as Rober, Olberon and Inspiration Healthcare PLC.
The Design Matter Group helps companies of all sizes to innovate, bringing product ideas to life with our broad knowledge and experience of the new product development proces.
James Meadwell, Senior Research Fellow in Design and Manager of the Design Matter group.
Current Research Areas & Activities
Design for Healthcare
Design of Medical Devices
Design for Arthritis
Design of Machinery
Consumer Product Design
Design Education
Design for Sustainability
Design within SMEs
Specialises in
Product Design
Concept Development
User Experience
Prototyping
Design Consultation
Selected Publications
MEADWELL, J. , PAXMAN-CLARKE, L., TERRIS, D. and FORD, P. , 2019. In search of a performing seal: rethinking the design of tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment facepieces for users with facial hair. Safety and Health at Work. ISSN 2093-7911
FORD, P. , MEADWELL, J. and TERRIS, D., 2016. The need for a holistic approach to sustainability in new product development from the designers perspective. In: International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark, 8-9 September 2016.
FORD, P. , MEADWELL, J. and TERRIS, D., 2016. The need for a holistic approach to sustainability in new product development from the designers perspective. In: E. BOHEMIA, A. KOVACEVIC, L. BUCK, C. TOLLESTRUP, K. ERIKSEN and N. OVESEN, eds., Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education: Design Education: Collaboration and Cross-Disciplinarity (E&PDE 2016), Aalborg, Denmark, 8-9 September 2016. [Glasgow]: Design Society, pp. 71-76. ISBN 9781904670780
MEADWELL, J. , TERRIS, D. and FORD, P. , 2015. Interest in the commercial? Using commercial design projects in pedagogy. In: J. MCCARDLE, G. BINGHAM, A. KOVACEVIC, E. BOHEMIA, D.J. SOUTHEE and B. PARKINSON, eds., Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education: Great Expectations: Design Teaching, Research and Enterprise, E and PDE 2015, University of Loughborough, Loughborough, 3-4 September 2015. Glasgow: The Design Society, pp. 50-55. ISBN 9781904670629
MEADWELL, J. , TERRIS, D. and FORD, P. , 2016. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing? Do BSc product design courses discourage collaboration? In: E. BOHEMIA, A. KOVACEVIC, L. BUCK, C. TOLLESTRUP, K. ERIKSEN and N. OVESEN, eds., Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education: Design Education: Collaboration and Cross-Disciplinarity (E&PDE 2016), Aalborg, Denmark, 8-9 September 2016. [Glasgow]: Design Society, pp. 40-45. ISBN 9781904670780