Personal Electric Vehicle
Over a number of years we have been involved developing Dragonfly; a new breed of micro-mobility transport.
From a clean sheet we created a series of seriously fun rigs to evolve the principle product requirements. This experimentation established a unique folding format and control tiller that is neither scooter or skateboard, yet is significantly safer, more practical and more fun to ride.
In order to meet tight project timelines we partnered with a global team of vehicle specialists, mechanical and software engineers.
Ratio marshalled the design throughout. From componentry design, UI, multiple accessories, luggage, packaging, vehicle graphics, exhibitions, marketing collateral and extensive drivers manuals.
DIN hardware for smart home controls.
A design exercise in logic across multiple product variants and creating clarity for the install engineer. Logical, visible terminal labelling is the key.
The compact DIN rail mounted enclosure is simpler to assemble, maintain and caters for multiple product variants via tool inserts and simple label changes.
Working alongside the small Rako team of engineers Ratio created developed the product right through to the final production liaison and part inspection.
Since creating the award winning CX range in 2012 Ratio have continued to collaborate on future products, exploring the rich Cambridge heritage and progressive approach.
Novelty is avoided, honest products with charisma without compromising a sense of timelessness.
An elegant future-retro electric scooter for an Italian supercar manufacturer.
From a blank sheet to the final assembly of multiple working prototype vehicles, we worked alongside the engineering team to ensure the original Ratio concept met the required expectations for the launch of the e-mobility range.
Multiple Speaker Products
The Altec Lansing brand has a reputable audio history in the US since 1927. Over a number of years we have created a variety of new speaker products for a breadth of new markets.
HydraBuds: A range of TWS ear buds utilising their Helix wing ear fit system for improved comfort. The pinch release case aims to avoid the typical earbud spillage when fumbled.
Heritage Speakers: Multiple variants were developed with distinctively retro aesthetic for the domestic audience.
Shower Speaker: Project timelines meant we needed to supply a selection of ideas and preliminary CAD information within a matter of weeks. Two of the three shower product concepts went straight into production…a great return for Altec!
Bedside Speaker Clock: This addresses the limited real estate issues common to bedsides by simply creating a useful top surface. The dense silicone top tray provides useful stowage for the 'bedside bits' we all have. This component can also be replaced with a twin slot holster for charging phones & tablets.
Monitor stand & slide out drawer (with 2 handle styles), this product was created for our own use and has been tested for many years in the Ratio studio.
With a nod to the classic steel storage systems it simply provides an improved display height (no more book stacking) & stores all the usual desktop mess whilst the open corners allow cables through from hubs etc.
Semi gloss powder coated steel, non-scratch feet & soft felt drawer glides.
L 480 (or 320) D220 H60.
Batch manufactured to order in the UK. Just get in touch for more info & pricing or via BuyDesign for manufacturing rights.
Hi-Fi Separates
Cambridge Audio are one of the largest UK hi-fi and home cinema brands, with an established and loyal music loving customer base.
Ratio worked with the engineers at Cambridge to create the new CX series, combining an evolutionary look with a more progressive design direction for the new flagship products. The tapered underside provides a unique floating aesthetic & improved sonic performance. The six components avoid attention seeking details in favour of a logical precision, with a fit and finish that simply speak for themselves.
Collectable Toy Car
Originating from a pioneering family heritage, GRE Classics symbolises the best of British.
Aimed at the luxury sector and inspired by the vintage racers of the 1920’s, the premium ride-on product represents timeless, collectable craftsmanship.
We were involved from the very start with product strategy, concept design, engineering, manufacture liaison & branding.
Rako produce state-of-the-art home control systems.
Modular Keypad.
Innovative engineering behind the timeless, switch simplicity enables this wired or wireless module to maintain a customisable assembly for a multitude of control & finish options.
Hub.
Once a utilitarian hidden hardware component this product has an elevated status where customers may opt to have in a more accessible, visible location.
The shallow lid recess helps identify the zone used for the wireless pairing of keypads & the innovative mounting plate allows for wall or ceiling mounting in any orientation, simplifying the installation.
Office Seating
Dixi embraces the privacy and acoustic needs of people working in open office spaces. The unique, sculptural form provides a cosy seclusion; the sides offer visual privacy from ipad peepers and acoustic control benefits.
The chair has a friendly yet practical form with a comparatively small footprint, allowing flexible integration into breakout environments.
The range continues to expand, tub and club variants are now available with walnut and wire cage base options.
View at Connection here
Kitchen appliances specifically for the Middle East.
Details currently not for publication.
Premium Hi-Fi
The Bespoke Audio Company is a UK manufacturer of class leading audio products with a philosophy founded on the union between the luxurious experience of the customer and the exceptional performance of the product.
We were commissioned to create and engineer their first product. The solid aluminium mitred body, beautifully veneered top panels & inlaid optional trim components offer a custom specification to stereophile customers.
Meticulous engineering and manufacture inside and out delivered a product exuding craftsmanship without compromise.
Industrial Hardware
Part of the global Honeywell group, Trend’s systems are the brains behind controlling virtually every type of non-residential environment.
We have been fortunate to be a design partner to Trend for many years working alongside the engineers on ideation, product development, UI and graphics.
Our role with IQ®4 was to established the look of the next generation of controllers and touchscreens, conveying a ‘Trusted Intelligence’. Driven by user research and insights, the product family is a versatile modular system that offers installers market leading technology with the practical benefits of a reduced product size & simple module interconnects.
The unique, integrated terminal covers rotate back into the housing in order to eliminate loss or damage during installation, typical of products in this sector. This functional feature helps minimise installation delays, something the engineers are very happy to hear.
Having established the new industrial design language we have developed comprehensive design guidelines covering all aspects of the Trend brand.
For more information about why the DBA awarded us a Silver Effectiveness Award take a look at the commercial reasons here effectivedesign.org.uk
Tubes. A new range of contract seating and tabling.
Tubular steel is celebrated with a linear, graphic simplicity. Comprised of a collection of connected tubular forms the simplicity is distinctively bold.
Recognising the need for regular ad hoc repositioning, the tables and seats are comparatively lightweight and structurally rigid in order to withstand the inevitable dragging into position.
Highly functional, economical and fit for purpose the utilitarian aesthetic also has the benefits of flexible component finish options and simple on-site assembly.
Recording Equipment
Forte is the flagship portable audio interface from Focusrite. It represents the pinnacle of Focusrite's analogue audio circuit design coupled with the latest in digital conversion technologies.
Whilst the impressive specification and performance will amaze those musicians in the know, the physical product was simply clean, solid and beautifully intuitive to use.
Pro-audio Equipment
When it comes to professional audio equipment Focusrite simply lead the world.
The original Red range of products have an almost legendary status in the professional recording sector. Therefore when asked to move the design language forward to both present new technologies and excite both existing and new audio engineers alike, a considered balance was essential.
RedNet is the result. The flagship range maintains an honest 'nod' to its heritage alongside a clean, logical and future proof interface.
Working with an established audio expert this premium speaker system showcases a revolutionary new recording and playback technology.
This unique family of audiophile products deliver a truly faithful, lifelike sound embodied by the purity and precision of milled Cararra marble and horn technologies.
With the project currently in development our client remains confidential. If you are in the recording industry, a musician, equipment manufacturer or investor and are intrigued to know more just let us know and we’ll put you in touch directly.
Jink: a sudden, nimble change of direction.
Sitting still is simply not natural for us especially in a busy, collaborative workspace; the smallest movement of the lower spine can aid focus and allows for a more comfortable sit. The minimal rock gives the user just the right amount of ‘fidget’ movement without conscious rocking or becoming a plaything. People will sit however they feel most comfortable, Jink gives the option of side saddle or straddling.
The fluid, single graphic line provides the rock, two grab handles and also protects the seat form from everyday abuse.
The design enables space efficient nesting, allowing the user to move and store Jink single handed whilst carrying their latte and phablet!
The international housewares brand, Joseph Joseph commissioned Ratio to focus on toilet cleaning as part of a project developing a new range of bathroom accessories.
A range of innovative brush concepts were generated challenging the conventional format, materials and storage in order to create a more space efficient footprint & improved usage experience, for what is typically one of the households least favourite cleaning chores.
Supporting Joseph Joseph and as part of a wider design team a hugely successful range was brought to market.
View the range at here
Consumer Electronics
Living Control manufacture media distribution and control systems for residential installations.
We were asked to establish a new visual language for the next generation of digital controllers. The honest, contemporary look utilised capacitive touch technology, creating a distinctively different interface with enhanced functionality & additional user features.
The optional rack mount ears were considered from the start integrating with the defined split line which conceals an extraction feature to enable the fascia removal for internal access without having to remove the entire product.
Installation Tool
We were asked to design and supply production volumes for an installation tool used in conjunction with the IQ®4 control hardware. Part cabinet key, part pliers for extracting terminal connectors the product was tooled and moulded in the UK within a matter of weeks.
On behalf of Trend we completed all stages from the initial concepts, prototyping, engineering, costing, manufacture, delivery & promotional packaging design, ahead of schedule!
The high quality multi-tool reflects the Trend brand values and is fast becoming the treasured item in the toolboxes of electrical engineers throughout Europe.
Consumer Electronics
PURE, the world’s leading manufacturer of wireless music and internet radio systems asked us to create a number of new product concepts over the years.
Twilight
The simple, friendly form is both highly tactile and stable in use. Intuitive controls were a key consideration for the bleary eyed user. Touching the glass lamp diffuser itself controls light levels, whilst the generously proportioned, instantly visible switches for the alarm clock and DAB radio make waking up a dream!
Contour
The distinctive form of the Contour DAB/Dock is now recognised around the world, establishing the identity for a number of evolutionary products.
Sirocco
The Sirocco 150 was the world's first DAB micro system to gain the Apple 'works with iPhone' certification, whilst the larger 550 delivered features and performance not typically associated with micro systems.
As a start-up venture, Andersen was looking to create a premium domestic charge point for electric vehicles.
In a growing market with over stylised plastic enclosures expected to be mounted in prominent domestic locations Ratio questioned the suitability and relevance of the commonplace ‘appliance’ aesthetic. This led to establishing the more premium industrial design DNA that would differentiate the company offer.
The long charging cable is an unfortunate requirement that needed to be addressed, Ratio worked on the development of a number of concepts that catered for the storage of tethered handsets to eliminate mess and improve safety.
A simple brand identity and design guides for a range of networking hardware created for Habitech.
Media Servers
Evolve Media combine the latest digital media server technology with British Hi-Fi engineering.
We created a unique product design language that commands attention whilst maintaining a simple, enduring sophistication. A distinctive product DNA that could translate across the range of differing product sizes was key.
We supplied all manufacturing data, staying involved through to part inspection and production snagging. Working with specialist manufacturing companies in the UK the product range is built and finished to the highest standards.
The companys brand identity was also established, featuring a simple wordmark that could be precision milled directly into each fascia.
Secure integrated hardware design and development engineering for a specialist manufacturer.
Projects remain confidential.
Consumer Electronics
NScessity pride themselves on manufacturing and distributing some of the most innovative baby and nursery products available on the high street today.
The company needed to differentiate their product offer from the increasing volume of lower quality imports. We were asked to evaluate the company’s brand positioning and market trends in order to create a new product design language for the latest nursery monitor.
We established both a practical and 'lifestyle' look that strikes the aesthetic balance between homewares, domestic technology and nursery products. The purity of the digital camera monitor gives the product an honesty which is easy to use and suited both in and out of the nursery environment.
Concept DAC separates for the UK Audio brand.
The digital audio consumer and traditional Hi-Fi separate market are in flux. The unique, stand alone product form was driven by the prominence of the large display and the reduced operational needs of the listener.
Esterline Corporation is a specialised manufacturing company serving principally aerospace and defence markets.
Ratio were commissioned to design and engineer a bench mounted fixture for the test and calibration of high performance headset systems.
Hi-Fi Separates
Myryad have an enviable track record for creating audiophile solutions which have received unprecedented levels of acclaim from critics around the world.
We designed and engineered the flagship MX Series consisting of twelve units, including CD & DVD Players, Tuners, Amplifiers and Multi-Channel Surround Processors. Since launch in 2004 the range has won numerous industry awards and has continued to increase sales across global markets.
Engineering Services
Cove Industries manufacture specialised enclosures for industrial and defense customers.
For a number of years we have supplied a 'back-end' mechanical engineering service, developing CAD information for manufacture.
Public Environment Products
ChargeBox is the world's leading secure mobile charging station.
We were asked to develop and engineer their new locker products for manufacture. The supply of detailed component data, assembly information and manufacturing liaison meant that prototypes and volume product were manufactured correctly first time and on time.
Office Products
Rexel is the world’s market leader in office products.
We were asked to breathe new life into their long established Agenda desk accessory range, where an edge was required in a very competitive sales climate.
The Agenda2 range introduced a contemporary style to familiar items such as letter trays, document sorters & magazine files. Designed in 2003 the range continues to sell consistently well throughout European markets today.
Consumer Electronics
Strategic design for one of the worlds most respected brands. We created a distinctive product design language which would translate across a range of domestic electronics.
The personal video recorder shown has a sculpted underside in order to create a more tactile touchpoint when subscribing users first extract the product from the shipping box.
The product aims to humanise the technological intelligence yet communicate this in a way that reflects the Virgin brand. We did this by utilising a small Oled display in order to speak clearly and directly to the user, allowing this to be delivered with a cheeky ‘Virgin wink’.
Hospitality Equipment
Having manufactured hospitality equipment for over 125 years Lawrence Metal Products was the premium brand in the U.S. for hospitality fixtures.
AdapterShield is a modular foodshield system for use at any location where food is served over a counter. Unique in the marketplace the die-cast components offer the end user maximum flexibility whilst allowing easy dealer specification & simple installation.
We designed and engineered the system from research, concepts, prototyping, testing and patents through to manufacture.
Musaic is a music system designed to deliver exceptional sound quality. Smart speakers work with your Wi-Fi so you can stream music around your home in true HiFi quality.
Following the release of the company's first range Ratio was commissioned to create a smart speaker for the home. Focussed on innovative software & minimal controls, the portable product was designed around the limitations of existing internal components.
Introducing a 'pinch' to what is a quiet, simplistic body shape provides a unique 'grabable' form for the occasional movement, improves stability, & pronounced top face for touch interaction.
Ratio also developed the Musaic brand identity.
On-wall Touch Control Panel
Flow is a precision milled aluminium mounting kit for an Android powered device that allows your digital world to be controlled throughout the house.
Within extremely tight installation constraints the innovative assembly allows for the panel to be offset from its mounting horizontally or vertically to avoid door frames and other switches within typical retro-fit environments.
Public Environment Products
Globally know for their retractable queue barriers, Tensator's public environment products have extensive international markets. We supported Tensator's own design and engineering department for a number of years, collaborating on a wide variety of NPD projects, including kiosks, queue barriers, merchandising accessories and displays.
From product strategy and client pitch ideation to engineering support, we helped develop and maintain the companies design led approach.
Both workplace and hospitality markets require charging solutions that are both advantageous to the user and convenient for the provider.
The demands of agile workspaces, educational environments and more robust hospitality interiors often fall down when offering this service flexibility.
This rechargeable battery concept allows convenient, reconfigurable access to USB power. Charged overnight, the Silo locks flush within in a bezel that can be retro-fitted to any surface with a standard hole saw.
Studio concept © Ratio
Medical Equipment
Diomed is the pioneer of the surgical diode laser. We were asked to design a new product that combined the functionality of two existing instruments into one truly portable laser, for use in hospitals and private clinics around the world.
Following user research and product architecture trials the solution was a product that improved the surgical procedure and conveyed a reassuring quality and presence for both the physician and patient.
Unifying and concealing the plethora of required warning labels to one that can be hidden when not in use was one of the product features that helped reduce the patients fear factor of this equipment!
Office Furniture & Accessories
Over many years we have generated numerous office furniture concepts and systems for use within flexible work environments.
Large and small, these product concepts remain confidential at this time. The product proposals can be viewed by partnering manufacturers via the BuyDesign platform or contact us direct for more details.
