University News Last updated 13 February 2013
Child locating whistles and retro-inspired gift sets for men are just some of the product concepts to be presented by budding entrepreneurs from Birmingham City University this week.
Students from three of the University’s Faculties - Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD), Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment (TEE) and Birmingham City Business School - took part in the project, named 'Think Shop' - a collaborative innovation programme aimed at providing students and graduates with the technical and productive skills needed for successful product development.
Working alongside renowned local firm, Acme Whistles, students were commissioned to develop their own product concepts for market at the University's Entrepreneur Store, located in Birmingham's Mailbox and are set to showcase their design concepts at the Think Shop launch event this Thursday 14 February.
Students developed their ideas at the Acme Whistles factory in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, allowing them the opportunity to immerse themselves in a real business and learn about their technical and productive skills, their customers and markets. Simon Topman, Chief Executive at Acme Whistles, said: “This has been a wonderful experience for Acme, not just for new ideas – innovative and entrepreneurial ideas – but watching as young aspiring students from various disciplines and backgrounds delved into the business to find new products with new markets that offer real commercial possibilities.”
Beverley Nielsen, Director Employer Engagement at Birmingham City University, commissioned the innovative approach, alongside visiting tutor Iain Acton and Acme Whistles, with the aim of providing not just practical product outcomes but fast learning curves for both organisations and the University's students. She said: “What's been different here is that our students have had the chance to look at developing new products by looking at the opportunities in a real business. This has meant generating fresh ideas but in addition having to apply these to a real market, real customers and a real business to deliver a very steep learning curve.”
The student's will present their design concepts at the Think Shop launch event at the Birmingham Made Me Store on Thursday 14 February with guest speakers including Senior Associate at Anthony Collins Solicitors, David Alcock and Business Consultant at Windsor High School and Sixth Form, Will Evans.