background
david lugton
AFTER working as a mechanical design draftsman-cadet engineer whilst studying Engineering part time and playing with open-wheel racing cars, David studied Industrial Design at RMIT.
After graduation, working for Robert Pataki at PA Technology he was involved in a wide variety of design projects including some award winning and iconic products.
Travelling to broaden his horizons saw an extended period of design work in radio electronics in Southern Africa and innovative modular construction systems in South Africa for US production. Here he was also instrumental in one of the southern hemisphere’s first 3D CAD design labs. David’s first lecturing experience followed at Art Center College of Design in Switzerland, teaching product design and modelling.
Returning to Australia, he commenced the Master of Design at RMIT University part time whilst working on designs for a number of patented security products for a local manufacturer. During this period he was lecturing in digital design at RMIT and helped set up the CAD lab there. A period working at the Centre for Design at RMIT investigated the use of design process for solving a particular issue in the Australian wool industry.
Upon graduation, David took over the post-graduate area of the Industrial Design program at RMIT. This led to a promotion to responsibility for all aspects of Industrial Design including the undergraduate program. At this time he led a philosophical shift of focus for administration of the area away from art/drawing to design/spatial processes. His creation of the (TAFE) Vehicle Modelling course allowed the Industrial Design area to offer courses from Certificate through to PhD.
A one year sabbatical in private industry became a design consultancy partnership employing recent graduates working for large and small local and international client base. Links were established in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
A natural dissolution of the partnership after four years led David to establish as an independent designer utilising project methods explored during his postgraduate work. Building on links in South East Asia, a broad range of design project work has been undertaken for medium size and start up companies. Protected intellectual property generation has been a key feature. Some work has been in conjunction with the Australian Productivity Council including government sponsored innovation training. Consulting work continues for the development of unique products from concept, through IP investigation to manufacturing and marketing.
Where possible, David offers assistance to designers starting out on their careers.
RACK STAND
Concealed within a universal carrier rack, a folding member is always available as a parking stand. The shape of the stand is intended to have a minimal visual impact on the bicycle, whilst providing a solid parking solution inmost cases. Designed to accommodate rear panniers.
FLEXX
As a footrest, Flexx self-adjusts to the leg height of the user to always place the feet at the correct distance from the floor to relieve the pressure under the thighs which is a major cause of circulatory problems caused by prolonged sitting. Flexx also acts as a resistance for dynamic leg exercise.
UNI LINK
Unique high strength roller blind and screen mounting system for large domestic and commercial multi curtain projects. Universal jointed drive allows flexibility of design for accommodating almost any window configuration. Integrates with automatic and remote control.
VARIETEE
Garden framing system for domestic and commercial horticulture. High strength hub supports shade and watering systems whilst allowing a wide variety of structural forms from simple home garden frames to large multi modal market gardening operations.
VARIETEE
Most golfers like to practice tee shots at a driving range, but fairway shots are more difficult to replicate due to the nature of hilly lies and bunkers. Varietee has an internal ramping mechanism that allows golfers to match the platform to the desired ground condition.
CONSTANT PRESSURE TRAINER
Prompted by the observation from users that bicycle home trainers cause noise, wear, heat and damage. Combining a compliant belt with a biased pivot chassis, the CPT constantly self adjusts, suiting all tyre types, compensating for tyre deformations and prevents overloading of the tyre contact patch.
PARKER
Provides parking for any size or style of pedal bicycle or E-Bike on almost any surface. Nearly all parking frames require parking from the rear wheel, but Parker uses the bike’s own mass to hold it steady from the front wheel. Lightweight and strong, it can be configured in other upright formats.
