Millions To ‘Inspect A Gadget’ Created By Derby Student
14 April 2008
Roderick Gritten, BSc (Hons) Design Technology student (left) with The Gadget Show Presenter, Jason Bradbury.
The USB Gadget badge design.
A design technology student who has delivered on a model-making challenge for a primetime TV show will have his creation unveiled to millions of viewers later this month.
Channel Five hit show The Gadget Show invited University of Derby student Roderick Gritten to design and build a USB badge designed for children to create a pen drive that could also be used as a fashion accessory.
The idea was inspired by the show’s presenter Jason Bradbury. Roderick travelled to the presenter’s Lincoln home to carry out filming for the show.
The programme, now in its eighth series, will be aired on 21 April, at 8pm. Roderick, 23, lives at the University’s Peak Court halls of residence, where he is also a residential assistant, and his family is from the Norfolk village of Wroxham
He is a second year student studying BSc (Hons) Design Technology, based at the University’s £21m Markeaton Street site, opened last November by Virgin Atlantic president Sir Richard Branson.
Roderick said: "It was great to be involved in such a challenge and I’m really looking forward to the programme. I enjoy model-making and made things such as alarm clock radios and models of household appliances out of wood.
"To be chosen to take part in this challenge for The Gadget Show was a wonderful opportunity and the experience will stand me in good stead for my future career."
The opportunity came about after the programme’s producers contacted the University’s Programme Leader for Product Design Terry Watson, seeking a student who would be able to meet the challenge of creating a children’s USB gadget in just a week.
Terry said: "This has been a real opportunity for Rod to develop his talent as a designer, the tight timescale of the project reflects the reality of working in the high pressure design environment, Rod has shown the mix of creativity and practicality which is a hallmark of Product Design at Derby."
After receiving the brief, Roderick had to search out a suitable toy model, small enough to fit a USB board. He selected a Mega Blocks character.
The following stages involved:
- Carefully removing the head from the toy
- Fitting the replica USB pen inside the head
- Mounting a pin badge to the USB gadget
- Creating rapid prototyped housing to protect and contain a USB board
The USB gadget, with its model head would be attractive to children as it would be almost like a fashion accessory to place on bags, rucksacks and holdalls, and children can keep all of their favourite electronic files and music and perhaps homework on the badge.
A spokesman for The Gadget Show praised Roderick’s work and said: "I'd like to thank Rod for his speedy and professional work on a constantly evolving brief with a very tight deadline. His speed in producing his prototype model so quickly enabled us to push on with the next stage in time."
As well as watching the show on Channel Five later this month, you can read more about Roderick’s project and his other activities on his website at: www.rjgritten.wikidot.com.
Read more about The Gadget Show at gadgetshow.five.tv.
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For more information about this news release, contact Simon Butt, Press and PR Officer, on 01332 591891 or 07748 920023, or email: s.butt@derby.ac.uk.
This press release was written by Deputy Head of Press and PR Simon Redfern on 01332 591942, or email: s.redfern@derby.ac.uk.
