PDR
Research Centres & Groups
PDR: The National Centre for Product Design & Development Research
PDR is a multidisciplinary centre for product design and development. The award winning centre offers a complete service to industry from research and analysis through to design, prototyping, manufacture and launch.
The centre’s research team is made up of senior and junior researchers, research assistants and research students. The focus of this team is on research which reflects the strategic importance of the creative application of design and the design process in the development of new products, systems and methodologies.
As a result PDR has gained an enviable reputation for the development and transfer of design knowledge and expertise into industry. This is evidenced by the number of products produced (over 350) for a wide range of clients to include consumer products, automotive, medical and defence.
PDR gained a rating of 4 in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise.
Centre for Applied Reconstructive Technologies in Surgery (CARTIS)
In 2006, CARTIS was co–jointly established PDR and Swansea NHS Trust’s Maxillofacial Unit at Morriston Hospital.The two organisations have worked together closely, to pioneer the use of advanced product design and development technology in head and neck reconstruction and prosthetic rehabilitation.
The centre brings together the existing facilities and expertise of both Morriston’s Maxillofacial Unit and UWIC’s PDR, for the benefit of patients with diseases including cancer, face and jaw deformity, and injuries.
Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology Research Group (SCWT)
Launched in 2004, SCWT is a collaboration between PDR and the School of Art, Media & Design at the University of Wales, Newport, working to create the ’smart’ clothes of the future. The group looks at the role of wearable technology and how it can be deployed to create near market prototypes, examining motivations and commercial possibilities, in areas such as sport and fitness, corporate wear and inclusive design.Programme for Advanced Interactive Prototype Research (PAIPR)
PAIPR aims to empower the designer to design products and interfaces together, a task usually only performed by electronic engineers. We have developed a design methodology that links a PC to a model created by the designer via a hardware product called an IE Unit. This allows designers to accurately emulate complex computer-embedded products without in depth programming or electronics skills.
Amongst others PAIPR has worked with Sony Ericsson, Samsung Design Europe and Alloy Total Product Design.
If you would like to engage with PAIPR, please contact Steve Gill, Director of Research on +44(0)29 2041 6732.
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WIRAD: Wales Institute for Research in Art & Design
Launched in 2007, the new Institute combines the research activities of the Cardiff School of Art & Design (CSAD) and The National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR) at UWIC, and the School of Art, Media & Design (SAMD) at University of Wales Newport.
WIRAD aims to become Wales' premier Art & Design research institution and an internationally significant player in the Art & Design research field by building on the research excellence and talent that Wales possesses.
The founding partners scored 4 and 5 respectively in the last RAE and house between them a broad range of exciting and internationally leading research. The Institute operates an "open door" policy and plans to actively invite other Welsh Institutions to join with the aim of building a pan-Wales resource for Art & Design research.
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