Having created a design strategy and new branding, it was important to tackle the redesign of Harrison Fisher’s products.
‘We thought design was important but we did not have a relationship with a good designer, so we were a bit homemade,’ says Harrison Fisher Managing Director Alastair Fisher
What the company needed was some up-and-coming talent on board. Design mentor Jonathan Ball explains: ‘We wanted a signature designer - someone like Phillipe Starck - but didn't want the signature to overwhelm the brand.
'We were looking for a designer who was thoughtful and capable and whose work would reflect Harrison Fisher's values.’ Following a paid competitive selection process the company commissioned designer Sam Hecht, who works for, among others, Muji.
Designer Profile: Sam Hecht, Industrial Facility
Born London 1969
Graduated Royal College of Art 1993
Experience IDEO 1994-2002
Awards RIBA emerging architecture award - 2002
Business Co-founded Industrial Facility with Kim Colin
EventSam Hecht will be "In conversation" at the Design Museum on 15 September.
Find out more
Hecht's proposal was a natural continuation of the Harrison Fisher style, reflecting the company's heritage while still remaining contemporary.‘The reason we chose Sam was because he had thought more deeply about the project than the other designers. That’s why his proposal was closer to what we wanted – despite the fact that we didn’t really know what we wanted!’ says Fisher.
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The product development process described.
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The new range and brand have also helped the company move towards becoming an independent consumer brand name with its own sophisticated, design-led products, rather than being predominantly an 'own-brand' supplier. ‘Ultimately,’ Fisher says, ‘I want to be in a position where if the retailers don't want us to do private label it's not a crisis.’
The company has also recently worked with Sheffield-based industrial design consultancy AME, to produce a stylish, easy to use can opener called Pelican.
Design agency profile: ame design
Sheffield based
ame design is currently one of the largest product development companies in the UK outside London. Its 12 person strong design team works on projects across an increasing range of disciplines including industrial design, product design, graphics and web design
