Design Ambassador
It was a fulfilling time with some interesting clients, ranging from “the sublime to the ridiculous”. However, the role did have its low points, as Blair recalls: “I was asked to prepare a bespoke car for Sir Clive Woodward in celebration of his success on bringing the Rugby World Cup back to England, emblazoned with St George’s Crosses and congratulatory messages. As a Scotsman, that hurts!”
Fourteen months later – fully recovered from the ‘St George’s Cross’ experience – Blair moved to Dyson Appliances. During this time he worked on a wide range of projects, including their iconic vacuum cleaners and bladeless fans. Leading a team of up to nine at any one time, he managed a wide range of product assemblies which included the administration of CAD, costing and design work. His most recent work was in hand drying technologies which have been awarded several patents.
Aside from taking a leading role in product development, a large part of Blair’s work included launch events. Dealing with scrutinising media professionals, not just in the UK but all over the world, meant the role wasn’t for the faint-hearted. One of Blair’s most daunting moments came when he was filmed live in front of an audience of 800 at the Euro Space Centre in Redu, Belgium. He was asked to present a case study on the development of a new Dyson product and had to do some quick thinking whilst being interviewed in French.
It’s Blair’s enthusiasm for getting stuck in and conveying his passion for engineering design – regardless of the potential barriers – that will serve him well in his new role. Unable to take a sabbatical, he has now left his position at Dyson – a job he “hugely enjoyed” – to become Design Ambassador. So what attracted this high-flyer to the role?
“I’ve always been inspired by the attitudes and work of those around me and enjoyed enthusing others in return,” he explains. “So when the opportunity of taking on the Design Ambassador post came along, I felt like I could offer something to the IED and the design engineering community at large.”
As Design Ambassador, Blair will be promoting the Institution and engineering design as a career alongside Education and Training Manager Judith Grace in visits to universities and businesses.
“The idea is to impress upon current students 15
From left: Russell Winchester, Blair Hutton and Simon Vaitkevicius
why they should consider pursuing a career in design engineering and, for those who already are, the importance of continuous professional development towards professional registration,” says Blair.
The diary is filling up fast with presentations, exhibitions and dozens of other events. “Largely, I’ll be touring the country speaking to anyone who’ll listen, and some who might not! Already I have appointments from Cornwall to Scotland and everywhere in between, so am going to be no stranger to train stations, motorways and the occasional hotel.
“There are also a number of student prizes and membership certificates to present, so I’m looking forward to meeting the recipients to congratulate them in person and learn about their achievements.”
Blair has been busy drafting and tailoring presentation materials for his audiences, calling on the vast experience of his extensive network of contacts, which includes many IED members and former colleagues. On the subject of networks, Blair’s career highlights include rubbing shoulders with some of design’s greatest ‘heroes’, from Ian Callum and the late Geoff Lawson, to Trevor Bayliss and Sir James Dyson. As Design Ambassador, he will go on to meet and inspire many future design luminaries.
“Since taking on the position I’ve had so many
ideas, so I have a few initiatives up my sleeve to excite people about what we do. I want people to realise the ‘buzz’ that is to be had in solving problems and seeing products through from initial idea to final completion.
“Already I have met a lot of inspiring people from a diverse range of areas and positions and been infected with the enthusiasm with which they go about their business. To me, seeing students realise their ideas has to be one of the most satisfying sights to behold.”
With Ambassador Blair in the driving seat, the ‘buzz’ around engineering design will be difficult to avoid.
When the opportunity of taking on the
Design Ambassador post came along, I felt like I could offer something to the IED and the design engineering community at large
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