Chris McGinley

PhD Researcher

Chris McGinley is a graduate of the Royal College of Art and Imperial College's joint 'IDE' (Industrial Design Engineering) course, where he explored interactions within the home; how lighting, furnishing and household objects could be designed with intent, to enhance experience, independence and wellbeing. Prior to this he received a MEng from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, where he is originally from.

He then joined the Helen Hamlyn Centre for the proceeding five years, fine-tuning his understanding of Inclusive Design and how lives can be improved through designing for and with, real people. The projects he completed ranged from medication packaging for GlaxoSmithKline to cooker designs for Osaka Gas in Japan.

He is currently undertaking a PhD at the School of Engineering and Design in Brunel University, where he also tutors. His research is exploring the development of tools and techniques for 'human information' transfer to assist designers in gaining insight, inspiration and information about those they design for.

He recently held major research roles in two Design Council managed projects. The first explored hospital furniture design for the Department of Health, the second (in which he co-authored the publication 'Design Out Crime: Alcohol Insights') investigated drinks vessel design for the Home Office. The design outcomes were exhibited at the Design Museum and Design Council respectively.

Email: chris.mcginley@brunel.ac.uk