News: Gadget Show challenge is in the bag for Fripp Design

The skills of experts at Fripp Design and Research were given national exposure this week as they helped The Gadget Show presenter, Suzi Perry win the latest technology challenge in the Channel 5 programme.


North One TV, producers of the programme approached Fripp, located at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, to get involved with the design and manufacture of a unique and technologically advanced prototype security bag for the show.

The brief for the gadget bag was to produce a prototype messenger style hand bag with a series of devices built in to maintain the bag's security. The bag senses if it is moved beyond five metres from the owner, if it has been opened by anyone other than the owner, and alerts the owner to the absence of its contents. When it is alarmed it flashes lights, has an audible alarm and can even dispense a thick coloured smoke to draw attention to its location and the fact that it has been stolen.

The brief was ambitious and the Fripp team had a very short timescale in which to complete the work. They leapt into action developing the initial concept and used an array of services from their portfolio including Concept Design, Computer Aided Design and development prototyping, alongside a collaborative approach using local suppliers Practical Control and A.M.E Prototyping as well as Liverpool based MC Products.

Together they ensured the end prototype remained true to its concept, satisfying the brief and providing a visually strong, fully working product to suit the show's style.

Tom Fripp, managing director at Fripp Design and Research, said: "We all enjoyed working on the project with the team from Channel 5, and as with many of our projects it was exciting to manage such a technically challenging project.

"It was fun having Suzi Perry and the production team here for the morning; we were particularly pleased when they told us that this is one of the best prototypes they'd ever seen. The local collaborative approach to delivering the end prototype worked well and we hope to be working with the Gadget Show team on future projects too."

Fripp Design and Research is one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies. They doubled the workforce and turnover in 2010 and also significantly increased its customer base, adding well-known names such as B&Q, Boots, Balfour Beatty, The Wellcome Trust and Sheffield University to its portfolio.

In addition to client work, Fripp Design are involved in a number of in house product developments ranging from DIY to healthcare.

Fripp Design website
Gadget Show website

Images: Fripp Design