journal is a product design specialist based in Auckland, new Zealand
offering access for Kiwis looking to innovate & export
journal design process
a process as simple as x y z
industrial design & product development
the mission is to make it simple.
enable kiwis to have both good design, as well as access to producing products.
journal bridges the pathway to market, streamlining the process in product design, development & production.
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research & development is second nature.
bring beautiful products to market quickly with minimal capital investment.
create functional, desirable products that align with clients' goals.
hands-on R&D process empowers entrepreneurs and businesses with an edge in innovation and exceptional aesthetic results.
development process educates clients on design strategies.
precise timeframes, accurate product cost estimates & light engineering development from day one, offering a clear roadmap to market.
experience in producing repeatable components and assembled products, along with a strong network of suppliers, offers clients a variety of manufacturing options.
produce high-standard prototypes, gives clients confidence from the earliest project stages.
prototypes of shelf quality, providing a clear vision of the final product.
utilises advanced & precision in-house technology to enable high-quality prototyping of products, from specialist polishing to precision CNC cutting & durable surface coatings.
prototyping ability links the design process with the finished, factory-produced good, through a high standard of sampling.
focus on customer-centric product innovations, enables the manufacturing of products both locally and offshore, targeting various price points and production volumes.
Design
x
+ design strategy
+ concept design
+ innovation & positioning
+ finished prototypes
+ initial rrp estimates
Develop
y
+ R&D engineering
+ aesthetic styling
+ technology incorporation
+ functional prototyping
+ component costing
produce
z
+ design for manufacture
+ establish suppliers
+ mass to bespoke volumes
+ quality control
+ production
Specialty services
click each service to see more about this speciality
a specialist set of services with extensive experience in form design, specialised finishing & precision manufacturing,
strategy
Concept Design
Prototyping
3D cad Modelling
research & development
Manufacturing
a client success story
“it was so pivotal for us. setting that aesthetic, setting that design-driven mindset for the product. ”
- luke sinclair,FTN Motion founder
journal has designed for
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Small businesses looking to develop proprietary products that build brand identity and meet market needs.
Typical Services: Initial research, concept development, design sketches, CAD modeling, 3D printed prototypes, supplier sourcing, production management, and ongoing design updates to support unique product development goals.
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Seeking groundbreaking industrial design to match their innovation, align with brand vision, and prepare for market entry and investment opportunities.
Typical Services: Market and product research, visual design concepts, styling recommendations, user-centered design improvements, functionality-focused concept sketches, suggestions for innovative construction, and 3D CAD modeling.
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Seeking to develop the next iconic product, focusing on the details of every fit and finish; creating designs that resonate with customers through function-driven, high-quality craftsmanship.
typical services: Detailed CAD geometry, technical drawings, precision CNC insights, advanced assembly techniques (press-fit, thread fitting, undercuts), and premium surface finishing across various materials. Unique insights into high-end manufacturing position these products as potential timeless icons.
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Requiring original design language for consumer electronics & appliances.
Typical Services: In-depth design for injection-molded components, assembly of multiple materials, specialized branding, and high-end, touch-sensitive prototypes that align seamlessly with product technology for quality-driven, consumer-focused markets.
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Creating contemporary aesthetics that blend tradition and timeless proportions for high-value, bespoke goods in precious metals or unique wearables.
typical services: Advanced CAD modeling for custom jewelry, precise engineering for gemstone settings, optimization for bespoke manufacturing processes, and innovative design solutions for refined aesthetics and brand elevation in the luxury market.
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High-quality modular solutions designed for production flexibility, suitable for retail experiece & challenging outdoor environments.
Typical Services: High-end modular design, local production solutions, supplier collaboration, and innovative installation methods that ensure durability and ease of assembly.
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FMCG packaging, and objects of desire to enhance brand differentiation.
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Large corporates seeking design-thinking solutions for physical product workflows, aiming to solve recurring issues and reduce operational costs.
Typical Services: Task and user analysis, workflow assessment, concept development, visualization, rapid prototyping, and local production for low-volume fabrication to streamline operations.
Certified & recognised Innovation
journal is recognised as a Research & Development specialist by the New Zealand ird.
ensuring your innovative projects are supported by a certified R&D partner, giving your ideas the expertise & recognition they deserve.
design & innovation examples
design honoring tradition
example: Created a high-end kava bowl featuring a detachable inner section, honoring traditional practices while ensuring ease of maintenance.
Goal: develop a unique kava bowl with an aesthetic fit for a museum, able to be manufactured in quantities of 50
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design & category: contemporary design, local production, design with cultural sensitivity
innovation: removable bowl - with kava bowls either being cut from a solid block of timber, or piece of injection molded plastic, this solution provides a sanitary method to preserve the bowl, while avoiding damaging the wood.
claims: made the client locally famous
journal set out to challenge the market & provide a high end solution, produced at limited edition volumes & answering to a contemporary market, honouring the ethics & etiquette of kava drinking
quietly crafted
example: we partnered with FTN Motion to design the original Streetdog electric bike, formalising a distinct aesthetic with minimalistic lines, surfaces & user innovations.
goal: Establish a signature visual identity for the electric motorcycle through the use of essential lines and streamlined surfaces
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design & catergory: automotive design, organic form work, component engineering, design thinking
innovation: designing the original bike with the founders
Claims: many consumers prefer motorbike aesthetics to electric bikes, however the form factor of streetdog won over the hearts of petrol headsjournal’s original concept designs gave the founders of ftn the design ammunition they needed.
with an original form factor, they spent two years developing a physical working bike with.
from this they gained initial traction, customers & millions in capital investment.journal's input carved the design direction of the bike’s visual shape. the distilled simplicity in the design of the bike has turned it into an icon on the new zealand roads, enjoyed by many, driven by few.
this architecture of simplicity brought to life an innovative solution for a new electric bike company to shift the industry.
the innovative minimal layout & unique architecture influenced the development of the bike & aided ftn with a stronger competitive advantage.
using clean, horizontal lines from seat to the front edge, angled parallel space for the storage area & combining it with symmetric space for the area that the battery compartment now fits.
journal also created overall controllable dimensional 3d data & also 3d form data of the bike, for FTN to utilise, which streamlined workflows between engineers for iterative development on the geometry of the bikes early batches of 100. 3d geometry of the chassis are seamlessly connected to the surfaces on the bodywork, to enable immediate updates to major surfaces, dimensions & all assembly parts.
this electric vehicle is equipped with new sustainable technology, ftn & it's founders have drawn capital investment in the millions.
simplifying a classic
example: Developed an innovative hidden clasp design, seamlessly incorporated into the bracelet to maintain its sleek appearance.
Goal: Design a minimalist clasp solution that reduces visual impact while maintaining functionality.
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design & category: design for precious metals & materials
innovation: concealed clasp, integrated within castings built through detailed CAD assembly
claims: minimal clasp footprint, highly unique subtle detail for the market
an innovative solution, resulting in a fine, concealed clasp, almost completely eliminating the footprint of standard tennis bracelet clasp sizes
devil in the detail
example: Designed a minimal form factor featuring an ergonomic vertical sliding actuator. earning multiple international awards, including a Purple & Gold Pin at the Best Awards, an iF Design Award, and an Australian Good Design Award.
Goal: Design a minimalistic full metal shower handset that can be manufactured efficiently with reduced labor, imperfections & is modular to proliferate into future product ranges.
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design & category: design concepts & prototypes, development alongside engineering & production, sanitary industry, challenging the industry on material selection, sustainable production
innovation: ergonomic vertical sliding actuator controls precise spray water mechanics inside tube to head, single tubular architecture with 13 internal components, which can be adapted to fit new spray head designs to proliferate the product innovation
Claims: methven received a purple & gold pin the best awards, if design award & Australian good design award for vjet, as well as an international patentthe sanitary industry is built around brass tapware & mostly plastic injection molded handsets.
this product came to it’s commercial viability from a ‘made in metal’ prototype that caught the eye of a senior mechanical engineer while developing the internal technology, taking this prototype architecture & his technology through to production.
example: Developed timepiece collections with precision engineering and customizable aesthetics, intended to last generations.
goal: design timeless watch collections that fit under a distinctive brand design language.
to last a century
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design & category: precision manufacturing, consumer, bespoke design, product family design language
innovation: three sizes, with bespoke colour & metal selection
Claims: to outlive the wearermechanical watch product family with fine surface finishing with the ability to integrate precious metals & custom offerings.
a touch of heritage
example: New Zealand’s largest waterproof, hinge-mounted outdoor clock with GPS functionality and bespoke tailorability.
goal: Develop a timepiece that enhances public spaces with its design .
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design category: complex fabrication, commercial institutions, fine metal work (clock hands), detailed decal application
innovation: anti-theft, hinge mounted, designed to be individually branded for enterprise
Claims: the largest waterproof, hinge mounted clock in New Zealandextra large outdoor waterproof clock, with GPS functionality & complete bespoke tailorability with high end materials & finishing. developed with innovative mounting system to be anti theft & last any weather.
better with less
example: Developed a structural integrated hinge capable of spanning any length, providing a seamless solution for pool covers.
Goal: Create an innovative hinge solution that minimizes material usage and freight costs while maintaining functionality.
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design & category: sustainable product design, design for installation, design in mind for international freight, innovation: metal material reduction of 90% compared to competitors, Reducing freight costs incomparibly, improving installation speed & able to manufactured with ease
Claims: a patented solutionstructural integrated hinge units can span across any length being mounted 1m a part, they provide a concealed hinge to hide the pool cover, where the lid is timber, concrete or tile to integrate into the surround pool.
about
clients have organically approached journal to design their products, recognising products worked on through Paceracer watches to the FTN motion cafe racer.
some of the products designed through journal & for other businesses, are made in the 100’s of thousands, & others to last 100+ years.
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established by Brett Band, a watch designer & ex-professional skateboarder.
brett’s career as an industrial designer & creative director has been multifaceted. designing internationally-awarded products to patented inventions used everyday.
through a clear & methodical process, clients often gain further insight on overall design methodology which brings longterm benefits.
brett additionally brings knowledge from first-hand experience with his business paceracer, building strong relationships with each client.
having individually designed & crafted hundreds of mechanical watches for paceracer clients across New Zealand, new technology is continually pulled in to improve & streamline the production process.
Beyond his design career, Brett's background as a professional skateboarder honed a creative eye, influenced by the film & photography culture.
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