Loughborough Design School

EvoShape design software is launched

7 November 2011

Evoshape is an innovative new CAD tool that generates and evolves original styling concepts. Early trials suggest EvoShape can trigger inspiration and creativity, enable the rapid evolution of unique styling concepts, and reduce the time between concept generation and digital modelling. Interactive and highly intuitive, it can also be used by clients and end-users directly, creating the possibility of uniquely desirable customised products.

EvoShape is currently being developed at Loughborough University’s Design School by Dr Ian Graham. It is based on the disruptive technology created during his doctoral research in Interactive Evolutionary Design, which was also carried out at Loughborough (in the Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering).

Funding from EPSRC’s Knowledge Transfer Account and the University’s Enterprise Project Group (both managed by the Enterprise Office) is enabling an intense 16 month programme of market research, targeted software development and publicity, involving:

• The development of an intuitive touch-screen user-interface, unlocking the technology and enabling demonstration to potential users, investors and other stakeholders.
• User-testing and market research with 10 collaborating design companies, recruited through the Design Leicestershire initiative.
• Prioritised product development based on the initial and on-going user-testing.
• Recruitment of further UK design companies, in order to build a lead-user network, providing a strong voice in the marketplace, as we move towards commercialisation:
  • The Alloy
  • Kinneir Dufort
• Creation of two conceptual design case studies with a professional designer, showcasing EvoShape and providing eye catching images and engaging design stories.
• Continued publicity and marketing activities, building corporate networks in the CAD and related industries.
• The launch of a credible software brand on the world stage.

Siemens PLM Connection 2011 Europe (Linz, Austria, 17^th-19^th October) was selected as the launch event, as EvoShape currently runs within Siemens’ high-end CAD system ‘NX’, and Siemens PLM are commercial advisors on the current phase of the project. The reaction from both the business and design sectors was excellent, highlights including the opportunity to demonstrate EvoShape to a Siemens PLM Product Manager, and the recruitment of two international design partners:

• Xform, Italy
• Consolidate Container Company, Atlanta

The EvoShape website was also launched during the event, and has attracted 7500 hits in its first 2 weeks.