Design - Model Makers Bristol / Amalgam Model Making

Spy in the Wild animatronic cameras

April 15, 2020

Spy in the Wild series two is now available on iPlayer. If you are a fan of wildlife programmes you have probably already seen it, but did you know that some of the amazing animatronics featured in the show were developed and produced by Amalgam? We had to keep the secret for a very long time, but now, John Downer Productions, the company behind the series, have allowed us to tell the world about our involvement in producing some of the spy creatures that were key to capturing a unique view of nature.

Ultrahaptics exhibition display

April 30, 2018

Next-generation interactive technology for Ultrahaptics exhibition display

Technical 3D design for a high impact display

April 3, 2018

When a new product is ready for the big reveal, a large scale in-store display often works to grab attention and get people talking, which we talked about for premium brands. To create a high impact display, it’s often the technical detail which matters most – looking at how the display is made, and what structural support or suspension points it needs – to be congruent with the design.

Concept design and prototyping for Valentine’s Day integrated / POS campaign

February 13, 2018

To develop a successful in-store campaign, a marketing team has to coordinate many elements to ensure shoppers experience the same message everywhere.

A physical anchor or theme helps to make the words more memorable and connect with the audience. For their Valentine’s Day gift range, diamond jewellery brand, Forevermark, chose the iconic hot air balloon to symbolise their “True love is unstoppable” message.

Creating premium brand displays: here to make you look good

December 1, 2017

Premium brand displays in store have a mysterious appeal. Done well, the mix of quality and exclusivity inspires us to spend more because it feels good. Behind the scenes, we know a lot of work goes into product innovation, developing the brand, premium props, designing spaces and creating visual merchandising. Wow-factor premium brand displays are a blend of creative concepts and excellent delivery, just like any project. To deliver it successfully, you have to stretch the budget and time across both design and build quality, although it can become skewed by one premium prop or bespoke design. At Amalgam, we're here to make you look good, with our tips for creating your premium point-of-sale display: Share your plans early When exploring concepts, your team will have plenty of ideas - whether working with a creative director or agency, retail designer, shop fitter or specialist prop makers. The earlier you can share…

Prototyping your idea? How to protect your intellectual property

August 17, 2017

When you’ve got a new idea that needs prototyping, or want to adapt a product design, you’ll need to consider the potential intellectual property issues during the development and prototyping process. Thinking creatively about how to solve an immediate problem is often how the best ideas start out, and we’ve made many physical prototypes to help product designers, inventors, and technology experts bring their idea to life. Here’s our summary of steps for developing your design through to prototyping and guidance on how to protect your idea: Working with suppliers - arrange an NDA When you start looking for help and support, make sure you have an NDA in place. A non-disclosure agreement (NDA), whether written by a legal team or derived from a template, gives both parties an understanding of the confidential nature of the work. If you are discussing your design or new idea, keep the number of people…

The New Crystal Maze props and replicas

June 23, 2017

Amalgam was extremely pleased to be asked to work on key props for the new TV version of the Crystal Maze which starts this Friday at 9pm on Channel 4. We were asked by James Dillon, who was the designer on the original early nineties TV show, to produce the Crystal Dome Timer Table as well as a large prop for an extra special one off episode to be shown later this year! We designed the table in 3D CAD software, CNC cut the panels then finished it using a variety of textures and paints to match photos of the original, supplied by James. The program was filmed here in Bristol at the Bottleyard studios not far from Amalgam's workshop. Amalgam offers a one stop shop for prop buyers, film makers & other media in the local area and rest of the UK, offering our services and resources to those in need of…

Exhibit design services to ignite your product launch

January 21, 2016

Exhibit design, display models and trade show stands can make a huge difference to the successful launching of a new product. Even a remarkably innovative and marketable design could go unnoticed if it isn’t given appropriate promotion, to grab a busy audience’s attention, at the right moment. In this case study we look at a project that came about in a collaborative effort between EF Engineering and Amalgam Model making. EF Engineering provides show finishing services to Perkins to display their diesel engines. John Knight from EF Engineering, and Chris Conlon had been in contact since early in 2015, discussing opportunities to collaborate on new exhibit designs displaying Perkin’s engines. Q1. What were the challenges faced by the team building the exhibition stand? CHRIS (Amalgam director and project manager): Perkins was looking for a way to make an impact on the agricultural engineering market through original exhibit design for…

Recycling Displays at RWM 2015 – educational interactives and resources

September 16, 2015

Recycling Displays visits RWM to spread the word on developing educational interactives and resources Recycling Displays representatives Will Sheer and Rob Mackay are at RWM at the NEC in Birmingham this week, promoting our range of educational interactives, games and new products in the pipeline. Recycling Displays has been working for over twenty years to support education about recycling and waste management. Our experience has shown that children are mainly learning from their parents' example at home - so Recycling Displays has been exploring how to improve the level of engagement for reducing and re-using our waste through their education. We believe children and young people need a greater understanding of issues affecting sustainable production of food (packaging) and manufacture of products (materials), if they are to use that knowledge in their working lives and positively influence the future. So we are seeking feedback about the support teachers and educational settings…

User Experience and Interactive Models. to educate,entertain and inform

July 23, 2015

Most of the models we create are display pieces or prototypes for a variety of different industries - architecture, marine, product design and so on. Physical models have consistently proven themselves to be invaluable assets when developing and testing new designs, engaging with other people or communicating ideas. A static display model is a proven tool to draw in the audience, however, an interactive model becomes a powerful component in creating a memorable user experience. Interactive models can be used to achieve a number of goals, including: - COMMUNICATING COMPLEX PROCESSES TO THE UNINITIATED - TESTING OR MARKETING A NEW IDEA, ENGAGING WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTS - BRANDING, CEMENTING A BRAND IDENTITY AND CREATING AWARENESS Complex Processes On an individual basis, placing a user in a narrative - such as a game - allows new information to be processed easily, and can be an enjoyable user…