Tuesday 3rd June 2025
Product Design Scotland, a network managed by Technology Scotland, today announced the appointment of a new Chair and Vice Chair.
Technology Scotland is pleased to announce that Tristan Elliott, Partnerships Director at i4 Product Design (i4PD) has been appointed Chair of its Product Design Scotland Network.
Tristan is a Director of one the most established product design agencies in Scotland where he has been responsible for the company’s growth strategy and has worked in product development for 15 years. Prior to moving to Scotland and joining i4PD, he worked in London and Australia within the life sciences sector for consultancies offering regulatory support for medical products.
In addition, Abi Hird, Founder and Director at Defankle Innovation, will assume the role of Vice Chair of the network.
Abi Hird is founder of Defankle Innovation, a consultancy working at the intersection of design, strategy, and technology. With a background in product design and systems engineering, and a design career spanning academia, the public sector, and industry, she brings a practical, inclusive approach to helping technology organisations design more innovative and effective products and systems.
Alastair McInroy, CEO, Technology Scotland, said, “The appointment of Tristan and Abi represents an exciting new phase for Product Design Scotland. The Scottish Government has recognised that Scotland underperforms in our efforts to convert research excellence into commercial impact. Under the guidance of our new Chairs, Product Design Scotland will promote and instil the value of good design towards successful commercialisation and link our innovators and entrepreneurs to the excellent design capability available locally in Scotland.”
Tristan Elliott, said, “I am looking forward to using my experience in the design sector and networks across the UK to champion the extensive capabilities of design agencies within in Scotland and the value these companies can build into the products they collaborate with their clients on. i4 Product Design and others in the PDS network have truly world class design and engineering talent and I’m continually surprised by how much of a secret this is to companies across the UK. My goal for the next two years is to raise the profile of all agencies so we can grow this sector and achieve the successful commercialisation of more impactful products as a nation.”
Abi Hird, said, “Good design is what gets ideas out of labs and into real life. I’m delighted to take on the role of Vice Chair at such a pivotal time for product design and technology in Scotland. There’s incredible talent and potential here, and I’m excited to help build awareness of the power of design, while also building a stronger, more connected ecosystem: one that champions innovation, inclusive design, and world-class capability across our technology sectors.”
About Product Design Scotland
Product Design Scotland was established to grow the product design sector in Scotland and link Scotland’s design capabilities with the wider technology ecosystem, both locally and abroad. The network aims to raise awareness of the critical importance of design to our future innovation ambitions, supporting successful commercialisation of our world leading research and development capabilities. The groups primary goals are to:
PROMOTE Scottish capability in product design and the value of design within the critical technologies sector.
FACILITATE wider collaboration within the local design ecosystem, including universities, industry, design consultancies, manufacturers, testing houses, incubators, etc.
EDUCATE the wider innovation ecosystem as to the critical importance of instilling good design processes and principles when navigating the innovation to commercialisation journey.
ENGAGE with key stakeholders and policy makers to ensure that the value of design is recognised in our wider ambition to be one of the most innovative small counties in the world.