“Although computers are now indispensable throughout the development process, we believe clay models are still essential for a hands-on evaluation of a design proposal"
Motorcycle design consultancy Xenophya Design has recently unveiled their new studio in the UK. As one of only a handful of consultancies in Europe who cater specifically for motorcycle design, the layout of this new facility has been designed around the services they provide. Located on a generic industrial estate surrounded by the Northumberland countryside in the North East of England, the building that holds Xenophya Design is relatively inconspicuous. The unit encompasses a design office, a conference room, a clay-modelling studio and a workshop with painting facilities. At full capacity the studio can accommodate a team of 15 designers/model makers. Mark Wells explains “We had to look long and hard to find new premises and create an interior layout that would reflect Xenophya's design process and values. We spend a lot of time in our studio so it has to be a nice working environment where we can do creative things. Our goal was to create an open well-lit working environment"
After being asked to leave your mobile phone in the conference room and signing a non-disclosure agreement, you can then enter the design studio. As you do so you are struck by the large, well lit space which is Xenophya’s clay-modelling studio. In the centre of the studio sits a full-scale clay model which is surrounded with enough space to view the design from every angle. Ian Wride says “Although computers are now indispensable throughout the development process, we believe clay models are still essential for a hands-on evaluation of a design proposal. You just can’t interact with a CAD model in the same way. For us, clay modelling is also intuitive and fun and we believe this is evident in our designs” The styling clay used by automotive design studios can be reworked and continually adjusted allowing the designer to sculpt in a creative, artisan manner.
The open plan offices, where new ideas are sketched out and refined before being presented as slick visuals, are located on a mezzanine overlooking the main clay studio floor and the adjacent workshop. They have an impressive array of kit for a small consultancy, including a surface plate and a coordinate measuring machine – used for measuring 3D shapes or data points in space. Keeping clients’ projects secret is obviously a priority so the layout of the unit ensures that client confidentiality is never breached.
Concept Design for Yamaha Aerox-R by Xenophya Design.
Since establishing the company in 2001, Mark Wells and Ian Wride have spent the last seven years building up an impressive portfolio of projects and an equally enviable client list. Although most major motorcycle manufacturers have their own in-house design team they often employ the services of consultancies for smaller design projects or specific aspects of larger projects. Companies without their own design team employ Xenophya to provide a complete design service.
Much of the work produced by consultancies such as Xenophya is never allowed into the public domain. “Some of our most impressive, innovative work is confidential and not meant for public, much less competitor consumption” Ian Wride explains. Changing objectives, markets, and budgets mean it is common for projects to get stopped before they reach production.
Mark Wells hints at his frustration when he says “We are extremely proud of all our work but unfortunately a lot of it never gets to see the light of day. On occasion we have to stay completely anonymous. Some contracts state that we can't even mention that we worked for the client let alone be allowed to use anything in our portfolio…. that’s just the way the industry works.”
An impressive design for an Indian Market 250cc bike by Xenophya Design
Despite not being able to use much of their portfolio for self-promotion, Xenophya Design has built up sound working relationships with some major players in both European and Indian motorcycle manufacture. The impact of Chinese motorcycle brands on both the global export and domestic markets (the Chinese buy over 16 million bikes a year) has recently led the consultancy to set up an office in Hong Kong. Philip Heung, Xenophya Design’s Hong Kong representative, explains “For us and our clients the Hong Kong office acts as a conduit easing communication with both factories and suppliers in the Far East”.
Xenophya Design is hoping that the new studio, along with the expansion into Hong Kong, will help towards their stated goal of becoming the premier port of call for outsourcing motorcycle design services in Europe.
