Chris Thomas Consulting
FRESH, THOUGHTFUL DESIGN AND INNOVATION.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA.
Chris Thomas combines fresh perspective and tested skills to elevate your product or brand to the next level.
ProducT Design
Driven by a fascination with the intersection of aesthetics and functionality, I have a passion for the creation of objects that enrich and inspire.
DIGITAL INNOVATION
Working closely with people, products and places to implement transformative digital processes, from home automation to big data projects.
Marketing
With skill honed through experience, I can provide the full stack marketing, social strategy, web design and physical advertising that drives modern startups.
A1
On-Ear Headphones
Classic material focus meets a timeless, powerful design.
Designed as an exercise in rapid-iteration creation in a digital-only workflow, the A1 headphones represent a blending of premium materials and sleek modern lines that together create a compelling and remarkably attractive product.
Key to the generation of A1 was a signature horizontal workflow, capable of moving from parametric models and simple forms, to colour and material testing, to a preproduction rendering - and back, with each iteration progressively informing the other efficiently allowing ease of revision and ideation.
I believe that the future is digital - and that while a sketch may inspire the designer and drive direction, communication key to a collaborative creative process is more and more accomplished remotely. Working digitally gives the designer greater opportunity to embrace rapid prototyping and 3D printing techniques earlier in the creative process, generating a product that better respects the human factors in all design.
This allows for an integrated and efficient creative process that is completely transparent and meshes intimately with startup culture.
M1 ORBIT FOR JUNGHANS
Introducing the Orbit series of timepieces
An iconic brand deserves an iconic watch.
Designed to celebrate noted Bauhaus watchmaker Junghans, the m1 Orbit series wristwatch reduces the the movement of the timepiece to four, concentric circular forms for maximum legibility and expedient time-telling. The watch is machined from hardened stainless steel, with a diamond-like carbon finish on the Optic Black model. Time is set using a concealed crown on the rear of the watch, dramatically simplifying the exterior design. The unique strap is cut close to the housing of the watch, drawing the eye to the face, and enhancing the harmony of the unified form. Wrist attachment is made via a standard buckle and pin attachment in matching stainless steel.
m1 Orbit wristwatch in Optic Black and Winter Bright colour ways
Detail showing date window and close-cut strap
M2 POD DESK CLOCK
Orbit Series Timepieces
All the time in the world. From your desk.
Featuring the iconic Orbit clock face for accurate and minimalistic time-telling, the m2 Desk Clock features second markers for superior accuracy at closer viewing positions.
The modular design of the m2 creates the opportunity for numerous and varied colour ways for self-expression and personalisation.
The central name dial of the m2 is user removable and replaceable, with hundreds of city names available and the option to custom order further titles.
The time is set via a companion app for iOS and Android, and uses Bluetooth 4.0 LE for tap-to-pair setup and extremely accurate timekeeping.
The m2 performs flawlessly for two years on a single set of 4 AA batteries.
M3 WALL CLOCK
Orbit Series Timepieces
World time meets clear design.
Designed for optimal clarity and rapid time telling, the m3 Wall Clock elevates a home or office with a bold minimalist face. As customisation is a key consideration, the m3 is available in multiple metallic and matte exterior finishes. The central name dial is removable and replaceable, with custom options available to print-on-demand - ensuring a long and flexible working life.
Time is set using a companion app, communicating via tap-to-pair Bluetooth 4.0 LE. The m3 will give two years of consistent, accurate service on a single set of 6 AA batteries, and notify you when they require replacement.
T1 TELEVISION
UHD Television with an iconic, minimal-framed design
The television as furniture.
The t1 represents a dramatic departure in television design, by both dramatically simplifying the traditional form, and adding strong, minimalist lines that serve to frame the panel and bring the image to life.
Built around an immense 70" UHD OLED panel with HDR technology, the t1 features a tiny 10mm bezel, allowing the image to float, suspended from the frame of the television itself.
Formed from a single piece of steel, the frame is strong enough to keep the immense panel stable and secure. The furniture inspired split leg design allows for neat cable management, and a one-cable system keeps power supply and cable clutter limited to a manageable external input unit.
The suspended design permits for negative space around the panel itself, allowing wall colour or the view to frame the image, becoming part of the product itself, customising the t1 to the space automatically.
When activated, the t1's speaker system silently slides into place. With a tall rear acoustic chamber, Bang & Olufsen tuned sound space and dual, rear-firing subwoofers, the t1 packs the auditory punch most ultra thin televisions don't.
The speaker system is inset on both sides to hide completely inside the footprint of the design from all but the most extreme angles - and if not required, the t1 can be supplied without it, an ideal solution for commercial contexts.
S1 HARD DRIVE
Physically smarter storage
Built for professionals - but accessible to consumers - the s1 Hard Drive is physical storage done right. The no compromise design is intended to ensure a lifetime of trouble-free running. The fan-free enclosure acts as a heatsink and is made from a single aluminium extrusion that is CNC machined for natural airflow and passive cooling. The polycarbonate brackets at each end of the drive raise it off the work surface for further cooling, and allow safe interlocking for stacking up to five drives. A single, white LED indicates drive power and functionality.
The rear of the unit houses the drive bay door, power connector and two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports. To optimise product service life, the s1 is designed from the ground up to incorporate standard, non-proprietary, easy to replace parts. Though the unit ships with a 3.5" professional grade desktop hard drive, the enclosure mount is adaptable to fit other hard drives designs and solid state drives. Multiple drives can be daisy-chained via USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 to minimise port usage on machines like Apple's new MacBook or the new MacBook Pro. A special, short cable is included in the box, and a cable guide on the rear of the unit keeps everything neat and tidy.
COAST CERAMICS
digitally sculpted tableware
Sculpted, sumptuous ceramic. Coming Soon
A combination of painstaking research, the latest in three-dimensional CAD software and ergonomic consideration, Coast is a gorgeous and timeless collection of ceramic tableware for everyone.
Coast combines beautiful, geometric forms with soft, sweeping curves for an almost fabric-like, sweeping design that is only achievable through 3D printing.
Designed with intense consideration for human hands, Coast is as breathtaking to hold as it is to see.
With prototyping well underway for a complete range coming soon, watch this space for further announcements.
