Tim Maclean | From Dyson to Founding a Design Consultancy: Lessons in Innovation and Resilience

The Design Journeys Podcast

Episode 15 of The Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte. New episodes every other Wednesday!

In this episode, Chris Whyte chats with Tim Maclean, founder of Cognate, a design consultancy based in Bath. Tim's journey spans decades of experience in the design and engineering field, from Avon Rubber to Herman Miller and Dyson.

He shares insights on his varied career, the challenges of switching between permanent roles and contracting, and the eventual decision to start his own consultancy. With a passion for blending engineering with design, Tim opens up about the balance between the two disciplines and the reality of running your own business.

Key highlights include Tim’s transition from consultancy to in-house roles, his work on high-profile products like the US Joint Services face mask, and the lessons he’s learned from managing redundancies and building client relationships. Tim also dives into the process of scaling a design consultancy and what it takes to maintain work-life balance in an industry where hours can easily blur together.

Key Takeaways:

1. Balance Between Engineering and Design: Tim’s early career was shaped by his desire to bridge the gap between technical engineering and creative design, a focus that has remained throughout his career.
2. Transitioning from Permanent Roles to Contracting: Tim discusses the trade-offs of contract work, including the freedom and flexibility it offers, but also the lack of ownership over projects.
3. Starting a Design Consultancy: Tim highlights the challenges of starting Cognate, including the decision to leave behind a stable career, and how building client relationships has been critical to success.
4. The Importance of Networking: Tim emphasizes the value of networking and reaching out to old contacts when starting a business or looking for work, particularly in industries like design and engineering.
5. Work-Life Balance: Tim shares his strategy for maintaining separation between work and home life by renting an office space, while also balancing the demands of running a consultancy.
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Connect with Tim Maclean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-maclean-32115a156/

Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teamkodu.com/⁠