Meet NICK TANNER, KOROYD’s Senior Product Design Engineer
With a career spanning electronics, mechanical design and manufacturing, Nick brings broad practical experience to the development of KOROYD-integrated products.
From working with brand partners during the first stages of helmet design to supporting R&D and developing more efficient processes, Nick helps turn ideas into solutions ready for production.
In this Team Spotlight, he shares how a career in engineering began, what goes into integrating KOROYD technology, the importance of prototyping, and why experience still matters in the age of AI.
How did your journey into product design and engineering begin, and what eventually brought you to KOROYD?
“I began my working life as an Engineering Apprentice. This has given me a fantastic foundation and broad practical understanding of manufacturing processes.
Funnily, I started with an apprenticeship in Electronics, which led to me working as a Draftsman (back in the days of drawing boards, paper and pens). When the new CAD system arrived, I wasn’t supposed to use it (above my pay grade), but stayed behind after hours to teach myself. It soon became apparent that I had an aptitude for mechanical design and I happily swapped disciplines.
Since then, I have worked in many companies in several countries, designing everything from Coffee Machines to Campervans, wheelchair controllers to surgical equipment. I have always preferred working in industries where you are making a positive difference, so when I was made redundant in 2023 from designing high-end gaming controllers and the opportunity came up to work for KOROYD, I jumped at it. Knowing that your designs are having a positive impact on people’s well-being is the best feeling you can have in design.”
What does your role as Senior Product Design Engineer at KOROYD involve day to day?
“A common aspect of the role is working with partners during the initial design phase of a helmet to work on the optimum integration of our materials to produce the best final design, given test standards, cost, aesthetics, etc. Once the design is agreed, then the nuts and bolts of fixing the specifications and production documentation. The design is more than just a panel in a helmet – it is the prototyping, trimming profiles, forming tools, QC jigs, etc. that get it made. We also work closely with R&D to develop new uses and new technologies to add to our safety portfolio.”
What are you focusing on at the moment, and what makes that work interesting to you?
“At the moment, I’m working with brand partners using our KOROYD material in new helmets. We have a great deal of specialist knowledge regarding test standard zones, material specifications and processes, so to make the process simpler, I have been focusing on developing “how to” guides for our technologies. These will enable our brand partners to incorporate the technology from the get-go in a design, to maximise the benefits in the products rather than rely on us to retrofit the technology later. I love building efficiency into processes, and this builds a real sense of partnership as well as making best use of the technology.”
What role do prototyping and testing play in your design process?
“Prototyping and testing are absolutely key to modern design practices. Fast iteration enables you to optimise solutions in days rather than weeks. The ability to prototype directly in the target materials has been a huge boon in delivering our latest Body Protection range.”
What’s one interesting or unexpected lesson you’ve learned while designing products with KOROYD technology?
“KOROYD do things differently. At first, this went against all my years of experience at other organisations, but I soon came to realise this gives us a unique way to interact with our partners, develop technologies, and navigate the world of manufacturing. A blend of agility and attention to detail.”
Are there any trends in product design, materials, manufacturing, or digital tools that you think will become increasingly important in the next few years?
“Obviously, understanding how to use AI efficiently is key. Like any tool, the output is only as good as what you put in, and you need to understand the limitations of what you get out. It’s great for automating data analysis and image generation but thankfully still lacking in the understanding of the fundamentals of design, like what makes a great product and the “why”, which comes with experience. Hopefully, for me, there will be a few more years before it gets there!”
What excites you most about the future of KOROYD and the work you’re doing here?
“There’s nothing like seeing the K-tab on a helmet in the Tour de France, at a bike or ski park and thinking, “that’s one of mine!” This will only increase in the future as the company continues growing and developing into new markets. It’s great that we are managing to maintain the agility of a small company whilst having the knowledge and systems of a market-leading ISO 9001 business. With the Mips acquisition, there is a real feeling of opportunity as we grow and expand with them.”
Designing what comes next
From hands-on manufacturing knowledge to close collaboration with brand partners, Nick’s experience reflects the blend of agility and attention to detail behind KOROYD’s approach.
As KOROYD continues to develop new technologies and expand into new markets, that experience will help turn more ideas into products that make a positive difference.
