Meet Brian

Joint founder and managing director of i4 Product Design, Brian Combe has over 30 years of experience in product development, the majority of which have been in a consultancy environment.

He has witnessed a huge throughput of projects during this time, with the resultant products having been introduced into the hi-tech, consumer, medical, renewable and industrial markets.

Brian’s role splits into two main areas – Management: he has overall responsibly for the efficient day to day running of the business, ensuring strict financial control and accountability and that the company is being steered along a path of steady, sustainable growth - Consultancy: contributing his technical experience not only to the internal teams when needed, but helping support new & existing clients navigate the trials and tribulations that product development brings.

What is your approach to design?
I have a ‘can do’ attitude and strongly believe that anything should be possible. Design solutions should be kept as simple as possible whilst applying a thorough attention to detail to achieve practical and elegant results.

With a specialist technical knowledge in designing plastic injection moulded components, it’s extremely important right from the start not to not lose sight of designing products for cost effective manufacture and intuitive assembly, regardless of the manufacturing process being adopted.

What are your three favourite designed products?
Forth Rail Bridge – iconic, ahead of its time, elegant.
Harrier Jump Jet – innovative, insect like, intimidating.
The Paper Clip – beautifully simple.

What interests you?
Sport, and travelling in general - combining both on a full time basis where I could attend all of the major sporting events around the world would be my ideal; adding a puppy to our family in 2021 will however have put paid to that prospect!