All Nippon Airways (ANA) – Japan’s largest airline –unveiled the results of its long-standing partnership with Acumen Design Associates and internationally renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.
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Firefly is a wearable that helps accelerate sports recovery after exercise and minor injury. It’s portable, has no leads or wires, and is worn behind the knee. Once attached, it delivers painless electrical impulses to gently activate the muscles of the lower leg to increase blood circulation.
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Acumen Design Associates has been recognised at the prestigious London Design Awards 2016, winning awards for its pioneering design work on both the geko® and firefly® devices. Taking home awards in two separate categories: the firefly® device won Gold in the Sport & Active Lifestyle category, whilst geko® was awarded Silver for Best Medical Product Design, and no doubt raises the bar for competitors.
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BBC NEWS INTERVIEW ACUMEN CEO&FOUNDER IAN DRYBURGH
February 2017
In this exclusive live interview with the BBC, Ian Dryburgh, CEO and Founder of Acumen Design Associates lifts the lid on the innovations that have come from the Acumen studio studio, from premium aircraft interiors, to lifesciences and even round paper towels!
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The upgrades to United’s international business class mean more comfort on long-haul flights. Polaris, United Airlines’ new take on international business class, is meant to evoke the North Star—a shining beacon (get it?) in the industry. What we have is a little more straightforward: new seats, new lounges—all very welcome (if not quite revolutionary) upgrades to United’s long-haul flights.
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United Airlines today revealed its new business class cabin experience on-board their B787’s, A350’s and B777’s.
United will be the first airline in the world to fly this unique seat design invented and patented by Acumen. This highly original cabin configuration combines in-line seats with angled seats to create the industry’s most space efficient super business class layout. United are so impressed with the design that they are installing it across their entire fleet. This completely new ‘herring-line’ configuration will create a major disruption in the lay-flat seating market.
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In the last twenty years, the premium interiors industry has bloomed. The choice and variety of luxury interiors is comprehensive, you can choose to travel in a no frills flat-bed, or a luxury first class suite, all the way up to a private three room residence with a butler on-board. In stark contrast, the experience for the vast majority of economy passengers is still at-best a compromise.
As one of the world’s leading agencies in the design of ground-breaking interiors, Acumen will be sharing some insights into the challenges involved in the design of economy products and lifting the lid on some of their concept work in this area.
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Wired Magazine review the winners of the 2016 Crystal Cabin Awards. Acumen Design Associates are recognised as Etihads design partners for this highly original cabin layout that optimises the B787 fuselage.
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Beating off stiff competition, Acumen and Etihad once again took home the much coveted Crystal Cabin Award – Otherwise known as The Oscars of the aircraft interiors industry- for their revolutionary ‘First Suites’ patented cabin layout.
Now flying on Etihad’s B787s, this new-to-market product is the world’s first custom first class seat ever to fly on this catalogue aircraft. This is made possible by a highly innovative fore and aft layout which ‘curves’ the aisles toward the galley complex.
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While private and commercial aircraft interiors have historically been very different in their approach to service, layout and design, the divide is blurring. Acumen Design Associates discuss why commercial industrial design skills have never been more relevant to the private charter industry, and how forward-thinking private jet companies can utilise these to create differentiation through their interior definition and seating design.
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Acumen Design Associates discuss how they might re-imagine supersonic aircraft interiors by harnessing the supersonic flight itself as the passenger experience. Anthony discusses reconfiguration of the fundamental layout of the ‘tube,’ the service style, and how the passengers might interact with their environment by integrating emerging technologies.
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Acumen Design Associates discuss how they might re-imagine supersonic aircraft interiors by harnessing the supersonic flight itself as the passenger experience. Sharing exclusive concept sketches, Acumen discusses the reconfiguration of the fundamental layout of the ‘tube’, the service style, and how the passengers might interact with their environment by integrating emerging technologies.
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London’s financial, creative and tech industries are dependent on high quality Internet broadband connections to function effectively, however In a recent survey of 33 top European capitals, London lags in 26th place on the list for download speeds. Mark Jordan interviews Acumen’s Anthony Harcup to understand why reliable, high-speed internet is fundamental at Acumen in the design of luxury aviation interiors.
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Acumen Design Associates are delighted to announce that our work on ‘Ora’ the all-round kitchen towel from British company Better All Round has been recognised by the Design Business Association, after it was presented with a Silver award at the 2016 DBA Design Effectiveness Awards. The DBA Awards champion the role of effective design in the creation of business growth, and has showcased the best partnerships between businesses and design agencies since its inception almost three decades ago.
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Colour, material and finish play a crucial role in making an aircraft cabin attractive, sophisticated and comfortable. Ian Harbison, Editor of Aircraft Cabin Management, speaks to Acumen about industry trends, the luxury materials used in Etihad Airways’ ground-breaking A380 upper-deck, and how materials can be used to enhance the passenger experience.
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Choice has never been greater for aviation passengers. From top-tier airlines to lower-end competitors, travellers can opt for a luxurious ‘hospitality’ experience, a simple ‘transport’ experience and everything in between. Skift Aviation Editor Marisa Garcia speaks to Acumen about the importance of brand differentiation in a competitive industry landscape and the potential for innovation in premium economy.
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Acumen Design Associates design work has been recognised by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, after it was successfully awarded a Good Design Award for each of the three products it entered. The products have the right to display the official ‘G-Mark’ logo and will feature in the Good Design year book.
The Good Design Award has been operated by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion since 1957 and is one of the most prestigious official celebrations of innovative design in Japan. Award entries are received from hundreds of companies, designers and manufacturers from all over the world and compete in a rigorous selection process that judges products on design quality, functionality and excellence.
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BBC Inside Out London
November 2015
Mark Jordan interviews Acumen CEO Ian Dryburgh and Associate Anthony Harcup about why London is the centre of excellence for aircraft interior design. From creating the world’s first Bed In The Sky for British Airways, to the World’s first commercial VIP suite for Etihad Airways, this insightful documentary showcases Acumen’s influence in shaping the aircraft interiors industry as it stands today.
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Business Jet Interiors Exclusive
November 2015
Catherine Barber of Acumen Design Associates discusses the overlap between VIP and commercial aircraft design, and reveals what’s caught her eye recently – from 3D printing to conductive textiles and astronomy motifs.
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Aircraft Interiors Showcase 2016
October 2015
John McKeever discusses the increased demand for Business Class seating and how airlines can differentiate in a crowded marketplace.
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Business Jet Interiors – Commercial Gains
October 2015
Marisa Garcia talks to Anthony Harcup of Acumen Design Associates about the cross-over between VIP and commercial aircraft interior design.
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On a mission to satisfy customers’ desires, commercial airlines are adopting the idiom “the sky’s the limit.” Ian Dryburgh, CEO of Acumen Design Associates, a London-based transport design firm that invented The Residence by Etihad and the first Bed in the Sky for British Airways says, “The airline industry is trying to rediscover the romance of travel—that moment in history when transatlantic travel was in its infancy and was really exclusive.”
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Luxury Magazine caught up with Ian Druburgh to find out more about Acumen Design Associates. Ian founded Acumen Design Associates in 1981 as a multidisciplinary design consultancy. A named inventor on patents spanning many industry sectors, his commitment to innovation is the bedrock of the brand.
In a career spanning more than 30 years, he has enjoyed award winning success in a wide range of industry sectors from the Marine to Aerospace, FMCG, Life Science, architecture and high performance products. With a broad market knowledge and strong brand awareness, Ian brings a unique perspective and insight to any new product development program aiming to achieve market leadership.
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A ‘physically small company, doing the biggest jobs’ is how Ian Dryburgh describes Acumen: a high-profile, multi-award-winning company, which has a seemingly endless portfolio of design projects for planes, trains and automobiles. Arguably the most high-profile design of Acumen is the ‘Bed in the Sky’ for British Airways, launched in 1996, which saw the first flat-bed design used on a commercial plane. The design flipped the airline industry on its head with the birth of a new market sector dedicated to luxury travel.
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What will the private jet of the future be like? Ian Dryburgh, CEO of Acumen Design Associates, a leading aviation and transport design company, that created ‘The Residence’ for Etihad and the first flat-bed in the sky for British Airways, believes that the potential for customizing the luxury travel experience is more needed than ever.
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Having designed the industry’s first diagonally positioned lavatory in the early 2000’s, Acumen discuss how lavatory design could be holistically integrated into the cabin to benefit the both passenger and airline…
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It is no surprise that Etihad, of the United Arab Emirates, has taken our top spot again this year, reinforcing its position as carrier ‘Number One’. The latest Business Class cabin found on the 787 and A380 exceeds the already faultless Business Class on the rest of its long haul fleet, with each glorious seat (designed by the gurus at Acumen DA, as part of the EDC) offering aisle access, fully-flat beds and dine-when-you-want menus.
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This Month FX Magazine asked Acumen Design Associates what we’d design if there was no problem-solving in design. Acumen’s Bujar Muharremi response is the Antarctic land yacht…
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Acumen Design Associates has been recognised by The International Yacht and Aviation Awards as winner of the 2015 First Class Commercial Cabin category for its design work on Etihad Airways’ ‘First Apartments’ beating both Emirates and Cathay Pacific. The International Yacht and Aviation Awards are hosted by Design et al, a leading UK interior design magazine, and celebrate international excellence in marine and aircraft interior innovation, annually rewarding outstanding interior design products and concepts at the awards ceremony in Venice.
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This years PEX 2015 keynote speech in Hamburg was delivered by Acumen’s Anthony Harcup. The body of the speech focused on Etihad’s unique guest-centric approach to creating what has become widely recognised as the most customised commercial aircraft interior in aviation history.
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Acumen Design Associates has been recognised by The Crystal Cabin Awards as winner of the 2015 Premium Class and VIP category for its design work on Etihad Airways’ ‘The Residence by Etihad’, ‘First Apartments’ and ‘Business Studios’.
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Cabin Space Article – The Elderly Traveller
April 2015
By the year 2050, there will be more people over the age of 60 than under! As this demographic inches closer, Acumen’s Anthony Harcup discusses how it will have significant implications for the airline industry.
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TheDesignAir’s Jonny Clark gives a comprehensive review of the Etihad A380 First Class passenger experience. Alongside an in-depth critique of the ‘First Apartments’ Jonny covers the check-in at Abu Dhabi’s terminal 3, and goes on to reveal a trip which captures the essence of an exceptional guest experience – recapturing the golden age of travel with un-paralleled service, food and seating product.
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Hollywood superstar Nicole Kidman has been named as the new face of Etihad Airways, a post which will see the actress front the carrier’s ‘Flying Reimagined’ campaign. Kidman stars in a new television commercial to be aired globally and on social media with still versions appearing on print, digital and outdoor channels.
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In the rail industry, the choice for passengers is First or Standard Class. Unsurprisingly, most passengers choose the Standard option. With over 20 years experience in the design of premium transport interiors, Acumen’s Nigel Lawson discusses where the rail operators might be missing a trick!
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Design Air TRIP REPORT: Etihad A380 Business Class
February 2015
TheDesignAir’s Jonny Clark gives a comprehensive review of the Etihad A380 Business Class passenger experience. Alongside an in-depth critique of the ‘Business Studio’ seat Jonny covers the check-in in London’s Heathrow terminal 4, the boarding and the pre-flight drinks – right through to the on-board meal, the in-flight entertainment and even the passenger amenity kit.
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This month Business Jet Interiors International interviewed Acumen Design Associates to understand more more about The Residence by Etihad, the new VIP aircraft interior onboard their flagship A380’s.
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China Eastern’s New 777-300ER First Class Suite
February 2015
Acumen have re-designed the highly successful ‘Venus’ platform for China Eastern’s New B777 fleet. The fully enclosed First Class suites, incorporate a new contemporary colour pallet, and custom designed features, including new styling, sliding privacy doors, full length closet and a double bed for the center suite.
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BBC News takes an in depth look at the future of passenger air transport in a age of carbon conscious traveler and fuel efficient airlines. As new technologies emerge Acumen discusses how these changes will enhance the passenger experience as well as addressing the airlines needs:
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The Future of Aircraft Interiors – The Economist
February 2015
The divide between economy and premium aircraft seating is widening. As space becomes more premium and new technologies emerge Acumen Design Associates share a civilized vision of the future for economy passengers with The Economist:
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Acumen Design Associates latest design work on Etihad Airways’ ‘First Apartments’ First Class suites has been recognised by TheDesignAir after the airline was awarded first place in the Top 10 International First Class cabins 2015.
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(Nudge)™ The Smart Wearable Belt
December 2014
With the global rise of wearable technology The Metro‘s James Day stopped by Acumen Design Associates with the challenge of designing a custom piece of wearable tech for the Metro’s readers. Acumen is no stranger to the wearable-tec market having already designed the FireFly™ Recovery Device which is used by athletes at all levels including professional premier club players and elite GB athletes for accelerated sports recovery and improved performance.
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Following the Launch of Etihad’s groundbreaking A380 premium seating products, Acumen’s Anthony Harcup lifts the lid on the design thinking behind this revolutionary cabin. and discusses the role of disruptive products in the aviation sector.
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Acumen Design Associates received the Overall Winner Award at the SBID International Design Awards 2014 for The First Apartments First Class Suites for Etihad Airways.
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We are delighted to report that the Ora round paper towel has won in the Household Product category at the Grocer Awards 2014. The awards ceremony was held at the Marriott Grosvenor Square, London. Oday Abbosh – CEO of Better All Round collected the award.
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Acumen Design Associates are proud to announce that four of our recently launched products have been shortlisted for the 5th Annual International Yacht and Aviation Awards 2015 across three separate categories. These are:
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Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad’s new interiors have pushed Airbus, Boeing and it’s cabin supplier list to new limits – and they may push the whole industry too. Acumen Design Associate’s Ian Dryburgh, Nigel Lawson and Ant Harcup are featured in this in-depth article behind Etihad’s recently launched A380 interiors project in this months Aircraft Interiors Magazine:
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Recaro have publicly launched their brand-new entry into the Business Class market, the CL6710, in this month’s Aircraft Interiors International magazine.
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Jonny Clark from The Design Air stops by the Acumen studio to get the inside story of the seat design from Acumen’s Nigel Lawson and Anthony Harcup. This, the second of four in-depth articles, focuses in on the seat design process for The Residence and the First Apartments, from the first blue sky sketches through to the finished articles.
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It has been 5 years in the making, and now finally Etihad Airways have revealed to the world a ground-breaking suite of products which redefine all classes of flight for their flagship A380 and B787 Dreamliner fleets. Both aircraft design programmes represent the single-biggest commitment to cabin interior product design made by any airline in the world.
The new interiors have been designed by a British consortium of Acumen Design Associates, Honour branding and Factory Design, of which Acumen were selected to design all on-board seating products: -
A new benchmark in cabin attendant seating
April 2014
A leading global supplier of cabin attendant seating are changing the face of the industry with a range of new upgrades for their aviation clients. Following the success of the 2013 Hamburg Show-Seat (designed by Acumen Design Associates), Acumen have worked closely with the company to develop customisable on-wing seat refurbishment packages that deliver a class-leading level of fit, finish and finesse to an otherwise utilitarian cabin element.
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American Airlines have refreshed their fleet of B777-200s with a new Business Class seat. After two years of conceptualizing and customer research American Airlines elected to develop Acumen’s patented radical fore and aft Business Class cabin configuration concept launched at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg 2014. The final styling and product branding formed part of JPA’s expanded corporate brief.
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The Firefly™ device, designed by Acumen, has been shortlisted in the medical and health category for ‘Best Technology across Multiple Sports’ award at the forthcoming 2014 Sports Technology Awards. The winners will be announced at the ceremony in London on 4 April. Acumen and FirstKind are proud to be a part of the inaugural awards that are aimed at celebrating the best and most innovative technology in sport.
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Saudi Arabian Airlines have teamed up with Acumen and Honour Branding to modernise the interiors of 22 of the airline’s 23 Boeing 777-200ERs. Based on one of B/E Aersopace’s popular suites, Acumen was tasked with re-styling the product to meet Saudia’s specific requirements while working closely with Honour Branding to incorporate a new colour pallet befitting a modern Arabian airline.
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Seen as an all-round British success story, the Firefly and Geko devices have been developed and brought to market by Acumen and Firstkind, following a three year programme. The device adheres to the back of the leg and provides electrical stimulation to the perineal nerve; this triggers the body’s built in mechanisms to increase blood circulation and can help in a range of conditions, from DVT prevention to athletic performance enhancement.
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Seen as an all-round British success story, the Firefly and Geko devices have been developed and brought to market by Acumen and Firstkind following a three year programme. The device is adhered to the back of the leg and provides electrical stimulation to the perineal nerve which triggers the body’s built in mechanisms to increase blood circulation which can help in a range of conditions, from DVT prevention to athletic performance enhancement.
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The world’s first ever round paper towel! This globally patented product is set to disrupt the paper towel category. Tesco have exclusive UK rights to the distribution of the product, which has been on sale in some 100 stores in 2013 and will shortly be in 500 stores, before rolling out further across the country. Each round sheet is individually folded and stacked in a conical form onto a waterproof base, eliminating the need for an inner cardboard tube. This saves on packaging as well as reducing the overall product size– making for a leaner, greener product. Judging by consumer and media reviews so far, Ora has been very well received by the public. See the full case study here.
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In search of new high performance materials for next generation premium cabin interiors, Acumen teamed up with U.S. based Boltaron and together they have developed several design concepts for interior aircraft applications. These were well received at the 2013 Aircraft Interiors Expo, and have sparked interest among the industry press. You can read more on the collaboration here.
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This redesign of Zodiac UK’s ‘Vantage’ seat was focused on re-proportioning the seat to give an equal offer to the passenger while improving stowage. It was also to come up with a new table design to simplify and enhance its use and production.
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Aircraft Interiors Article
December 2011
Ian Dryburgh of Acumen Design Associates asks if there is a more sophisticated, weight-efficient and attractive approach to providing on-board personal privacy.
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China Southern’s First Class Suites reviewed
November 2011
This Acumen-designed first class suite features in a review by Design Air, and November 2011’s Aircraft interiors article.
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Air China Selects Contour’s First Class Seat
September 2011
Air China select ‘Venus’ seat platform (originally designed by Acumen) to furnish their new 777-300ER’s. Acumen were also responsible for refreshing the product to create a customised look and feel.
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Delta Airlines unveiled plans for the complete revitalisation of its fleet of Boeing 747-400 aircraft using the Acumen-styled ‘Cirrus’ seat. This poduct will be flying primarily from the Tokyo-Narita hub.
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Korean Air has embarked on a major fleet overhaul, featuring new Kosmo suites designed by Acumen that spearhead a broad package of seating and IFE improvements.
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Contour’s Bob Lovel discusses the innovations which have driven the aircraft seating industry forward.
“Contour has taken the lead in developing next-generation products together with long-standing design partner Acumen. Creators of the original ‘Bed In The Sky’ for British Airways, the AA Flagship Suite and many other benchmark products, this latest collaboration has delivered Venus, the super-first-class standard-bearer. Growth, innovation, design – the decade ahead promises to be even more exciting than the previous one…”
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Cathay First Class Suite wins 2008 Skytrax Award
September 2008
Following the 2007 launch of their first class product, Cathay Pacific won the prestigious Skytrax ‘Best First Class 2008’ for this luxurious and private cabin, designed in its entirety by Acumen.
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Following its long awaited May 2005 launch, the Britax Baby Safe Sleeper has been met with outstanding industry and consumer reviews. It has also garnered a number of international awards including the Kind&Jugend Innovation Award, the BACRA Award and being named Best-Buy 2008 by Which? Magazine.
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The airline’s new Première cabin, on board both its Boeing B777-300ER and Airbus A330-200 aircraft, features 30 seats in a herringbone configuration. The Première seats are based on Contour’s Solar Eclipse model, already in service with Air Canada, and on order with Delta.
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‘Freedom’ is a ground-breaking new economy seat design that positions passengers in opposing directions to increase personal space. This is achieved by reversing the centre seat and overlapping adjoining armrests.
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Stephen Armstrong gets up-close and personal with the best selling business class seat in the market. Read the full Wallpaper Magazine article here.
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Acumen’s Fred Brown shares a detailed case study of the seat design with Aircraft Interiors. Read the article here.
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Following the 2003 refurbishment of the Mallard Mk3 Coach interiors, Rail magazine review the old vs new cabins. Launched to great acclaim by the Queen in 2001, it remains in service today.
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Air France Espace Premiere First Class
March 2004
Following the 2002 Launch of AirFrance’s L’espace Premiere, Acumen’s Simon Lunn discusses the design philosophy behind Air Frances flagship furniture inspired FC suite in this product design case study.
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Following extensive wind-tunnel testing and development trials, Acumen raced their soapbox at the world famous Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2002. In front of an audience of 140,000 and up against a bluechip field of automotive companies, Acumen achieved 2nd place as runners up to McClaren with a maximum speed of 57mph.
Acumen’s leader board success achieved national press in T3 magazine, Motorsports Now, Design Week, and Aircraft Interiors magazine among others.
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Following the 2000 Launch of American Airline’s Flagship FC suite, Acumen CEO Ian Dryburgh discusses the design philosophy behind the world-first ‘swivel-seat’ in this product design case study. Read the Aircraft Interior article here.
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IndustryNow interview Acumen’s Ian Dryburgh and Britax’s Ben Bettel on successful creative partnerships in the premium aircraft interiors industry. Read the full article here.
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Ian Dryburgh interviewed by Evolution Magazine
December 1999
Acumen CEO Ian Dryburgh talks to Christine Aziz about his beginnings as a designer at Mercedes Benz, the rise of Acumen and the underlying philosophy behind one of Britain’s leading design houses. Read the article.
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Acumen’s Fred Brown discusses the ways in which an interior designer can influence passenger preference and even airline selection. Read the article here.
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Following the huge success of their groundbreaking ‘Bed in the Sky’ for British Airways in 1996, Acumen are recognised by Design Week as top UK Design House. Read the article here.
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Design Week interview – Acumen – High Flyers
April 1997
Design Week’s Emma O’Kelly talks to Acumen’s Ian Dryburgh, Russel Mulchalsingh and Simon Lunn about the magic behind one of the UK’s leading design houses. Read the article here.
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Optima is a brand new premium seating innovation created by Acumen and manufactured by Zodiac Seats UK. Designed to strike a perfect balance between passenger experience and commercial effectiveness, Optima is now on offer to Airlines around the world.
