Who we are

We are product designers, passionate about sustainable ways of making things and using our expertise to deliver effective design.

In short, we’re an independent design agency with a specialism in product design for digital fabrication technologies - but what we stand for runs much deeper than that.

As a lean and contemporary London design studio, we are bold in doing things differently, while steadfastly committed to delivering professional and effective design.

The vision is about an alternative model for design, that is more open, sustainable and decentralised and ultimately empowering for people to be more engaged in making the material things that shape their world. We strive towards this end by making the most of technologies like additive manufacturing, which unlock the potential for distributing global designs for local production. Through our work, in designing parts and products for digital fabrication and researching new futures, we are building capacity in the broader ecosystem for impactful, innovative and long-term change. In other words, we see an opportunity to lead by example in shaping design, by helping businesses to succeed and people to make.

AKD started in 2021, emerging out of the intersection between maker culture and professional design. We have worked with visionary and innovative clients with whom we have created work we can be proud of, and we’re looking forward to building on that work into the future.

Vision

A sustainable model of design that will empower people in the making of material things, address important problems and inspire others.

Mission

Design usable products, furniture and artefacts, made using digital fabrication, to mobilise the distributed design ecosystem and demonstrate an alternative and sustainable model of design.

  • Andrew Lamb, Internet of Production

    The work that AKD produced was thoughtful and considered, creative and innovative – and on-time and on-budget. Alex was very easy to work with, professional and really took the time to listen. We gave him a broad scope, so we weren’t sure what we were going to get, but the result is clearly thought out, actionable and of a really high standard. Alex has presented his work for us in a number of international fora and he makes us look so good! Definitely work with him if you can.

  • Katrin Stricker, Materi Concepts

    With the increasing need to design, build, and test parts faster, we are seeing the massive advantage that additive manufacturing has in the manufacturing space, reducing manufacturing lead time. Alex Kimber Design helped us optimize digital fabrication and achieve better workflows and improve design processes.