Smith Dixon and Associates Ltd (SDA)
Location: Remote (via Teams or Zoom) with initial face to face introduction on school premises if permitted and if locality is suitable
Duration: 1 week
Dates: Flexible
Number of placements available: 1
SDA is a product design consultancy specialising in the design and development of luminaires for commercial lighting segment. SDA is involved in all aspects of a luminaires design, from initial concept through to detail design, prototype and product launch. SDA also undertakes the thermal design of heatsinks and optical design of reflectors and lenses.
There will also be the opportunity to learn about the use of 3D printing and plant polymers via a sister company called LumiAdd. LumiAdd specialises in the design and production of architectural luminaires utilising 3D printing as a manufacturing process and plant polymers as a material.
During this placement, the applicant will get a hands-on experience with the full design process of a commercial luminaire, primarily under the guidance of SDA but with additional exposure to advanced manufacturing techniques provided by LumiAdd.
The experience will begin with an introduction to the fundamentals of lighting and luminaire design, covering key areas such as luminaire types (commercial, decorative, and bespoke), application types (including office, retail, and industrial environments), and an overview of lamp technologies—from traditional to modern sources. The applicant will also gain insight into basic electronics, thermal management through heatsink design, optical control, and overall product design principles.
As part of the hands-on experience, the applicant will be introduced to prototyping techniques and small-scale manufacturing processes. At LumiAdd, they will learn how sustainable materials, such as plant-based polymers, are used in 3D printing to produce luminaire components in volume.
This placement offers a great opportunity to see how ideas become real products and to understand the different stages involved in designing and making modern lighting.
To apply Email Lewis Smith
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