HUB Ottawa is a co-working community, learning academy and incubator with a mission to activate new social enterprises and drive social innovation through collaboration. In this series, Kristen Macdonald introduces us to interesting members of the diverse HUB Ottawa community (Hubbers) and takes a look at the collaborative actions they are taking to make Ottawa and the world a better place.
I sat down with Ian Murchison and Rohan Thakar in one of HUB Ottawa’s private meeting rooms overlooking the bustling junction of Bank and Queen Streets in the heart of the city’s business district. Ian and Rohan are among the newest of HUB Ottawa’s membership; they joined the co-working community as a part of the recent “50 Members in 50 Days” campaign after an extensive search for office space separate from their busy workshop.
After several years with the mobile industry icon Research In Motion (now Blackberry) these former RIM comrades took the leap and founded a design service consultancy with a moniker nudging at their Ottawa connection – The Federal. With design portfolios boasting an abundance of Blackberry accessories, these Ottawa natives decided to “go rogue” in pursuit of diversifying their design experience. “We’d been told that, as designers, it’s important to limit the number of years spent with a company to two,” says Rohan, “that way you don’t find yourself type-casted into one specific area of design.”
With this advice in mind, The Federal spent the last year developing a wide range of products that often deviate from traditional forms and materials, including a 3D printed rectangular ceramic espresso set, an LED table lamp that emits an elegant circular light pattern and beautifully handcrafted Maple kitchen knives (winners of the reddot design award 2013). The Federal’s innovative approach to design is apparent throughout their consumer-based product collection; however, the most high-profile product to date has placed The Federal in an area entirely new to them: medical product design.
Working closely with GaitTronics, a spin-off from Carleton University’s Advanced Biomechatronics and Locomotion Laboratory (ABL), The Federal has developed a revolutionary rehabilitation device called GaitEnable. GaitEnable is a sort of robot intended to assist in the rehabilitation of post-surgery patients, speeding up recovery times and reducing hospital costs. It is expected to enter the market within the next year.
“We’re two passionate guys who love design and possess the intelligence and creativity to bring new products to the table,” says Rohan of their partnership. “Skilled in many facets of design and mass manufacturing, our forté is executing new design ideas in unique ways,” and the two have spent the last year doing so from a basement workshop. Equipped with an impressive portfolio, Ian and Rohan were ready to take the next step – seeking out space where they could spend several days per week working in a professional environment and hold client meetings.
After shopping around for office space they quickly realized that a decent rental in Ottawa would run them a minimum of $1000 per month, not to mention a 1-2 year commitment, which adds up quickly when you factor in the financing of a workshop as well. Then they discovered HUB Ottawa, and it was the perfect fit! Currently they are getting exactly what they need in a truly collaborative space with a few unexpected benefits, including access to HUBnet (a vibrant global network of 7000+ innovators, artists, professionals and entrepreneurs leading social innovation in 35+ cities). Already, The Federal has connected with HUB Milan members who have been advising Ian and Rohan on how to make their dream of exhibiting at Milan Furniture Fair a reality.
The Federal is about to enter their second year with no shortage of exciting projects on the horizon, one of which will be their Studio North exhibit at Toronto’s IDS14
Rapid Fire!
What’s one project coming out of HUB Ottawa that you consider “one to watch”?
We love the new paths that Creative Mornings Ottawa is now taking through their partnership with the City of Ottawa; creative people being recognized by the city is a great thing for the whole community!
Is there one piece of advice you could share with someone interested in launching their own company but have yet to make the leap?
Be smart and be lean. Money is always an issue when contemplating the leap so picking your battles and setting your goals will really help you. A space like Hub Ottawa offers a great work space and community without a bank busting lease in an office somewhere.
Name a person or agency you consider to be a trailblazer in the design world?
One company that stands out to us is Fuse Project and Yves Behar. Yes they do your typical, big company, Fortune 500 work, but despite being a very big name in the design world, they focus a lot on small start-ups. It’s great to see that even the small guys can have access to the talents of their design team. We always pictured firms just continually going after larger and larger clients, where as Fuse Project also focuses on going after smaller clients.
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