Duncan Fitzsimons

Duncan is an industrial designer and is the director and founder of 17TH Design and Invention, based in London. Previously, he also co-founded and ran the design consultancy Vitamins. Duncan's work covers all industry sectors where people have to interact with technology, and focusses on creating new innovations and new experiences that go beyond the norm of new product development.

After starting out as an engineer working in Renault's department of ergonomics, Duncan's career as an industrial designer has seen him designing products ranging from from public display systems to micro scale surgical devices and award winning wearable tech products, many of which have resulted in patented new technologies. He has also produced design research and concept work for some of the world's leading technology brands.

Duncan's design for the world's first foldable wheelchair wheel went on sale last year as Morph Wheels. Originally started whilst Duncan was a student at the Royal College of Art, this design was a finalist in the Saatchi & Saatchi World Changing Ideas Award, won the Transport Category of Designs of the Year 2013 at the Design Museum and Icon Magazine's Product Design of the Year 2013.

In 2014 Duncan was awarded the prestigious Alex Moulton Award for innovation by the Institute of Engineering Designers.