Michael Aldridge
Product Design Engineer & Woodworker
Michael Aldridge is an award-winning Product Design Engineer with a passion for just that, ‘design engineering’.
Since graduating from the University of Strathclyde with a Masters degree in Product Design Engineering. Michael has gone on to work for some of Scotland’s leading design consultancies, as well as setting up his own. He has worked on a diverse range of projects and covered all disciplines from mechanical engineering through to industrial design. Michael has shown himself to be a tenacious and ambitious individual who proved an asset to whatever project he worked on.
Throughout his career, Michael has maintained a strong network of design and engineering connections. He is naturally intrigued by all things technical, innovative, original and believes in a hand’s on approach to design. In 2012 he competed against many other very talented design engineers across the UK to come away with the title of Young Design Engineer of the Year, an accolade he is extremely proud of. Michael continually strives for his designs to be the absolute best they can be.
While Michael was very happy with the career path he was forging, in 2016 an opportunity to travel was too good to miss. He decided to take a 2-year sabbatical to travel around the world and tick off the 7th Continent.
Even when travelling, his mind is never resting, he cannot help but dissect how something works or why something is designed as it is. Seeing the world and experiencing different approaches to design problems has helped to broaden Michael’s approach to design and expand his toolbox of engineering solutions.
In 2018, Michael and his wife founded MADE, a small design consultancy based within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Here, Michael enjoyed the focus and challenge of working directly with clients, helping to bring their ideas to life. Whether they are individual inventors, other consultancies or large multi-national companies, he relished the challenge to design whatever idea comes through the door.
As MADE evolved, it shifted towards an ambition for internal design and the generation of its own IP. Hence Makers Manual was born! A resource for seeking woodworking inspiration and advice. As well as a location to purchase plans.
It is Makers Manual’s intention to design products that are high-end, endure a long life, are quality crafted and environmentally focussed, along with offering a high level of customer service. This allows Michael to constantly push himself and with the opportunity to learn new skills, something which gives him great fulfilment.
With an optimistic outlook on life, Michael has many great plans and hopes for the future. He has set his standards high and will strive to achieve them.
MAKERS MANUAL was set up by Dora and Michael as a resource for quality DIY Woodworking Ideas, Plans and Advice. Our plans include furniture projects for inside and outside your home. As well as woodworking jigs for the workshop and children’s furniture and developmental toys.
© 2019 Michael Aldridge. All Rights Reserved.