Yucef Hassaine

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University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM End of year show 2023 > MEng students > Yucef Hassaine

A modern version of the classic 35mm camera, designed for the casual audience.

I have always had a desire to find creative solutions to problems, and Product Design and Manufacture was a perfect way to nurture this desire into a skill which I can take into the real world. I thoroughly enjuy balancing creativity with technical knowledge and creating products which are both exciting and feasible.

As a detail driven designer who loves to keep on top of industry trends for inspiration, I like taking an open minded approach to problem solving. I am able to produce a wide range of conceptual ideas, as well as carrying these through to finality by solving complex engineering problems.

Ihave a particularly fond interest in the technology, automotive and aerospace industries, as well as working toward sustainable design solutions. I have a strong interest in CAD design and visual rendering and I am excited to work on a range of projects in future.

Yucef Hassaine, MEng Product Design and Manufacture

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Pico: A 35mm film camera designed for modern day

What might be thought of as an outdated medium replaced by digital cameras at the turn of the century, film photography has recently been resurfacing as an alternative for photographers, particularly amongst 16-30 year olds. People love the value of each photo, given there are only 24 or 36 photos on a roll of film, each shot matters, and therefore there is much more thought behind each capture.

Amongst many, attractions of film photography include the suspense of waiting to get your photos developed, as well as the imperfections and characterful photos and high dynamic range.

Despite this, many people find it really inaccessible, as the choice they have is limited to taking their chances on a second hand camera, which have also seen huge price hikes recently. Either that, or choose from a very limited range of low quality cheap new models, straight off the shelf.

Pico provides a new take on a retro product, featuring a fun and playful design with contemporary materials. It responds to how modern audiences take more selfies than ever before, and features a new button position which is ergonomic in both taking traditional photos, as well as selfies. The front face has a domed mirror which allows the user to successfully frame themselves and ensure their photo does not go to waste.

It is catered towards the more casual audience which has taken such a liking to film photography by including features such as autofocus and preset modes to make capturing moments easier than ever. It also features a never seen before mesh LED exposure counter.

The project involved a great challenge regarding both ergonomics and internal packaging. Rigorous 3D printing meant that the casing was carefully designed to be comfortable and secure in all orientations. Internally, cameras feature many intricate components, and packing these into a small handheld device was a serious engineering challenge. Going hand in hand with this, ensuring the manufacturability of the intricate injection moulded casings and chassis required a great amount of attention to detail.