Barnaby Childs profile photo
I’m a designer who likes creating objects that feel considered, functional, and distinctive.

iris

A responsive system that transforms everyday spaces through light, sound, and motion.

Digital consumption has made focused sensory experiences increasingly rare.

iris unifies sound, light, and media into a system that transforms small spaces into immersive environments through a renter-friendly setup.

iris utilises FFT analysis to generate visuals that respond to music. This offers a second stimuli that is a true companion to the music instead of the dreaded doom scroll.

Example generative graphic that responds to the music.

Touch designer was utilised to prototype this functionality.

Brand touchpoints include a website, companion app to share and download algorithms, packaging and an iris user guide book. Together they enhance the story around iris and give the product a target audience beyond its use case.

Wetland Action Toolkit

Award-winning project (iF Student Design Award 2026) developed with Niki Lim, Pablo Scopes, and George Crean.

The project proposes a system that connects farmers and conservationists to streamline collaboration on environmental regeneration and improve access to government funding, supporting flood mitigation efforts in the UK.

Blackstar

During my placement I worked as the industrial designer for Blackstar Amplification. Over the past year I have also worked part time with them on a few more projects alongside my studies.

BEAM mini is a portable amplifier and bluetooth speaker and the worlds first NAM native amplifier. I designed the ID and produced animations and marketing material for launch.

Polar GO is a portable audio interface with inbuilt microphones allowing anyone to access pro audio with little equipment. I helped define the product, design the ID and design the app.

IDX One, Two and Three are floor based Advanced DSP Modellers. I helped finalise the ID and produced animations and marketing materials for launch.

BEAM solo is a headphone amplifier in the BEAM range. I designed the CMF and the UI of the BEAM app.


Awards

iF student Award 2026 – Wetland Restoration Toolkit

Guitarist gear of the year 2025 – Polar GO

3rd Place FSW SDCA design week – Noodl


Experience

Industrial Designer – Placement

Blackstar Amplification | July 2024 – August 2025

More info
  • Led product development from concept sketches through to production bringing 6 products to market
  • Developed concepts, prototypes, and user-tested solutions for market release
  • Contributed to UI and UX bringing 2 companion apps to market

Generalist Designer – Freelance

Groundhog Audio, nLabs, Trinity Labs | August 2025 – Present

More info
  • Creating high-quality product visualisations and white-shot renders for Kickstarter and marketing campaigns
  • Supporting product communication through visualisation

Founding Designer – Freelance

Music Plugin Startup | August 2025 – Present

More info
  • Designing product interfaces for a music plugin startup
  • Designing brand assets and direction for launch
  • Launching Autumn 2026

Industrial Designer — Freelance

Blackstar Amplification | January 2026 – Present

More info
  • Assisting the development of a live industrial design project from concept refinement through to production-focused detailing
  • Supported the launch campaigns of two products through high-quality marketing visuals and product communication assets

Thanks for viewing my page, contact me @barneychilds6@gmail.com if you have any questions and find my full portfolio here Barney Childs Industrial Design Portfolio :: Behance