ASA is an award winning industrial design studio. This website contains some examples of our work; it is a snapshot, demonstrating the consistent quality of thought and execution on which the reputation of asa has been built.

Since 1985 we have created products that have re-shaped and transformed the fortunes of a wide variety of different businesses. We may be asked to breathe life into existing products or give shape new ones; research opportunities for diversification, or explore applications for a new process.

In many instances we have been retained as design advisors, evolving and executing product development programmes with our clients over a number of years.

The art and craft of the industrial designer is increasingly masked by a wall of jargon and business speak, but results speak for themselves and we are proud of our record. The final arbiter of any product is the customer who is often confronted with bewildering choice. If we have succeeded they will stop, look and wish to find out more; that done they must not be disappointed. New product development is creative, frustrating, inspiring, exhausting, fun and necessary for success in business.

ASA was set up in 1985 by Adrian Stokes following six years at a major design practice in London working with many household names. He studied Industrial Design, is a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, member of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers and a Freeman of the City of London.

He has been visiting Professor at Northumbria University’s renowned School of Design, external examiner at a number of leading design institutes and writes widely on design matters.

More than anything, good design depends on good relationships: for clients this requires that they are listened to from the outset, challenged where appropriate and fully engaged. Our shared objective is a product that customers value and want to buy.

Having worked in a large consultancy, (and then a small consultancy which became a large one) I started my own practice because I believed that design consultancy was not a commodity but a bespoke service requiring the personal attention of the designer and the client: all my experience has confirmed this conviction.

The industrial designer is a creative facilitator and we function most effectively given clear guidelines and an open responsive climate in which to work.

Exceptional design is the result of care and consideration for a bewildering mix of factors; the process is not an easy one, nor is it a respector of complacency the world moves on. My years in practice have taught me two things: not to take anything for granted and that this can be the best job in the world working in the company of those who have the intelligence, creativity and the management skill to combine their gifts with ours: I think it’s called alchemy and the feeling when it works is pure magic.

There are depressingly few products available that I covet, but I think we’ve created some. I hope the evidence of this website will confirm this belief and encourage further investigation.

ASA has benefited from the talent and commitment of individuals whose contribution has helped build and maintain a reputation for work of the finest quality and originality:

david banham: simon browning: michael backhouse: mark bond: lisa byrne: duncan chorley: adam collier: kieron crawley: andy dray: wendy flicker: alice frenlisch: alan graham: stephen green: robin groom: linda hooper: stephen johnson: thanos karachalios: duncan kerr: graham kett: stuart lambert: michell mcdermott: timothy miller: anthony neilsen: jason osgerby: simon pengelly: mavis pidgeon: ben plewes: anthony pond: david sheff: dominic seddon: annie tessier-yandell: david thompson: david tonge: philip tully: geoff wade.

acoustic energy : satellite / subwoofer system
alco-sense : digital breathalysers
antler : moulded luggage
arcam : hi-fi products/ speakers
arenson : office system
artifort : executive seating
ascom : telephone range
audio-3 : noise dosimeters
autohelm : navigational equipment
boeing : aircraft lighting
broadcast developments : vdu range
baygen power : clockwork torch
boss design : task seating proposals
carlton international : moulded luggage
crittall warmlife : conservatory range
cycle alert : cycle safety system
c.t.harwood : water separator
esse : cookers & heaters
eidos : video conferencing camera
faco electric : shower heaters
gordon russell : office furniture and seating
gillroyd electrical : wireless alarm system
grant westfield/formica : cubicle hardware
giroflex : office chair range
hands of wycombe : boardroom furniture
herman miller : systems furniture
issey miyake : structural packaging
ideal standard : sanitaryware
interstuhl : reception seating
jacjac : car accessories
j f nott : office system
knightsbridge furniture : hospital furniture
loc8tor : healthcare products
loctite : cordless glue gun
london transport : customer assistance point
lightform : linear lighting system
marks & spencer : housewares
mbm technology : rugged computers
naim audio : audio equipment
nes healthcare : body scanner
office corp : office systems
portmeirion : tableware
pat : information terminal
ralph lauren : point of sale units
rentokil initial : washroom products
roberts radio : digital radios
rockwell collins : ife handsets
rolls-royce cars : merchandise concepts
rtz : architechtural ironmongery
screen solutions : office screen systems
silver cross : nursery products
smartworld technology : transport seating
snell group : digital routers
specialix : computer peripherals
securicor : commercial alarm system
soda-stream : drinks dispenser
steelcase strafor : office system/task lighting
stg aerospace : aircraft security products
tensator : queue management systems
texas homecare : occasional furniture
tuska’s den : childrens furniture
universal electronics : remote controls
vistek : broadcast equipment
west dean college : feasibility study

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