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The University of the West of England has a program called the Graduate Consultancy Scheme, whereby they "place recent graduates in industrial settings to share the best in design knowledge," to solve real-world problems (and use design to get real-world paychecks).

One of the recent problems tackled under the GCS was speed cameras. Everyone hates to get speeding tickets, but speed cameras are a useful way for the government to lower road fatalities. Since people hate the cameras so much (see photos above, where someone actually sets one aflame using an old tire), manufacturer Crown UK asked graduates of UWE's Creative Product Design course to help out.

Designer Steve Harris not only cleaned up the camera's forms and made them easier to maintain, he decided to change people's perception of speed cameras (from invasive ticket-mailing gewgaws to safety equipment that helps protect you) by incorporating it into an illuminated speed limit sign.

The managing director of Crown UK, Ian Woodbury, said: "I was impressed by the psychological impact that speed camera housing design could have on the community and authorities. Giving the housing a softer image and incorporating other road safety features without doubt emphasises the safety angle."

Tod Burton [Creative Product Design course leader] said: "This has been a real success story for Crown and for UWE's Graduate Consultancy Scheme. We have shown how product design thinking has the power to influence a manufacturer's bottom line, a critical advantage at a time when British manufacturing faces global competition."