When you work at a bike company, you get lots of email from kids with ideas for new parts, questions about how to get a job in the industry and just about a million others. Not so long ago, Chris Harrison, the product designer for Federal Bikes was one of those kids. Chris was going to school for Engineering and needed to do an internship, he hit up Federal and things grew from there. I’ve become friends with Chris over the past year and thought it would be dope to ask him a few questions about what he does and hav him give some tips to kids who want to be where he is one day. Chris is a rad guy, and aside from designing all the products for Federal, Chris is still in School studying for his Masters and he is the new team manager for Lotek in the UK.

Check out an interview with Chris after the jump -

Who are you, where did you come from, and what do you do?

I am Chris Harrison, 22 years old and I currently live on the outskirts of London whilst attending university. I spent my childhood traveling around a lot, as my Dad was in the forces, before I went on to boarding school, so I guess that makes me a bit of a Nomad. I’m a full time student studying for a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering with Automotive Design whilst also being the product designer for Federal Bikes and Lotek UK Team Manager.

How did you get into BMX?

Some of the older kids at school had GT’s and I thought it looked cool and different to the usual rugby/football that is pushed down your throat in schools here. I enjoyed both those things but riding looked so much fun. I then picked up a copy of Ride UK. I remember it had a picture of a then really young Aitken and it made me think this was something I wanted to be a part of. Sadly my riding hasn’t progressed to quite the same level as his haha but I still have a lot of fun!

How did BMX help you figure out what you wanted to do with your life?

It didn’t really have too much of an impact, I guess it just made me realise that doing a job you enjoy and have an interest in is far more important than any financial gain. I also started being interested in design/engineering about the same time as bikes so its kind of just worked out and fallen into place.

How did you start working with the Seventies/Federal guys?

With my degree I was required to do a year in industry placement, as opposed to going the usual “work in an office as a glorified tea boy” I decided to apply round all the BMX companies in the hope of finding something. Luckily for me Seventies and Ian/Dean had just parted ways so there was a place open and I’m eternally grateful to Stu for giving me a shot.

What is your official title and what kind of stuff do you do on a daily basis?

I guess my official title would probably be product manager, this means I’m in charge of researching and developing new products for Federal. I then work with our suppliers in Taiwan to make sure everything is to our desired quality. This involves alot of drawing/modelling, e-mails, checking of drawings from suppliers, Quality Control and trying to co-ordinate things to run as smoothly as possible!

I’vs also just talen on the role of UK Team Manager for Lotek which I’m really excited about, not just to be part of a company like Lotek but for the opportunity to do stuff with the team to get them the recognition they deserve and push the brand forward in the UK.

What was the first product you worked on and what was it like to see it in a bike shop for the first time?

When we rebranded and redid the Federal range I kind of had to do it all at once to make sure we had a good range of products on offer. So it was all a bit of a blur to be honest, I’m pretty fond of the seatclamp though even though SPRFLS may not be haha! I still get really excited when I see the product in shops and even more so when I see someone riding it. It kind of provides a validation to what I’m doing and is very rewarding knowing someone is into what you’ve designed and worked towards.

What are some of the most difficult aspects of your job and what are some of the best?

The most difficult aspects are those that come about with dealing with foreign suppliers, however they can be easily overcome with experience. Things like the language barrier can sometimes slow things down and its always stressful waiting for samples, but we’re lucky to work with reputeable suppliers who have high standards of quality and service. The whole being in the industry thing is kind of over-rated too. On the plus side I’m involved in what I think is growing into a really cool company and we have plans to get more and more progressive as time goes on. I get to meet and deal with alot of cool people through my work and have made lots of good friends, the Seventies guys are the best for sure. Also getting to design parts for a company then seeing them in the flesh is always a treat!

I know you get to go to Taiwan, have you been able to travel anywhere else for work and do you have any trips coming up?

Just Taiwan so far, but that in itself was an amazing experience and definately helped me understand more about how to design effectively and also opened my eyes as to how wrong certain claims about Taiwanese manufacturing are. I sadly missed out on Vegas last year as I got ill but I plan to make up for it this year! I’m also working on hopefully getting a Lotek trip together for the late summer and I want to come out to Canada to go to Metro and visit you (Harrison). I want to meet my hero Darcy too haha.

Where do you go to school?

I go to Brunel University in Uxbridge, North West London, there’s not alot of BMX about but I do know Povah grew up here, random fact!

Were you one of those self taught kids that learned Cad programs before you got into school or did you go into knowing nothing?

I learnt CAD in my final years at school and kind of carried on with it once at university, the hardest thing was finding a program I liked and taking it further, I currently use Solidworks but am thinking about moving to Pro Engineer or at least widening my skill base with it.

How is it balancing school, a job, a girl, and BMX?

It’s ok I guess, it can be pretty hard from time to time, sometimes sacrifices and priorities have to be made. For the most part I think I do pretty well given the circumstances, my girl is very supportive and understanding when I get stressed out etc so that helps. Seventies are also very understanding when I have school deadlines, I think without that understanding it would be impossible, so I’m lucky to have such a great group of people around me.

What’s your advice for kids looking to do what you do?

If you’re into BMX and Engineering/ product design them you’re pretty much set, just try and take your education with it as far as you can and make yourself known to companies. Opportunies and openings are rare in the industry, so you have to be prepared to go looking for them and grab them when they come along.

Thanks:

I just want to say a huge thanks to Stu for taking a chance with me. Also thanks to my Mum, Dad, Grandma and Grandad, Anna, Bas, Edd, Elwood, all the Seventies crew, the Federal team, all my university friends, the 22 guys both past and present, the Tip Plus guys, Rich, all our worldwide distros and finally to Harrison for this opportunity!

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