The aim of this blog is to focus on the design and function of medical and general goods, supply chain operations and business trends in the defence industry. I have decided to focus on these areas as they are connected to my professional and academic life. Both have enabled me to explore an interest in the defence market and have opened me up to researching and experiencing how the supply chain operates. In order to capture the concepts I have learnt, and continue to learn, I have decided that a blog would provide the freedom to discuss these topics more informally – acting as both an archive and a trail of thought which support my understanding of the defence industry. Adding to this intention, I hope the blog will be beneficial in the long-run, helping to organise my thoughts more clearly whilst attempting to build my career to a professional standard.

Why design and defence? I have both an Art History Degree (BA Hons) and a Masters in International Development: Globalisation, Trade and industry (MSc). Whilst a student in Manchester UK, I wrote extensively about creative practice and later on grew to appreciate the experience between user and product itself , or rather, the connection formed through aesthetics and usability. After graduating with an Art History degree I worked in commercial firms and decided to escalate my knowledge to something more grounded in  trading relations, hence the masters course choice. I focused specifically on supply chains, defence logistics and work and employment in the global economy which culminated by writing a dissertation on the subject of the logistics value chain in Mombasa, Kenya.

Since graduating I have taken a position within the supply chain/logistics field at a private company. Whilst this has been encouraging in ensuring that I have a practical skill-set, I believe that it is also important to have a broader knowledge that can aid my understanding in the long-term. My current job position allows me to work in a team-based environment in which I can see how work is assigned at certain times in order to execute an action for commercial effect. There is a life-cycle at work in this environment that can be consistently adapted, updated and improved upon which I find quite interesting. In order to expand this interest, I’m looking to learn more about the operations, capabilities, structures and systems which support product and process life-cycles – essentially beyond the 9-5 working hours that I’m accustomed too in my current job position.

‘Wear and Tear’ is a title that I’ve had in mind for this website for over three years. Initially the title was led by my research when I was studying at under-graduate level, but has since gained more meaning as my academic and professional life has grown. It is meant to encompass much of the broader themes of supply chain operations e.g. products that have their own aesthetics, functions and life-cycles alongside a logistical support structure which aids the supply of these goods to the buyer. More broadly, it’s the idea that every object and design that is touched has it’s own importance and disposability based on the user’s/buyers/customers experience with the object itself.

Contact Details:
E: jonlewisbottomley@gmail.com
T: https://twitter.com/jonbottomley123