Brink Designs – District 9000 Sponsor Spotlight

2022-08-08

Please tell us briefly about your background.

Professionally, I studied Industrial Design and worked as an Industrial/Product designer with a focus on laser cutting, 3d printing, and resin casting for two companies before heading off on my own.

Hobby, I started playing tabletop games when I was 18 with my first game being Warhammer 40K. From there I tried my hand at Kings of War, Dreadfleet, Necromunda, Warhammer Underworlds, and most recently DM-ing a D&D campaign and Infinity.

What does your company specialise in?

In short, Laser Cut Tabletop Gaming Accessories.

I design, manufacture, and retail my own line of laser cut accessories for a variety of tabletop games. This includes both products that you see directly on the table, i.e. terrain, as well as your back-end products such paint racks, painting handles, etc.

What is the origin story of your company?

Unofficially, Brink Designs started back in 2014. I was a second year Industrial Design student that had recently started playing Warhammer 40 000. As with most wargamers I wanted my own table filled with terrain but could not really afford it. I did, however, have access to CAD software and a laser cutter. So, I set about designing and making my own. Fast forward to 2021, I am stuck at a dead-end job with a terrible boss who is essentially trying to force me out. So, I quit with no plan of what to do next. Now, almost a year later, I have Brink Designs up and running with a catalogue of 30 items and counting.

Game Box DM screen
Game Box Army Storage
Game Box Playing Board
Game Box Wall storage

Do you play any games? Which are your favourites and why?

Yes. Currently Warhammer 40K, Necromunda, Infinity, and D&D and I’m planning on finishing my army for Kings of War early 2023.

My favourite is D&D. I’ve always been a big fan of the narrative more than the strategy.

If you weren’t working at your company, what would you be doing?

Probably be stuck designing at some commercial engineering firm.

What would you like to achieve with your company?

Short term, stability. To get to a point that I don’t have to worry about being able to make all of my payments at the end of the month.

Long term, to break the international market.

Which achievement of your company are you proudest of to date?

The fact that I took the leap of faith and started.

What technologies are you currently most excited about, and most worried about? And why?

Excited, the obvious answer would be laser cutting, but the technology is already 50 years old. Other than that, SLS printing. I’m planning on expanding to resin cast miniatures in the future.

Worried, anything that easily allows someone to copy what I’m doing, so high-end, vector scanners.

Why did you agree to work with the District 9000 event?

Two reasons. Because I plan to play the games that I design for. It helps me design better products. Showing up at an event like D9K shows that I stand behind my approach and my product.

Then, this is a brand-new company. I can use all the exposure and marketing that I can get.

What advice would you give to the 21-year-old version of yourself?

You’re not special. In the corporate world, everyone is replaceable. So do what you enjoy and what makes you unique.

Are you planning on joining any conventions or events where people can come and meet you?

D9K (obviously) but I’ll be playing, so I’ll be mostly available to talk in between games.

I’m a vendor at ComicCon Africa (22-25 September). You can find me in The Block.

I’m looking at securing a vendor spot at rAge (9-11 December)

Where can we see your work and products?

Website – https://www.bdterrain.com