Design IQ Ltd

25/03/2026

Fascinating day of researching what it’s like to be a wheelchair user at Naidex today.
I’ve been fascinated by the idea of how to create better Luggage options for wheelchair users- and this Show gave me an opportunity to do some concentrated research, check out ideas and listen to users experiences and feedback.
I’m so grateful to all the people I spoke to who shared their experiences.
We have come up with some sharp ideas how to make things easier for wheelchair users now. 


16/03/2026

Our customers are the sort of people who spot market opportunities for new bag businesses’s and then come to us to ask us to bring that idea to life.
Recently, one of our customers went on Dragons Den in the UK and promoted her range of stylish ladies doctors bags - here is our blog all about how we designed such lovely women’s work bags.

Stylish work and functional bags for women, designed by Design‑IQ and presented by IYASU business owner Dr Catherine Fernando on Dragons' Den in 2026.

12/03/2026

An incredibly proud moment seeing one of my clients pitch on Dragons’ Den last week.
The Dragons had some fantastic comments on the products and designs.
As the designer behind the bags, it was great to hear that feedback on such a big stage. While she didn’t secure investment this time, huge credit to Dr Catherine Fernando for going into the Den and backing her idea. Loved working on this project and bringing it to life.

When a brand steps onto the Dragons’ Den stage, it’s more than a pitch - it’s a national showcase of vision, craftsmanship, and commercial potential. Seeing our client Iyasu Bags present products we helped design was a proud moment for Design IQ.

06/03/2026

An incredibly proud moment watching one of my clients pitch on Dragons’ Den last night. The Dragons had fantastic things to say about the products and the design work - with , and Peter Jones all highlighting the level of detail, craftsmanship and thought that went into the bags.
As the bag designer behind the collection, it was amazing to hear that feedback on such a big stage. Even though investment wasn’t secured this time, huge credit goes to Dr Catherine Fernando and for stepping into the Den and championing her vision for a fashionable, functional doctors’ bag for women.
This project has been a joy to work on — over 48+ months of development, prototyping and production — and seeing it showcased on national TV was a real thrill.
Tell your Doctor friends to check this out! https://iyasubags.com/

05/03/2026

Are you a budding Bag and luggage Entrepreneur?

We're a custom bag and luggage design studio, who sit at the junction of Design and Manufacturing.
Our bag design projects are often under wraps. But now it's time to lift the lid!

From urban commute bags to travel luggage, see some of our latest creations:
• Commute bags for city dwellers
• Travel luggage for adventurers
• Mothers bags
• Pets bags and so much more
Check out our updated portfolio and get inspired!

Here at Design IQ we love designing new products - here are some examples from our general portfolio.These are examples of a variety of different design ideas

05/03/2026

Design IQ are the bridge between Design and Prototypes but most of our work is Confidential so our work is often a secret!
But we're updating it now! Take a peek!

From urban commuter bags to travel luggage, see what we can do:
• Backpacks
• Duffel bags
• Mothers Bags
• Travel Luggage
• Travel accessories & more!

Check out our updated portfolio
https://www.design-iq-ltd.com/portfolio/

20/02/2026

Every project we do is a custom (and often confidential) job for clients - so it's sometimes difficult to show the breadth of what we can design and make. So we thought it was about time we updated the general Portfolio on the Design IQ web site!
From Urban commuting bags to Travel luggage we have the experience to create so many different types of bags and luggage. Here are some examples just to give you a taster. https://www.design-iq-ltd.com/portfolio/

29/01/2026

Do you want to start your own bag accessories business? There are some basic steps and here is a guide…..

This guide by Guy Mathiot, of Design IQ, explains the complete bag design and development process, from first idea to factory-ready product.

06/11/2025

How much does it cost?!
Every time we receive a sales enquiry - we know that the caller would love to know "how much it will cost". Well of course it's really difficult to give cost estimates until we get a design briefing!
But we have an unusual approach - and give rough idea of average costs up-front....we think this is a positive and helpful approach and in all honesty if the customer cannot afford it at least we have saved us all a lot of time, and may have helped the potential customer with their planning regardless of whether they come to us to create their products.
The Design fees though are in fact only a small part of the investment it takes to launch a new brand. So we have written a Blog to just give a 'baseline' idea of 'how much it will cost' to try and help entrepreneurs on their journey of exploration.

Here’s what you’ll need to invest in to start your own bag and accessories brand - from design and production to promotion and sales.

10/10/2025

Well, did you know it's National Handbag Day?! To celebrate this most versatile of working bags here is one of our favourite handbags we designed for a client.

Dr Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) was the first woman to qualify as a doctor in the USA, graduating first in her class in 1849. She was the first female to be registered by the GMC to practice medicine in the UK in 1959. Amongst her many remarkable lifetime achievements Elizabeth founded The New Yo...

09/10/2025

Protecting your product design is something we all know is important - but is it better to race to grab market share with a new idea or fashion Look - or spend a lot of time and money on making your product design legally secure before launching it? It can be a tough call. Here is my Blog on the reality of protecting your company's product designs.

Protecting your designs is not the same as registering designs. To learn how to protect your bag and accessories design, start here...