Showcase 2025 Student Spotlight: Josh Kingsbury
Student Spotlight featuring BA (Hons) Product Design student Josh Kingsbury and his project 'FORM'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 15 April 2025
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The Project
FORM is a wearable posture monitoring system designed to help cyclists improve riding posture, ride more efficiently and support their long-term spinal health. Discreetly worn beneath the jersey as a lightweight chest and waist strap, FORM uses integrated motion sensors to monitor upper and lower back alignment in real-time.
The system provides subtle haptic feedback during rides, gently prompting the rider to realign and maintain optimal posture. After each session, a companion app provides deeper analysis, empowering riders to make meaningful adjustments and understand how their form evolves over time.
FORM turns posture into actionable insight, blending thoughtful design with intuitive technology to support better riding, both now and in the long term.
FORM is a wearable posture monitoring system designed to help cyclists improve riding posture.
The inspiration behind the project
As a keen cyclist, Josh had developed an interest in the ways technology can be used to enhance physical performance. He noticed that, while there is a growing focus on metrics like power and heart rate, posture - a key contributor to both performance and long-term comfort - is often overlooked.
This insight became personal when Josh had to deal with back injuries himself. "It made me aware of how easily poor posture can lead to fatigue, discomfort, and long-term strain, especially during repetitive activities like cycling," he says. "Primary research revealed that 20.3% of riders have also experienced back issues, reinforcing the need for a solution that supports posture and promotes better riding habits."
That experience and insight sparked the idea for FORM: a wearable that not only helps riders fine-tune their form in real-time but also builds their long-term awareness around posture and movement.
Josh was inspired after dealing with back injuries as a cyclist.
The project experience
For Josh, it was exciting to work on a product about which he is genuinely passionate. He says: "Having such a strong personal connection to the problem gave me that extra motivation each day to keep pushing the project forward and strive for a meaningful outcome.
"It’s been incredibly rewarding to bring together all the skills I’ve developed over the past few years - not just to complete a project, but to create something that feels considered, purposeful, and genuinely valuable to its users. FORM allowed me to explore a space that aligns with both my personal interests and design strengths, while challenging me to think critically, design purposefully, and deliver a refined, user-centred solution."
Josh Kingsbury - BA (Hons) Product Design
Being part of NTU
Josh says: "My time at NTU has been a transformative journey - one that’s shaped not just my skills, but my entire mindset as a designer. Looking back, I wouldn’t recognise the designer I was when I started. From uncertain first-year sketches to confidently delivering fully resolved design solutions, the growth has been massive.
"Working across a wide range of projects has challenged me to think critically and adapt quickly, giving me the opportunity to refine core skills like concept development, prototyping, testing, and visual communication in increasingly challenging and meaningful ways.
"Landing my placement year was a major highlight of my time at NTU. It added a valuable layer of real-world understanding and was a key turning point in boosting my confidence and capability as a designer. It gave me the chance to apply what I’d learned in a fast-paced, professional environment and really sharpened my ability to design with purpose and the user in mind. I’m especially grateful to the NTU tutors and employability team for their guidance and support in helping me secure that opportunity."
Closing remarks
As well as encouraging students to do a placement year, Josh has the following advice for future Product Design students: "Throw yourself into it. Take every opportunity that comes your way, whether it’s presenting your work, going to a talk, or speaking to someone in industry. The more you put into the experience, the more you’ll get out of it."