Just because it is functional doesn't mean it cannot look attractive and different.

That is the philosophy of David Turner, who is currently redesigning the aesthetics of the humble CCTV camera for commercial and heritage sites and the asthmatic inhaler for the medical industry.

‘‘Our belief is that we can create functional design concepts for spaces, products and furniture that not only solves the design problem, but also excites and entertains the user,’’ said David, founder of Turner & Son, a product design company based at York St John University's Phoenix Centre in Lord Mayor's Walk.

‘‘We use our imagination, creativity and design skills to question designs you see around you all the time, to create a new product or service that can improve the user's experience.’’ David is entering The Young Business Entrepreneur category of The Press Business Awards 2013.

‘‘Over the last year we have produced some innovative products and worked with professional clients within the medical, security and hospitality market,’’ he said.

‘‘We also love to work with local business to improve their business through good design.

‘‘For example, we have designed a beer garden completely out of abandoned pallets for Gibson's in Micklegate. It was paramount that it was built on low budget and we came up with the idea of using pallets.

‘‘This innovative solution meant all of the material was free. It was a perfect solution to the problem and the space generated profit as soon as it opened.

‘‘This design has not only promoted us and Gibson's but also York. There is nothing like this within the area and I hope it will become a design icon, setting a trend for future outdoor spaces within the hospitality and leisure trade.’’

David's business was formerly known as Scruffy Dog Design, but he soon recognised it was not suitable and he came up with Turner & Son, the name of a business run by his grandfather many years ago in Whitby.

He is about to open a pop-up shop in Dunfermline, having sourced the finest designs from upcoming designers and small-scale manufacturers in North Yorkshire, as well as his own range of products.

‘‘We want to continue the pop-up shop concept and bring it home to York and really show off the design talent North Yorkshire has to offer,’’ he said.