Previous winners

Carman Mak and Cheung Kai Chu 

School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Design: CiggyStop - Smoking Hub for the Blue Sky

Smoking bans are executed in many places around the world. The most recent and with the most impact on us is the smoke-free policy in Hong Kong. It was observed that outdoor air quality became much worse than before the execution. It is understood that second-hand smoke can affect non-smokers in the city, but smokers should not be looked at as criminals. CiggyStop is a design solution accommodating these concerns.

Trees breathe in our carbon dioxide and recycle it into oxygen - this is the cycle of nature. CiggyStop metaphorically projects this natural phenomenon in urbanism: not only does it filter the second-hand smoke into fresh air, but also provides a brand new outdoor smoking experience to the smokers that will not contribute to air pollution.

Many smokers were observed to gather outside the entrances of shopping complexes and office buildings. The placements of CiggyStops are targeted in these areas including designated smoking areas in public parks.

Two sets of air curtains will be situated in the outer top part of the structure. Separation of smoke can be done with these air curtains. The system will then turn the area into negative pressure that stops the smoke from going outside. According to the natural theory, airflow from where air pressure is positive to where it is negative. This flow is regulated so that it can always maintain slightly negative air pressure inside the smoking area. The filtration system will then take in the smoke and through three stages of filtering, will then release clean air.

CiggyStop is only activated by integrated motion sensors, to reduce high energy consumption. It was calculated that the energy consumption level of CiggyStop is equivalent to four 100W lightbulbs. At most, it will consume 400W of energy. To further reduce the cost of energy bills, CiggyStop also offer advertisement space rental.

The design of CiggyStop is aimed to create a better world for us and our next generation to live in, as many concerns have arisen related to environmental issues. CiggyStop is designed uniquely with such considerations, where both the environment and the people today is the priority. People are both able to enjoy cleaner air and accommodate to this transitional period of smoking bans.

Frag Woodall  

Industrial Design, University of Technology, Sydney

Design: Everglide

An integrated solution for personal mobility

Everglide addresses an intrinsic and inseparable link between personal transport - getting yourself around - and personal effects management - getting your belongings around with you. It achieves this by holistically integrating both movement and storage solutions.

Increasing global debate on issues, such as peak oil; traffic congestion; urban density; and increasing obesity has led to a shifting mentality towards alternative mobility solutions. If this new mentality is not embraced, our cities will suffer economically, environmentally and socially. Many sectors of community are calling for change, therefore the next generation of products must be smarter and more environmentally responsible in order to meet the real needs of society.

Everglide provides an alternate mobility option to the private car by operating as an infill mode of transport that seamlessly assimilates with other forms of sustainable transport such as buses and trains. It comprises a compact and lightweight profile with the ability to morph between three different states. Thus movement habits are no longer inhibited by a singular mode of transport; Everglide is as much at home on the cycleway as it is in the elevator.

Everglide has been designed for the ‘last-mile’ – the short distance between home, public transport and the end destination. It is an active-based device promoting physical activity, with three key functional attributes: the ability to be wheeled like airport luggage, backpacked (with or without the cycle) and cycled (with the pack connected or disconnected). The underlying design principle combines the widest set of personal mobility options with the widest set of personal storage options. Everglide can act as a complementary or stand-alone transport mode, thus promoting flexible alternatives to private car use.

The bicycle is powered by a shaft drive mechanism which is light weight and compact, making it a clean, smart drive solution. Everglide demonstrates innovative design in many areas, but particularly through its unique collapsing central bottom bracket. Releasing the central locking lever simultaneously affects three key actions: the frame is split so that the bicycle can be folded; it disengages the shaft drive gears in order for it to function in free-wheel mode; and it disengages the pedals so they can be folded into the pack.

Mr David King 

School of Design, Faculty of Technology, Southampton Solent University

Design: 'Where Ever' portable toilet system

The ‘Where Ever’ PFT is a unique toilet system. The ‘Where Ever’ toilet literally enables the user to go the toilet, wherever! The toilet is made of rigid corrugated plastic making the design ultra light weight. In order to use the toilet simply pop it out insert one of the pre- fabricated bags and away you go. Once finished the unique folding mechanism seals the bag and is ready to be disposed of cleanly and safely.

The current problems faced within festival toilets are obvious to anyone who has attended a major UK festival. The main problem is the shear number of people and the amount of waste produced as a consequence. This in turn creates a very unhygienic situation within the current toilets available.

In addition to this target market, the unique design enables it to be used in many different situations - from emergency use when driving and travelling, to frequent use when camping or caravanning. It also has the potential to be used by the government in disaster situations, the light weight flat packed design enable hundreds to be packed into a small space allowing distribution into specific areas very easily. There is also another market which most people would struggle to realise, unless they knew someone who was directly affected, this market is for people with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Everybody with IBS knows what it is like to be caught short without a toilet, but this product will enable peace of mind in those emergency situations.

Research into the festival area has been drawn from personal experience; testimonials from other festival goers; books and websites, each one giving the same reaction when researched into about the current toilet situation at festivals. The way the toilet is produced makes the overall structure very strong, but at the same time extremely light and flexible. The toilet is only made from one sheet of corrugated polypropylene, and all the materials used with in the design are 100% recyclable or biodegradable.

Joe Hall 

BA (Hons) Product Design, Nottingham Trent University

Design: Stool/domestic composter

The ‘Stool’ is designed to be used as seating for indoors and out. The padding on the seat is removable so that it can be cleaned or replaced for a new one. The user has a range of colours and patterns to choose from depending on the Stool’s location and, or progress of decomposition.

The ‘tool is designed for the decomposition of domestic organic kitchen waste with the use of worms. One of the advantages that the Stool has over normal compost bins is that it can be located indoors and outdoors. This is due to its size and the very little smell produced by the wormery.

Lee Higginbottom 

BA (Hons) Product Design, Nottingham Trent University

Design: FAST-TRAX Child Restraint

The fast trax child restraint is aimed towards offering an easier and more comfortable process of accessing children from the car’s environment. It is targeted at the nine months to four-year-old child (group 1) where issues regarding accessibility are at their greatest.

The restraint offers a more convenient way of accessing the child, whilst also making the process easier, faster and not as awkward for the parent/child carer.

Matt Jackson 

BA (Hons) Product Design, Nottingham Trent University

Design: Gribe - tennis training aid

The brief was to design a training aid which will assist in teaching young children the initial basics of the correct grip when learning to play tennis.

A light source from the product shines down the length of the handle. this locates the correct positioning of each hand they need on the racquet whenever they need reminding.

It provides:

• visual stimulation for the correct grip of a forehand or backhand stroke
• a rubberised exterior to ensure the device is protected at all time
• timed light switch so the user is not distracted during use.

Richard Bullen 

BA (Hons) Product Design, Nottingham Trent University

Design: Splash – cermaic DAB radio

Aims

• To produce a stylish and practical product made from ceramic, the design will be to suit the ceramic future market - as well as modern day markets it should push the boundary of the market sector.
• To create a design that can be seen as a focal point in the home and have it integrated with functional use. To give the user a maximum experience from the product.

The form of the complete unit took inspiration from the splash of water. The DAB radio offers all the features required having the full experience and control over what digital radio has to offer.

Rowen Wagner 

Industrial Design, University of Technology, Sydney

Design: entile

entile is an interactive educational and developmental toy which is truly beneficial and ultimately entertaining. Primarily aimed for use by young children in childcare services, these illuminating pressure-sensitive tiles interlock and cover any floor space.

Children interact with the system through play - jumping; skipping; matching colours; number sequences; 2D-constructio; and more. This versatile system is designed to target and build specific developmental skills such as cognitive learning; gross/fine motor development; social/emotional growth; coordination; creativity; and physical expression. Few educational toys for young children target and develop specific skills and learning objectives. An even smaller minority are entertaining in the long term, and no systems currently on the market have the ability to target changing user needs.

entile is a product which represents design excellence through its innovation in areas of interaction; versatility; developmental benefits; and the ability to upgrade/expand. The system includes 12 interactive tiles; induction-charging rack; remote control; and computer program. Once installed on an existing PC, the computer communicates information via WIFI-technology to the tiles, acting as an output device for an endless array of activities and games. As the young children step, jump, hop and dance, the OLED panel within beams a frosted ambiance of coloured light under the tile surface. Lithium-polymer batteries allow these wireless tiles to function for 8-10 hours - they can then be charged whilst laid-out or docked in the rack for charging/storage.

Will Barker 

BA (Hons) Product Design, Nottingham Trent University

Design: Portable cooking unit

The 2020Cooker is a future kitchen concept that aims to combat an expected influx of smaller living spaces in forthcoming years. This portable cooking unit has been carefully developed to maximise space in new-build apartments and houses. The 2020Cooker has been designed to fulfil our future needs for modular and dynamic systems whilst providing an exciting new culinary concept.

Powered by emerging silver-zinc technologies, the 2020Cooker can be easily moved around the home. Owners can cook in front of guests or simply whilst watching TV. The unit houses a mini-fridge, plate warmers, storage areas, 2 induction hobs and a microwave oven. Each cooker is available in a number of different specifications and colour styles.