Success for NTU Product Design students in the FIT Design Awards 2024
Two BSc (Hons) Product Design graduates win at the FIT Design Awards 2024 having been recognised for their innovate sports equipment and apparel design.
By Antonio Cuyas | Published on 11 July 2024
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
Two NTU BSc (Hons) Product Design graduates, Harry Bureau and Tom McNeill, were awarded with FIT Design Awards in the 2024 international competition. The FIT Design Awards are renowned for looking for ground-breaking sports innovations, sustainable products, performance-enhancing solutions that provide comfort for athletes or everyday players, and practices that have a positive environmental impact. Each entry was judged on a wide range criteria including:
- Aesthetics - form, shape, colour, texture, finishing, the material used, etc.
- Innovation - does the apparel/gear provide something new to the market or supplement/improve an existing product?
- Practicality/Functionality - ease of cleaning, safety, repairs, maintenance etc.
- Durability - the quality and longevity of the product, is it adaptable to extreme conditions?
- Impact - the benefit delivered to the athlete, does it increase performance, or increase comfort, etc?
- Ecological compatibility - potential environmental and/or ecological impact, local produce, repair circle, materials used.
- Emotional quotient - in addition to fulfilling its practical purpose, does the apparel/gear create a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction?
Harry Bureau was a winner in Sport Equipment Design / Ball Sports category. Harry designed EDU-TACKLE based on his passion for rugby and his desire to address the topic of concussion within the sport.
EDU-TACKLE – Harry Bureau
Concussion has become a significant concern in rugby, with a rising number of incidents being recorded. To address this issue, EDU-TACKLE was developed as an innovative solution: an educational tackle bag attachment. This product effectively teaches proper tackle technique while instilling confidence in players.
Having been asked his thoughts after winning the award, Harry stated:
“After playing playing rugby my whole life and witnessing the emerging issues with head injuries, I became very passionate about tackling the growing problem of concussion and head trauma within the sport. My interest in rugby helped me immerse myself in the project and I really enjoyed finding a solution to the current problem.
EDU-TACKLE is an educational product that attaches to an existing tackle bag, helping players who are being introduced to contact rugby learn the correct tackle technique. This is done by using contact zones to help players understand where each body part should go when making a tackle.
It has been an amazing honour to receive this award as I feel recognition for all the hard work I put into this. I would like to thank everyone who helped in creating a product that I’m very proud of!”
Tom McNeill was a winner in the Sport Equipment Design / Mountaineering, Climbing, Hiking category. Tom designed Lead Solo to be one of the first mechanical, affordable, and trusting lead auto-belay devices.
Lean Solo – Tom McNeill
Lead climbing is a complex but popular style of indoor climbing, which is the next step from top-rope which all climbers learn on. Extensive research suggests that climber’s distrust auto-belays due to a lack of understanding, therefore Lead Solo is designed to be simple and easy to understand for users, benefiting all climbers and gyms across the globe.
Reflecting on his award, Tom said:
"I am grateful (and a little surprised!) to have received the FIT Design Award in the Mountaineering, Climbing and Hiking category. Climbing has for many years been a big passion of mine, and I'm thrilled to have received recognition for my final major project in this area.
Designing the product Lead Solo was such an enjoyable experience, that it makes it all the more exciting to now be receiving external awards for the design. As a product, Lead Solo is a purely mechanical auto-belay, that gives climbers the opportunity to lead climb without the need for a belay partner, and offer flexible, affordable, and safe lead climbing, where it is not currently available."
Dr Joseph Stewart, Course Leader for the BSc (Hons) Product Design course shared his excitement:
"Tom and Harry's success at the FIT Sport Design Awards is testament to unwavering commitment throughout their studies at NTU, culminating in excellent Final Year projects. The strength of our student's work and subsequent recognition from the international design community cements the BSc (Hons) Product Design course's reputation as one of the very best."
From everyone at the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment (ADBE) and NTU, a huge congratulations to both Harry and Tom.
Learn more about their designs by visiting the Fit Design Website: