Student Plastics Design Award finalists show both talent and potential

The results of the preliminary judging session of the 2015 ‘Design Innovation in Plastics’ student award have revealed an impressive range of products, with seven selected to go through to the final in London tomorrow (3rd July).

The competition saw 118 submissions from universities throughout the UK, with students challenged to transpose a product traditionally made in metal into plastics, exploiting the benefits of polymers in a fresh and innovative way.

“I am impressed by the wide range of products inspired by the brief,” said Richard Brown, Managing Director at G&A Moulding Technology and Chairman of the judging panel.

A benefit of the Award is that, unlike other competitions, not only the winner, but also every finalist, is awarded a work placement with the industry and design sponsors of the competition. “Most students consider this prize to be of more value than cash in their pockets,” said Syvlia Katz, Awards Co-Ordinator.

The winner will receive a cash prize of £1,000, as well as work placements with both Bayer MaterialScience in Leverkusen, Germany, and PriestmanGoode, the leading global design and brand experience agency specialising in aviation, transport and product design.

All three top winners and the three highly commended students will receive cash prizes and either training courses or placements with other award sponsors and leading companies in the field of design and manufacturing.

In addition, all finalists will be offered post-award mentoring support with the goal of helping them take their design ideas closer to commercial realisation, and a year’s free membership of IOM3.

BP&R magazine will be reporting live from the ceremony tomorrow and will announce the winner when revealed. Below, we highlight the designs that have made it through to the final:

Wham Polymer Hammer - a shock absorbing, non-conductive and non sparking hammer constructed from interlocking sections of polymers with different impact absorption properties. Designed by Martyn Billings, Coventry University.

Soft Ice S Pump - a redesign of the steel R Pump currently fitted to existing Carpigiani soft ice cream machines, designed by Alexander Bordino, Nottingham Trent University. 

Wash Away Cataract Kit - tools to help surgeons in Third World countries treat a greater number of patients needing cataract surgery. The tool heads are moulded in water soluble PVoH allowing them to be ‘washed away’, making sterilisation unnecessary. Designed by Megan Cattley, University of Northumbria.

Polymer TV Antenna - an antenna with innovative installation features and a housing made of ECP (Electrically Conducting Polymer). Designed by Robert Miller, University of Northumbria. 

Easykeys - extension keys that will make wind instruments such as the concert flute and saxophone easier to use and more child friendly. Designed by Roisin Keyes, Dublin Institute of Technology. IMAGE 6

Oxyturtle Scuba Tank - a redesign of the standard metal diving tank moulded in glass reinforced polypropylene. Designed by Panayiotis Vrizas, London South Bank University.