For the first time in its 22-year history, “Security” has been chosen as the theme of the Design Innovation in Plastics Award.
Security Installer magazine was pleased to be the official media partner for the 2007 event of this oldest established student plastics design competition in Europe.
Six finalists from a record number of 102 entrants have been selected by a judging panel composed of specialists in product design, crime prevention, security and plastics, including Alex Carmichael, the BSIA’s Director of Technical and Membership Support Services.
Competition entries ranged from: biometric entry systems, tagging and clip devices, personal security and communication systems to sports protection and smart mattresses.
“The overall standard of entries this year has been exceptionally high” said Martin Sixsmith, Director, Bayer MaterialScience, UK/Ireland.
“I have been impressed with the students’ rationale as well as their concepts based around the brief.”
UK product and engineering design students were challenged to create an inspiring design for a product or system related directly or indirectly to security using polymers and high performance plastics from the Bayer MaterialScience portfolio as the predominant materials.
They were asked to consider the key elements of concept, design and production in a “fresh and meaningful way” through the appropriate use of plastics materials and to indicate an understanding of sustainability issues in terms of its environmental and social impact.
“The broad range of entries provoked constructive debate amongst the judges who were looking for both novel and creative thinking” commented Simon Browning, PDD.
Added Security Installer editor, Alan Hyder: “We were delighted to be the media partner for this year’s award. The finalists interpreted the word ‘security’ to cover a wide area, not limited to traditional security concepts. Designs could become popular products of the future.”
Finalists chosen
The six finalists who entries impressed the judges the most were:
Judging panel
On the judging panel were:
Joint organisers
The Design Innovation in Plastics Award is co-organised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and the Worshipful Company of Horners.
The 2007 headline sponsor from industry is Bayer MaterialScience, a sub-group of Bayer AG, one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and high performance plastics, whose support included a plastics roadshow which toured universities giving students a unique opportunity to receive face-to-face advice about their entries and offering information about plastics materials and processing.
The London Metropolitan Polymer Centre also treated entrants to a day of lectures on plastics design and an opportunity to operate plastics processing machinery.
Another special feature of this competition is the feedback given to entrants by the judges, enabling the students to fine-tune their designs for the final judging stage.
First prize is GB pound 1,000 plus an expenses paid placement with Bayer MaterialScience in Germany and GB pound 500 for the winner’s university or college. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held on June 29 2007 at the IOM3 headquarters in London.
