We are delighted to announce that the winner of the “Designing for the Future” competition is BA (Hons) 3D Design second year student, Harry Trimble.
Harry won first prize in The Future Perfect Company and University of Brighton competition to encourage designers to think about the challenges that an ageing population presents – and to create innovative, attractive and aspirational designs that inspire people to continue to live enjoyable, active and independent lives as they get older.
Having observed parents in their 50s and early 60s playing “rough and tumble” games with their four year old twins, Harry came up with an interactive play and exercise mat with accompanying storybook which encourages young and old to play and exercise together.
This was one of the most innovative designs, not least because it was inspired by looking at the needs of the customer group first rather than re-working an existing product. It also challenges how we think about older people and what we expect their lifestyles to be like. It is forward looking to an older population who are likely to be healthier, living longer and having more contact with children, whether their own or their grandchildren.
We thought it would make the perfect activity to be kept as a treat at Grandma’s house!
The competition received entries from three year groups of Product Design and 3D Design students at the University of Brighton and was judged by Anne Boddington, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Philippa Aldrich, founder of The Future Perfect Company, Gretel Jones, consumer markets policy adviser at Age UK and BBC Two’s Design for Life finalist, Mike Cloke.
Mike Cloke commented: “The standard of entries was excellent. The students approached the brief from many different angles, which made it a very difficult competition to judge, but an exciting one to be involved with!”
We will be posting details about some of the other designs over the next few weeks. In the meantime, we would love to hear your views about Harry’s design.