University of Dundee graduate Steve Swanton’s Lux Light, designed to help those affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The lamp is described as “a SAD lamp to make you smile”|Mediumwave by Jake Rich from London’s Kingston University – a challenge to the archetype of the microwave|The Sling Step by Royal College of Art alumni Matej Chabera uses basic physics to create a small ladder that functions without glue, nails or screws. The more it’s used the stronger it becomes|A Perspective on Dots by Meggan Johnson from Buckinghamshire University. The art installation uses perspex dots to create a concept that could be used for signage|No Right Angles in Nature: Josh Plough, also from Buckinghamshire University, created shelving from locally coppiced beach and a recycled plastic bottle as his take on 21st century craft|OysterActive) OysterActive: Nora Mekavuthikul from Central Saint Martins’ “on-the-go gym” combines wearable fitness technology with an Oyster Card that gives travel discounts every time someone takes the stairs||
Six design graduates from across the UK have been selected have been selected to take part in a new exhibition by flooring company Desso called, ‘Best in Class’.
The exhibits range from a lamp designed to combat SAD syndrome and shelving made from locally-coppiced Beech and plastic bottles to an ‘archetype-challenging’ microwave and an Oyster card that acts as an on-the-go gym. The ‘best of the best’ will be voted for by the public via an online microsite, and the winner will be presented with a £500 cheque. The results are due to be announced at the end of December. Each design, according to Desso, elevates the “ordinary” to the “extraordinary”.
In keeping with this theme, Desso will be hosting a Celebration of Design on 2 December, hosted by the Design Museum award’s shortlisted Adrian Westaway. The Special-Projects founder will discuss the key factors shaping the design world – today and in the future – and how technology is making the ordinary extraordinary.
Westaway was made the first ever James Dyson Fellow in 2007 and designed the interactive Lego Calendar that was shortlisted for the Design Museum ‘Product of the Year 2014’. He is a member of the Magic Circle and has tutored at the Royal College of Art, Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design and Queen Mary University in London and has worked with consumer electronic brands including Samsung, Nokia and Blackberry.
