Pupil's kettle is design of the future

Designing for the Future, run by Horsham-based The Future Perfect Company, encourages student designers to think about the challenges affecting our ageing population – and to create innovative and attractive designs which allow older people to continue to live meaningful, enjoyable, active and independent lives.

This year’s winner, A level student Lara Smith, designed the ‘Metamo Kettle’. The kettle was designed for people with stability issues, featuring a tipping function and ‘ball & socket’ pouring mechanism. The Designing for the Future judges were impressed with the multisensory and inclusive design.

Joint second prize went to Guy Mannion and Jacob Hamilton. Guy designed a toothbrush designed for people with arthritis. Jacob created a beautiful docking station with phone charging and storage function.

Aston Beagle, Holly Silvester and Andrew Gardner were highly commended. Their designs included a universal prosthetic foot, multi tool for kitchen and bathroom and an accessory for keys.

The winners receive cash prizes and all the entrants will be invited to join the Designing for the Future network which supports and promotes alumni from the project.

Kate Sharp, head of faculty for arts and communication at Collyer’s, said: “I think this year saw the best entries yet – all were highly marketable products and all were 100% fit for purpose.

“The final design proposals and prototypes were highly desirable items that would appeal to a much wider audience than just the target groups.

“I was really impressed that the aesthetic qualities in each design made for truly inclusive products. The presentations the students gave at each design stage and to the final judging panel were impressive, not only with the quality of their work, but also their assured confidence. This real world experience is a fantastic opportunity for our learners and I look forward to next year’s competition.”

Judges this year included Philippa Aldrich and Molly Aldrich-Wincer from The Future Perfect Company and Marie Harris from Beta Futures.

Next year Designing for the Future is set to include older ‘experts’ from Beta Futures’ 50+ Skills Exchange Club which will add a further intergenerational dimension to the project.

Marie Harris said: “We are delighted to be working with Designing for the Future and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the judging team. I think that this intergenerational initiative will pay huge dividends to the whole community.”

Molly Aldrich-Wincer said: “The competition has been running for 6 years now. One element that is currently missing is market research with older people who are potential users of the products that the students create. With an ageing demographic it is really important that more intergenerational learning takes place in communities to avoid the generation gap increasing”.