Product Design

Top 3 Product Designs from the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards 2018

  • Posted by Mark Serisier
  • January 16, 2019

Image via. Blamey Saunders hears – https://www.blameysaunders.com.au/

 

Established in 1996, the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards recognise and reward Victorian designers and businesses that show “excellence” in the way they use design.

Every year, the awards look at design in areas such as digital, architecture, fashion, product, and service. It’s a great platform for designers and start-ups to get their ideas recognised, and for everyone else to get a glimpse of a new wave of innovative Australian designs.

The Product Design category in particular produces some remarkable designs, with last years entries being no exception.

Take a look at the best 3 product designs from the 2018 awards.

Facett – Modular hearing aid

Winning the prestigious Best in Product Design award, this Blamey Saunders Hears design is the world’s first modular hearing aid. It was designed with the help of hearing aid users, which not only influenced the usability of the design, but also the appealing jewellery-like appearance.

Often a stigmatised or “ugly” medical device, the Facett helps to break down barriers that stop millions of Australians from seeking hearing aids.

The device is split into two components. The core contains all the settings and the disconnectable magnetised module contains a rechargeable battery. The components click easily together and changing the battery is a simple process, making it much easier for people with vision or dexterity impairments.

Rescue Akja

Taking out the Student Design category, this snow rescue device was designed by students at RMIT University in Melbourne. They saw a need to create a safer and more efficient snow rescue toboggan, designing and thoroughly testing the Rescue Akja.

The idea behind the design was “an investigation into patient transportation within ski resorts, predominantly focusing on existing rescue sleds to reduce potential risks and gaps to stakeholders involved. The proposed ‘Rescue Akja’ provides a solution to compatibility, safety and efficiency with consideration to commercial viability.”

You can see and read more about it here.

M100 Multitool

This isn’t the first multitool to be designed, but it presents an ultra portable and incredibly versatile version, with 18+ tool options.

The designers describe the purpose as “a tool that was compact enough to fit into a pocket, lightweight enough to carry everyday and versatile enough to adapt to our changing needs and fit into our modern lifestyle.”

Created by the team at Tacticagear, it was designed for both manufacture and logistics efficiencies. Not only that, but it is manufactured in Australia and has already managed to reach a global scale, with the product exporting to over 100 countries. It’s definitely one to keep an eye out for.

Read more about it here.

 

After seeing these standout designs from the 2018 awards, we’re eagerly anticipating the calibre of entries for the 2019 awards this year.