24 Hour Universal Design Challenge 2011
The brief
The Universal Design Challenge for 2011 was operated to engage 3rd level final year and MSc product design students. It was a two day competition for design teams to create a new Universal Design. The challenge focused on embedding Universal Design thinking at the key point for students finishing university and transitioning into their design careers. It was held in Tullamore approximately 1 hour outside of Dublin and it attracted product design students from 3rd level colleges across Ireland.
The theme was Everyday Consumer Products. The brief was about Activities of Daily Living and the design stimulus was how Extremes Inspire Design.
Judge's Choice Award
ALF
The Judges’ Award went to Team “ALF” for their recognition of the universal difficulty experienced by all people when accessing lamp fittings or smoke detectors mounted high on walls or on ceilings.
Their design solution shown in the above image is a two part fitting that allows one part to lower to a height that makes changing a lamp or battery much easier for all people regardless of their age, size or ability.
People's Choice Award
Vessel
The People’s Choice Award went to Team “Vessel” for their recognition of the universal difficulty experienced by all people when carrying items on a common serving tray, and at times having to release one hand temporarily.
Their design solution shown in the above image is a serving tray with a molded feature that enables a person to slide their hand into one end to temporarily hold the tray stable with one hand. The unique design feature makes transporting items much easier for all people regardless of their age, size or ability.
Runners up
The other team designs were:
Team OGO recognized the universal difficulty experienced by all people when trying to keep all of their belongings organized while on the go.
Their design solution called Organization on the Go “OGO” shown in the following image is a modular system of portable organizer components that can be assembled as a customizable kit. The OGO makes organizing your personal items much easier for all people regardless of their age, size or ability.
Team “Turtle” recognized the universal difficulty experienced by all people when trying to carry and handle multiple keys for a variety of locks in a variety of environments.
Their design solution shown in the following image is a stylish product that houses your keys to fit comfortably in your pocket. The shape acts as a lever that makes handling and turning keys much easier for all people regardless of their age, size or ability.
Team “Easy Bathe” recognized the universal difficulty experienced by all people when getting in and out of a bath.
Their design solution shown in the following image is an attractive multipurpose hollow bench that secures over the rim of the bath to offer stability with getting in and out of the bath. It can be used also as a small table with internal storage space. Easy Bathe makes getting in and out of the bath much more possible for all people regardless of their age, size or ability.