Designer scoops European industry award

“This is a very exciting achievement which acknowledges the commitment of Staffordshire University towards innovation in sustainability and our pursuit of pioneering the greener living and working practices of the future.”

Paul Richards, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Staffordshire University

An innovative product designer from Staffordshire University has scooped a prestigious industry award.

Eco-friendly products designed by students from the BA(Hons) Product Design at Staffordshire University contended with entries from across Europe at the inaugural R5Hero Design Awards hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium.

Three dimensional toy figurines designed by Level 6 BA(Hons) Product Design student, Paul Joyce, scooped the award in the Home and Garden category and received a €1000 cash prize.

Paul said: “I’m delighted with the award. Looking forward, it is really important that we look at our impact on the environment in product design and i take great pleasure in the recognition my designs have gained from industry leaders."

“As well as being a toy it can be used as a cost effective educational tool. Each child will make and learn about that particular toy as they go and afterwards it is easily recyclable or dismantled and passed on to other children.”

Each product entry had to use one or more of the 5R’s (reduce, recycle, re-use, replace, return) and be made from solid board materials from FSC certified sources and suppliers

High profile industry leaders attended the event including Serge de Gheldere, founder and CEO of Futureproofed. Niall Dunne, CSO of BT and Al Gore’s representative in Belgium; Geert Verachtert, CEO of Phillips Belgium and Olivier Marquet, CEO of Tridos bank.

Hugh Williamson, Award Leader in Product Design at Staffordshire University, said: “We received six nominations in total competing against participants across Europe and that in itself is a fantastic accomplishment which emphasises the ability of our students in Product Design at Staffordshire University.”

Staffordshire University Deputy Vice Chancellor, Paul Richards, said: “This is a very exciting achievement which acknowledges the commitment of Staffordshire University towards innovation in sustainability and our pursuit of pioneering the greener living and working practices of the future.”