The No-grip cup has received the Powerhouse Museum DesignTECH Award for innovation in design at a presentation today by NSW Minister for Education and Training, the Hon John Della Bosca MLC, recognising the top design and technology projects by 2007 Higher School Certificate students.
The winning No-grip cup was developed by Rhys Sultana of Freeman Catholic College, and came to fruition when Rhys was motivated to assist a family friend with a disability. In developing the No-grip cup, Rhys undertook the difficult task of redesigning a product that has been in use in a standard form for a long time.
Rhys developed a number of alternative cup designs for use by people who have difficulty holding standard coffee cups. In doing so, Rhys demonstrated many of the processes key to innovation: identifying potential users and their needs; generating and assessing alternative designs; and prototype testing and evaluation. Heat resistance, washability, durability, weight and aesthetics were also considered. These processes are well documented and presented in the design folio accompanying the project.
“The No-grip cup presents a new aesthetic approach to the design of products for people with disabilities – the cups are colorful and modern in both ceramic and plastic ‘thermo cup’ designs,” said the Museum’s curator of Product Design, Angelique Hutchinson.
A showcase of 26 innovative projects will be on display, from fashion, furniture and textiles, to green learning, sporting innovations and road safety designs. Highlights of this year’s exhibition include the trio chair, time machine and the interchangeable surfboard. The exhibition will be on view through 2 March 2008. -- www.powerhousemuseum.com
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