After a hugely successful competition in 2017/18 the international Blackwood Design Awards are returning for 2018/19.

First launched in 2013, the original competition was open only to a handful of UK universities. Now about to launch for the 6^th year running, it has developed into a major international competition and includes inventors and designers of varied backgrounds. They range from seasoned professionals to enthusiastic amateurs and even include laypeople who simply came up with a great idea.

BDA 2017/18 saw finalists video call in from the four corners of the globe to pitch their final presentations to a “Dragon’s Den” style panel of judges.

Winners included the University of Stirling with the Iridis app which helps to design a safe living environment for people who have dementia. Andrew Taylor won the trophy for Best New Concept for his design of a headset that guides visually impaired athletes around a running track without a guide runner.

“It’s amazing to have won this award especially when you consider the quality of the other entrants.” Andrew said on being awarded his trophy. “It was good to get validation from people who have been working in this industry for long time and who are experts.”

The winner from 2015, Grant Douglas used his prize money to grow the reach of his entry, the S’up Spoon that doesn’t spill, which has since sold thousands of units around the world!

Grant, who has Cerebral Palsy, designed the spoon to enable people who shake uncontrollably to eat independently without spilling. “The big thing from the competition was the publicity. It gave the product credibility”, he said.

Our Sponsors

We are delighted for 2018/19 to welcome back Kingdom Gas which has been a long-time supporter and sponsor of the Blackwood Design Awards. A new sponsor for 2018/19 is Triodos Bank, a leading pioneer of ethical banking currently partnered with Blackwood to help build our next generation of accessible, affordable and beautiful homes.

The Blackwood Design Awards 2018/19 will officially launch in mid-October 2018. Keep watching bespoken for the official launch.