In 2007, the scheme attracted over 100 RCA second-year students from 12 RCA departments. This is the eighth year of this inclusive design education with a new engaging design brief:
‘As a designer, architect, communicator, maker or researcher, identify a social group and engage with people in that group to develop a project that improves an aspect of their quality of life - such as their independence, mobility, health or work. Your project should demonstrate a combination of creative design thinking and user research.’
Autumn term: over 100 students attended the awards launch and 102 applications were received.
Spring term: 52 projects were shortlisted and introduced to user research methodology through user forums and seminars.
Summer term: user research was transformed into creative design. 26 projects were chosen as finalists. Judging is on the 22 June . There are three panels of deisign and user research experts. The Award ceremony is be part of the Innovation Night, 26 June, during the RCA summer show.
There are two new awards. The first is sponsored by Michael Peters, Chairman and Executive Creative Director of Identica and the second by CABE, the government’s adviser to improve building design. Together with the other long-term sponsors, there are eight awards in total:
