Queensland College of Art Design graduate Troy Baverstock has won the Design Institute of Australia‘s national prize for Industrial and Product Design.
The Australian Graduate of the Year Awards (AGOTYA) were held in Melbourne as part of the DENFAIR design fair.
The competition celebrates the best young design graduates in the country recognising Australia’s future designers.
Troy’s folio included a diverse range of cutting-edge designs, ranging from a 3D-printed customisable prosthetic limb to an ergonomic bike saddle and a sleek timber sound system.
The judges commented that Troy’s folio “addressed a broad range of issues and design problems”.
His music system offered “a magical solution to the disconnect between the digital and physical music experience”, the bike saddle was “innovative… may be part of addressing the concern around prostate cancer and cycling” and they noted that the prosthetic limb lent itself to rapid prototyping.
Troy won a cash prize and a mentorship program with a design practice of his choice.
Troy, whose innovative limbU design was featured in Griffith’s recent Remarkable campaign, said it was an honour to be recognised by the industry awards.
“I’ve just graduated, so recognition at a national level is a great way to boost my profile in the design industry and open some doors,” he said.
“It also feels good that the work itself is being recognised — that all the extra blood, sweat and tears were worth it!
“Often product design doesn’t receive the same recognition as things like fashion design or graphic design, so it’s also about promoting the culture as well.”
Troy said studying design at the QCA had allowed him to pursue projects that he was passionate about.
“The degree allowed me the freedom to spend time in the studio developing my own work, and the skills to make my vision a reality,” he said.
Queensland College of Art Director Professor Derrick Cherrie said the design program gave students the opportunity to work with the latest technology and gain industry experience.
“Troy is an exceptional designer. His work is highly innovative, imaginative and thoroughly informed by knowledge and practical experience in the latest digital fabrication technologies,” he said.
“Like many of our graduates, Troy is motivated by a strong desire to use design to improve the world around him.
“The 3D and Industrial Design Program at the QCA is one of Australia’s most advanced offerings in the field.
“Our students to learn to maximise the potential of the emerging technologies associated with advanced manufacturing, creating designers that are prepared for employment and ready for the opportunities of today and tomorrow.
“At QCA, students have the opportunity to work alongside design industry and business leaders. These experiences produce well-rounded designers capable of tackling real-world problems.”