Member Article

Design student takes prize for eco products

A design student has won a top award for creating a packaging-free shampoo and a digital room decorator.

Laura Morris’ ethical designs were created as part of her degree in Design for Industry at Northumbria University.

The final year student’s achievements have been recognised by the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts Manufactures (RSA) in their 2009 Design Directions competition.

Laura won The Wally Olins Opportunity Award of £2,500 for her entries in the ‘A Changing World’ section - with a focus on minimising the impact on the environment.

The 22-year-old developed a solid shampoo, named ‘Locally Pure’, which community groups can make with supplied ingredients and then add unique locally-sourced items to distinguish their products from those made by other groups.

The shampoos can then be traded for those produced by other towns.

The solid shampoo is supplied with a foaming mitt, worn while washing your hair, which captures and dispenses the shampoo evenly.

Laura’s futuristic designs for a Dulux digital colour palette, which decorates a room without the need for actual paint, also impressed the RSA judges.

The design uses wireless technology to beam E-ink colour schemes on to digital wall hangings, meaning that rooms can be decorated at the touch of a button and without the need for messy paints or physical labour.

Laura, originally from Lancaster, said: “I’m pleased to have been awarded. I’ve really enjoyed working on the design briefs and my whole course at Northumbria University.

“There have been lots of challenges and it’s been hard work but I’ve loved every minute of the course.”

Final Year tutor Mark Bailey said: “The designs produced by our Design for Industry students were of an exceptionally high quality, reflecting the skills and knowledge that they have developed throughout their time at Northumbria.

“We, at the School of Design, are delighted that these talented students have received recognition for their hard work from the RSA.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .