University News Last updated 20 May 2013
Some of the world’s most innovative products and services – and the people who inspired them – are lined up for recognition in the annual Birmingham Made Me Design Awards.
The range of innovation from the region is world-beating say judges - from the iRacer, the world’s first all-electric kit, developed in partnership with Birmingham City University, to supercars like the Aston Martin Vanquish. The diverse awards also features innovation in retail, education, the media and creative industries.
To vote online for your chosen nominee visit the Birmingham Made Me website
Voting closes on 20 June, the eve of the awards (see the shortlist below).
Simon Topman, Chair of the Finalist Selection Panel for the 2013 Birmingham Made Me Design Awards, said: "This is the most vibrant event I have ever been involved. The quality of what is happening here in the Midlands is creating a real buzz in the creative and design sectors worldwide.
“As with last year, we were very impressed by the calibre and quality of the nominations for the Birmingham Made Me Design Awards.
“Too often we overlook, or forget, just how good we are at having great ideas for products or services - but also how we excel in designing them, making them and then selling them around the world to people who find them truly desirable."
Lucan Gray, Director of the Custard Factory and fellow judge, said: “I have been working here for 25 years, but I didn’t realise how many amazing companies were from this area and city.
“This year’s awards seem to me to be an amazing opportunity to get the word out there. Comparing Birmingham to other European regional cities is a good idea as Birmingham has so much to offer with our young, diverse, well-educated population and world class centres of learning.
“All these need to be spoken about so that people take Birmingham as seriously as Milan.”
Professor Chris O’Neil, Executive Dean, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, part of Birmingham City University, added: “Birmingham’s is one of the most innovative centres for design anywhere in Europe with growing linkages between design, innovation, education and industry.
“Initiatives such as the Birmingham Made Me Design Awards are created to help foster these linkages. What we need is an environment where things can be tried out, test the market and move ideas forward and our design exhibition is aiming to deliver just that.”
Finalists selected are as follows:
Best Midlands Design
- Aston Martin Vanquish
- Chase Distillery
- Jaguar Cars C-X75
- Pashley Cycles - Clubman
- Tyrrells Crisps
- Vax Air3
Best Midlands Radical Innovation and Design
- AGA Rangemaster Original Range Cookers
- Apple Innovations, Sir Jonathan Ive
- Droplet
- Rover 'Safety' Bicycle
- Westfields iRacer, a project in partnership with Birmingham City University
Best Education - Business Collaborative Design
- Aston University, Electric racing car challenge
- Birmingham Made Me Retail Collective
- Cytox, University of Birmingham spinout
- Maverick Television Live from the Clinic Interactive
- Pant & Moss collaboration on Birmingham City University Trends project
- Virtuar Moving and Handling Training, Birmingham City University
- The Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching, Professor Stuart Brand, Birmingham City University
Best Midlands Emerging Designer
- An Endless Supply
- Cathy Miles
- Emma Shipley
- Hannah Fewtrell-Bolton
- Jack Row
- Plant & Moss
- Tusheeta David
Midlands Lifetime Achievement Award
- Adrian Shooter
- Betty Jackson
- Charles Morgan
- Graham Vick
- Ian Callum RDI
- John Madin
- Marek Reichman
Awards winners will be announced at the Birmingham Made Me Awards Ceremony on evening 21st June at Millennium Point with guest speaker Nick Holzherr, finalist of BBC show The Apprentice, and entrepreneur and founder of Whisk.
The evening will include the Graduate Degree Show from BA Fashion Design graduates at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, part of Birmingham City University, a talent showcase featuring performers from BOA (Birmingham Ormiston Academy) and the Birmingham Conservatoire and School of Acting in a “glamorous and pacey evening” featuring regional food showcases, a raffle and the best of design and innovation from the Midlands.
Tickets are £30 each. Purchase tickets here