In 2003 six DBA members were shortlisted from a record fourteen entries, to take up the challenge of inclusive design. Their shared objective was to design for the mainstream market while including as many people as possible, especially those with disabilities.
Information & Guidance on:
On Tuesday 9 December 2003 Factory, Lewis Moberly, Roundel/Dalton Maag, Seachange, Seymourpowell and The Team presented their projects to a capacity audience at the Royal College of Art. The keynote address was made by Rory Cellan-Jones, Business Correspondent for the BBC News and Chair of the 2003 Design Challenge.
Two winners were chosen, with the Award going jointly to Factory with ‘Factory Wares’ and Seymourpowell with ‘Inability not Disability’.
For a more detailed report on each project, click here to download ‘Innovate 6’
Factory Factory Wares
"The saucepan is a product in which weight is synonymous with quality and handle designs are dictated by manufacturing techniques rather than user needs. Our challenge is to create one in lightweight but durable materials with an inclusive handle for easier manoeuvre, a secondary one for heavier contents and an easy-to-lift lid – in short a total redesign from first principles.
Factory Design is an ideas-led design consultancy specialising in new product development, futures, transport, packaging, retail and environment design, and strategic innovation. We challenge convention to create commercial solutions for items to delight the consumer."
Seymourpowell Inability not Disability
"To grow market share, mobile communications companies have focused on product convergence and feature-led strategies. The result: a ‘function avalanche’. Yet increasingly complex solutions do not mean better, more relevant products. The response of our design and foresight team is an inclusive mobile communications device for the widest group of consumers.
With an 18-year track record of designing consumer products for international markets, Seymourpowell is dedicated to informed, radical product innovation in consumer goods from cars, bras and mobile phones to computers, domestic appliances and hand-made luggage."
Lewis Moberly Eye Speak
"We aim to develop a visual language of symbols and a wearable communications device that will together facilitate non-verbal communication in environments where conventional means don’t work – for example, noisy venues, places where many languages are spoken, or situations where hearing impairment can lead to social exclusion.
We are an independent brand identity consultancy with offices in London, Paris and Geneva. All projects are carried out in London under the creative direction of Mary Lewis. We enhance competitive advantage by targeting creative excellence with precision."
Roundel / Dalton Maag Digital Wayfinding
"A wide variety of electronic media have replaced traditional signage in public places. Dot matrix displays, CRT screens, LCD and plasma displays are installed with little thought given to consistency or readability. We propose a set of protocols for electronic information systems to aid designers in this brave new world.
Roundel are leading transport graphic designers specialising in all aspects of mass transit systems. Their partner for this project is Dalton Maag, recognised experts in font design."
Seachange Life Circle
"A communication system suitably coded for chronic conditions and their prescribed medicines that can be used equally in traditional and electronic media. A visual code denotes each generic type and dispensing alerts are linked to patient records to encourage compliance and thereby reduce medical emergencies resulting from human error.
Seachange is a creative consultancy working in partnership with our clients to achieve outstanding creative solutions based on clarity, consistency and collaboration, in order to keep their brands at the forefront of the public's mind."
The Team The ‘Active’ Companion
"One in seven people in the UK have a hearing impairment. We propose a wearable mobile device with vibration alerts that will warn the user when alarms go off in the vicinity, help distinguish between them, and allow informed decisions and action to be taken.
We are a 35-strong design consultancy whose aim is to provide our clients with solutions that help improve the quality of people’s lives – be that a website that is accessible to all, a campaign that inspires people to act, or communication and development programmes that engage and motivate employees."
