Designers up with the Best for 2011

College of Creative Arts graduates have topped three of the four categories at the 2011 Designer’s Institute Best Design Awards.

A modified fire-fighter’s nozzle, an investigation of kiwiana through graphic design and some stellar short circuit animation, are among the projects to receive gold awards. A total of 37 of the 67 gold, silver and bronze awards presented in the student category (including those who have since graduated) were won by entries from Massey.

The awards, announced at the Viaduct Events Centre on Friday, recognise New Zealand’s best graphic, interactive, product and spatial design.

The overall category winning gold medal entries include computer animation trio, Shinji Dawson, Yannick Gillain and Felix Telfer, who created a digital animation short film called Circuit, which looks humorously at conflicting technologies and man’s desire to constantly upgrade while neglecting the consequences of the technology left behind.

“The aim of this animation is to make people step back and consider the technological choices they make and their implications,” say the trio, whose talents are now all being put to use working for film giant Weta Digital.

Graphic design graduate Rebecca O’Shea used the traditional outdoor picnic as a visual example of kiwiana to create a book which unpacks all the elements of a picnic that contribute to its significance in New Zealand culture.

Industrial design graduate Steven Wyeth devised a prototype dubbed The Minotaur that combines an innovative fire fighter’s hose nozzle with a front mounting harness that improves functionality and usability.

Head of the Institute for Communication Design at CoCA, Associate Professor Chris Bennewith, says the number of awards spoke volumes for the high regard in which its students were held.

“An accolade like this puts a young designer's name up in lights, and often attracts industry attention that can lead to jobs and other opportunities."