Award-winners are next generation of socially responsible designers

The Royal Society of Arts (RSA) first introduced the Student Design Awards (SDA) in London, 90 years ago. Since 1924, these awards have challenged emerging artists to use design thinking, craft and ingenuity to drive innovation. And this year is no exception.

Last September, the RSA launched eight SDA briefs, which included applying design to a range of social, economic and environmental issues. Over 600 students took part and, after an intensive judging process, the RSA have now announced the 18 winning projects and the designers behind them.

Top proposals

This year’s winners include proposals for new packaging made from beeswax by Riikka Suominen and Thea Engerdahl of Kingston University, a hygiene pack for use in refugee camps by Oliver Brunt of Northumbria University and an alarm clock app to improve well-being amongst 18-25 year olds by Lizzie Reid and Olivia Charlesworth.

Commenting on the winners, the RSA’s co-director of design Nat Hunter said: "We want people to know that design isn't about prettification: design is the cornerstone of society's fight for positive social and environmental change. The RSA Student Design Awards exist to shine a light on some of our most difficult business challenges and create innovations to address them."

Notable past SDA recipients include Apple Inc.'s senior vice president of design Jonathan Ive and Richard Clarke, global vice president of design at Nike.

For a full list of this year's SDA winners, visit the RSA website.