Shortlist announced for the Royal College of Art Helen Hamlyn Fixperts Awards 2021.

We’re thrilled to share this year’s shortlist of inspiring projects from all around the world. Now in it’s ninth year, this prestigious award celebrates creativity in human-focused design across all creative disciplines at university. The RCA judges will look for submissions which show ingenuity, empathy and innovation whilst focusing on health, and social benefit.

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This year we have seen a brilliant set of entries from 12 universities, from 8 countries across the world comprising China, England, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Mexico and Spain.

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Congratulations to all that have made the shortlist and thank you to everyone who entered! Below you can view the projects and hopefully be inspired to begin your own Fixperts journey! The winner will be announced, in a live online event, by the RCA at the Helen Hamlyn Design Awards on Friday 2 July.

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You are welcome to register to attend the ceremony here.

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Arm Brace for James

Fix Partner James plays badminton for the GB Para-olympics team and has limited movement in his left arm after an accident in his 20s. Working in consolation with James the Fixperts from Brunel University London create a strap for his arm which will securely hold it in place.

Fixperts: Jordan Young, George Binnie, Leon Hollister, Nathan Hall, Almer Khan and Marcus Radosevic
Fix Partner: James
Fixperts Tutor: Mike Kann
Education Institute: Brunel University London
Country: England
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Cleaner Gloves for Mrs. Paula

Fix Partner Mrs. Paula is 81 years old and loves to clean her house, however the arthritis in her hands can be painful which makes it difficult to do certain tasks. Fixperts from Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Azcapotzalco in Mexico work with her to create a pair of gloves which are comfortable to wear whilst she cleans.

Fixperts: Según Artista
Fix Partner: Mrs. Paula
Education Institute: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Azcapotzalco (UAM)
Country: Mexico
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Cutting Board for Clive

Fixperts from Ravensbourne University work with their Fix Partner, Clive, who had a stroke which affects the left side of his body. They use their creative skills to design and fabricate a chopping board which makes preparing food easier for Clive.

Fixperts: Josh Curtis and Kristian Owen
Fix Partner: Clive Mellor
Fixperts Tutor: Nadine Bennett
Education Institute: Ravensbourne University
Country: England
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Door Opener for Fumiya

The team of Fixperts from Hosei University work with their Fix Partner, Fumiya, to create a device which allows him to grip and open the door handle.

Fixperts: Haruto Kawai, Renjie Jiang, Tomohiro Fujita, Haruki Kishi
Fix Partner: Fumiya Kishi
Fixperts Tutors: Shin Azumi, Hidehiko Miura, Jyunpei Umekawa and Hiroaki Oba
Education Institute: Hosei University
Country: Japan
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Fire Extinguisher Trolley

Fixperts from Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Azcapotzalco in Mexico works with Fix Partner Martin to create a trolley to safely transport his fire extinguisher.

Fixperts: Sofia Izquierdo Camacho
Fix Partner: Martin Izquierdo Embarcadero
Education Institute: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Azcapotzalco (UAM)
Country: Mexico
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FixSelf – Therapeutic Exercise Sling

Ella is an Industrial Design student at Holon Institute of Technology in Israel and is both the Fixperts and Fix Partner in her project. Ella has muscular dystrophy which manifests in her upper limbs and her ambition is to strengthen her arms and back through physical activities. During the coronavirus pandemic physiotherapy centres are closed which makes accessing equipment difficult. Ella creates a therapeutic exercise sling which she can use at home or in the outdoor gym.

Fixperts and Fix Partner: Ella Mor Asoolin
Fixperts Tutors: Prof. Gad Charny and Dana Yichye Shwachman
Education Institute: HIT Holon Institute of Technology
Country: Israel

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Glove Device for Jo

Fix Partner, Jo, runs a cleaning company that specialises in GP surgeries. She has to change her PPE each time she enter a new ward, but replacing the plastic gloves can often be challenging. Jo works with thew Fixperts at the University of Brighton to find a solution.

Fixperts: Adam Boult, Cleo Morgan and Anwen Parnis
Fix Partner: Joanna Williams
Fixperts Tutors: James Tooze, Catherine Grundy and Gemma Matthias
Education Institute: University of Brighton
Country: England
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Key Gripper for Chloe

Fix Partner Chloe has difficulty turning keys due to nerve damage causing muscle deterioration in her hand. Through research, prototyping and testing the Fixperts at NCAD in Ireland created a solution.

Fixperts: John and Tom
Fix Partner: Chloe
Fixperts Tutors: Derek and Donal
Education Institute: National College of Art and Design
Country: Ireland
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Kitchen Fridge Opening Aid for Lara

A team of Fixperts from Loughborough University worked with their Fix Partner Lara, who has rheumatoid arthritis, to co-design a kitchen aid that would allow her to open her fridge with ease.

Fixperts: Aaron Hoppe, Nat Arnold and Sara Singh
Fix Partner: Lara
Education Institute: Loughborough University
Country: England
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Physiotherapy Climbing Maze

Fixperts Itai and Kama are Industrial Design students from Holon Institute of Technology in Israel. They work with Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital to create a device which enables physiotherapy whilst gaming – keeping the patients motivated.

Fixperts: Itai Miller and Kama Zigelman
Fix Partner: Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital
Fixperts Tutors: Prof. Gad Charny and Dana Yichye Shwachman
Education Institute: HIT Holon Institute of Technology
Country: Israel
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Ring for Renee

Edward Howe and Kevin Cosgrave work together to help Fix Partner Renee, who has arthritis in her hands, interact with her phones keyboard.

Fixperts: Edward Howe and Kevin Cosgrave
Fix Partner: Renee
Education Institute: University of Limerick
Country: Ireland

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Shoehorn for Toshihide

Fix Partner Tosihide finds it difficult to move his left foot after a fall in the past. Fixperts from Hosei University worked with him to create a shoehorn to make removing and putting shoes on more comfortable.

Fixperts: Ryo Isozaki, Yohei Kamimura and Masaki Takesue
Fix Partner: Tosihide Kamimura
Fixperts Tutors: Shin Azumi, Hidehiko Miura, Jyunpei Umekawa and Hiroaki Oba
Education Institute: Hosei University
Country: Japan

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Designing in a Pandemic

The Helen Hamlyn Judges will also present ‘Designing in a Pandemic’ – an award which celebrates the problem solvers who have created projects which have responded directly to Covid-19.

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A Bag for Heidi

Fix Partner Heidi is a GP and Associate Professor for primary care in Swansea University Medical School. Heidi has a very busy work and home life and had recently been diagnosed with ADHD. Through consultation with Heidi, Fixperts from Brunel University London addressed organisation as one of the biggest problems to address. The team created a bag to help with her store all of the important items she needs on a daily basis.

Fixperts: Alex Boaler, Tia Philips, Harry Vaughn-Johnson, Rosie Johnson and Louis DeCleyn
Fix Partner: Heidi Philips
Fixperts Tutor: Mike Kann
Education Institute: Brunel University London
Country: England

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A Portable Face Mask Cleaner for Caitlin

Fixperts from Brunel University London respond directly to the coronavirus pandemic through their university project. The team work with Caitlin who has sensitive, acne prone skin which is aggravated by the need to wear face masks. The Fixperts work with Caitlin to create a cleaner for her reusable face masks which can be used whilst on the move.

Fixperts: Sean Heaney, Henry Leeson, Rory Watkins, Joshua Posney-Kane, Liam Bosinius and Christina Alvares
Fix Partner: Caitlin Clarke
Fixperts Tutor: Mike Kann
Education Institute: Brunel University London
Country: England

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Fix for Deliveroo Riders

Tips for Deliveroo riders have decreased over the pandemic even though their deliveries have increased. Fixperts Fiona, Carey and Rory from National College of Art and Design in Ireland wanted to try and help increase their tips because they rely heavily on them to supplement low wages. Riders reported a correlation between good tips and media coverage of their strike action and attacks against them. The Fixperts created an information map which outlined the smaller day-to-day issues they face as well as the larger gig economy and worker’s rights issues.

Fixperts: Fiona Carey and Rory McDonald
Fix Film Maker: David Keeling
Fix Partner: Deliveroo Riders
Fixperts Tutor: Bernie McCoy
Education Institute: National College of Art and Design (NCAD)
Country: Ireland

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Illuminated Mask for Ben

Fix Partner Ben is a critical care paramedic, he uses a mask for work but finds it difficult to speak or be heard as the mask is airtight and machine powered. The Fixperts from University of Brighton work with Ben to develop, test and prototype their solution.

Fixperts: Eddie Cockcroft, Ben Talbot and Oscar Van Til
Fix Partner: Ben Spashett
Fixperts Tutors: James Tooze, Catherine Grundy and Gemma Matthias
Education Institute: University of Brighton
Country: England

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Window Planter by Aurelia

During the Coronavirus pandemic Aurelia was on lockdown in her Berlin apartment. She wanted to bring a sense of plant-life into the view from her window, making her lockdown experience more comfortable.

Fixperts: Aurelia Lehmann
Fix Partner: Aurelia Lehmann
Fixperts Tutor: Robert Scheipner
Education Institute: Universität der Künste Berlin / University of Art Berlin
Country: Germany

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