The Royal College of Art Helen Hamlyn Fixperts Awards 2024 Shortlist

2024 Shortlist announced for the Royal College of Art Helen Hamlyn Fixperts Awards.

Celebrating creativity, care and ingenuity, the Helen Hamlyn Fixperts Awards is now in it’s 12th year. With over 55 universities across 25 countries engaged with our multi-award-winning programme there is a diversity of great projects facing this years judges. This years shortlist boasts entries from all across the world including Ireland, Israel, Japan, South Africa, and the UK to name a few. The ingenuity, empathy and innovation which we’ve seen from the entrants has been truly inspirational and it has made it both a pleasure and challenge to create a shortlist.

The entries chosen for this years awards are those that have focused on working closely with their Fix Partners to improve an aspect of their day to day life. The projects this year addressed education, health, mobility, ageing well and bringing social benefit to a community. The winner will be announced at the prestigious Helen Hamlyn Awards ceremony at the Royal College of Art in London.

Congratulations to all the Fixperts for taking part and especially to those listed below in our 2024 shortlist:

Beard scratcher for Eddie

Susie and Ciaran work with Eddie, who is paralysed from the neck down, to create a ‘beard scratcher’ and make him more comfortable and less dependent on a carer at night.
Fixperts: Susie Dawson-Howe and Ciarán Kearns
Fix Partner: Eddie and Linda O’Connor
Education Institute: NCAD National College of Art and Design
Country: Ireland

– –

Spoon for Barbie

Since surgery on her hand, Barbie struggles to use a normal spoon. A skilful and caring Fixperts team work with her to create a comfortable alternative that suits her needs.

Fixperts: Sthembiso Ndumo, Zinhlimbali Mbatha, Jerrod du Rand, Emeritus Lukhele and Tannie
Fix Partner: Barbie

Tutor: Mr. H Dubery
Education Institute: Tshwane University of Technology
Country: South Africa

– –

Oz’s Chair

Oz is 7 and lives with a condition of hydrocephalus and CP. He has a wooden board keeping his chair stable. But the weight prevents him from settling in or getting up independently. Fixperts Elay and Amit work with him and his carers to design a light weight, safe and versatile solution.

Fixperts: Amit Ariel and Eyal Hasson
Fix Partner: Oz and his carers at Beit Issie Shapiro

Tutors: Gad Charny, Dana Yichye Shwachman
Education Institute: HIT Holon Institute of Technology, Faculty of Design
Country: Israel

– –

Pill organiser for Karen

Karen’s swollen hands make it difficult and time-consuming to open pill boxes when she prepares to take her medication, so Una and Carly design a new set of containers, that is both glamorous and easy to use.

Fixperts: Carly Bowden and Una Ni Choileain
Fix Partner: Karen

Tutoe Muireann Mcmahon
Education Institute: University of Limerick
Country: Ireland

– –

Lining dryer for Conor

Conor, who is a lower limb amputee, is interested in a quicker, more effective method for drying the linings of his prosthesis so that washing them is less disruptive. The Fixperts studying Industrial Design at University of Brighton work with him to invent a clever air dryer.

Fixperts: Faith Russell, Alex Hinge, Sophia Alcantara Littlejonhs and Jacob Gravett
Fix Partner: Conor Koureas

Tutors: James Tooze
Education Institute: University of Brighton
Country: UK

– –

Mobile Cart for Mama Romi

Mama Romi has a Braii stand where she makes and sells grilled corn. The Fixperts team from Tshwane University of Technology designed an elegant mobile cart that provides storage and display surfaces.

Fixperts: Ryo Ushida, Yuki Matsuoka and Taiga Sanjo
Fix Partner: Keiko Matsuoka

Tutor:
Education Institute: TUT, Tshwane University of Technology
Country: South Africa

– –

Counting stick for Claire

Claire is a primary school teacher who teaches the Times tables using a DIY stick and sticky notes. In conversation with the Fixperts team they come up with an improved design, clearer, adaptable and easier to teach with.

Fixperts: Cristian Gallo, Riley Chambers, Fatima Albaazi and Zoe Moon
Fix Partner: Claire Clarke

Tutors: James Tooze
Education Institute: University of Brighton
Country: UK

– –

Typing aid for Toyomitsu

Toyomitsu, who has limited movement in his left hand, works daily on his computer keyboard. Fixperts Rena, Tomohiro and Ayumi create a tool that allows him to do so with more ease.

Fixperts: Tomohiro Hatanaka, Rena Suzuki and Ayumi Takagi
Fix Partner: Toyomitsu Karasawa

Tutors: Shin Azumi, Hidehiko Miura, Ayeka Sei, Junpei Umekawa
Education Institute: Hosei University Faculty of Engineering and Design.
Country: Japan

– –

Nose Dilator for Anne

Anne struggles with discomfort breathing, eating and sleeping because of a deviated septum, so Emilia and Dan workshop a discreet tool to open her airways so she can breathe better through her nose.
Fixperts: Dan Killackey and Amilia Ziolek
Fix Partner: Anne

Tutor: Miureann McMahon
Education Institute: University of Limerick
Country: Ireland

– –

A Wheelstool for Jenny

Inspired by Jenny, an under knee amputee’s, dislike of using the bulky standard wheelchair to move around her home when not wearing a prosthesis, Fixperts Aviv and Ben design a compact, practical alternative.
Fixperts: Aviv Hass and Benny Gavish
Fix Partner: Jenny and Itamar Shnap

Tutors: Gad Charny and Dana Yichye Shwachman
Education Institute: HIT Holon Institute of Technology, Faculty of Design
Country: Israel

– –

Portable footrest for Yuichiro

Yuichiro has a condition called achondroplasia, which prevents him from growing taller. He spends around eight hours a day sitting down, studying and at his part-time job at a call center. When he sits on a chair his feet float in the air which puts strain on his lower back and ligaments. Fixperts Kento, Ichiko and Sara invented and refined a footrest that he can easily carry to different locations.
Fixperts: Kento Nakata, Ichiko Sotodate and Sara Honda

Fix Partner: Yuichiro