Young designers from across the UK submitted a range of forward-thinking projects from the interior, industrial and technology design mediums for the inaugural edition of the Rado Star Prize. The judging was presided over by a stellar panel including industrial designer Konstantin Grcic; design journalist Corinne Julius; Vice President of Product Management at Rado Hakim El Kadiri; design journalist Katrina Burroughs and designjunction Event Director Will Sorrell.

Responding to this year's designjuncion theme "Design Meets Time", projects ranged from product to digital concepts, lighting to glassware. The theme came to life through the longevity of each product, the sustainability of materials used and the conceptual idea behind the design.

Hakim El Kadiri, Vice-President of Product Management of Rado, said: "This was our first Rado Star Prize UK, and we were blown away by the quality of the entries. It was no small task to choose the finalists from such an interesting and eclectic range of projects."

The ten finalists will exhibit their shortlisted concepts in The Crossing at designjunction 21-24 September 2017. One winner, to be announced at designjunction, will receive a £5,000 cash prize as well as a Rado Ceramica - an iconic timepiece relaunched last year with a new look courtesy of renowned industrial designer and Star Prize UK judge Konstantin Gric. During the show, visitors will be able to nominate their favourite project from among the finalists. The winner of the public vote will also be awarded a Rado Ceramica.

Will Sorrell, Event Director at designjunction, commented: "We had a high number of entries from a range of institutions across the UK, which enabled us to pick a strong shortlist. I'm looking forward to seeing the designs come to life in Rado's exhibition at designjunction this September."

Shortlist:

0.6 Chair - Joachim Froment

The 0.6 Chair is a robust and long-lasting dining and cafe chair with an efficient and simple production process. Using a new process of laminating wood, a sandwich of wood veneer and carbon fibre reduces the thickness of the chair to 0.6cm. By using a mould in two parts, the manufacturing time and the amount of material required are reduced, minimising consumption.

180 degree Lamp - Frederic Ratsch

The 180 degree lamp is designed to use light as an indicator of time. Embracing the hourglass gesture, as the lamp is turned 180 degrees, the light gradually dims until turning off after 45 minutes. Encouraging a better night's sleep for children and indicating a time to read before sleeping, the product is made from anodized aluminium, semi-transparent silicone and LED.

Apollo Tripod - Connor Holland

Inspired by the moon landing missions, the Apollo Tripod is designed to suit all environments. Its wide feet and tripod shape provide stability on uneven ground whilst structurally reflecting on the significance of the tripod shape in classical architecture. The product's longevity is increased and it is protected from the elements by its layered finish of epoxy resin, metallised with a water-based chemical, plated with silver, dyed to colour and finished with aerospace grade lacquer.

Connor commented: "Being chosen as a finalist in the inaugural Rado Star Prize UK is an honour, which will be invaluable in helping promote my work to a wide audience and potential clients. I am very grateful to Rado and designjunction for supporting young designers, and providing the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious event with the design community."

Breathe - Jahday Ford

Breathe considers that the origin of a blown glass piecce is the first breath. The glass vessel is created using a recording of the craftsman's first breath and translated into a 3D mould using a CNC router. Bridging the diverse fields of digital process and craft, Breathe freezes a moment in time, allowing the cradtsman to become a part of the object.

Pinhole Camera - James Benham 

Through an updated interpretation of the practive of pinhole photography, this project invites people to recconect with their surroundings. Using a standard 35 mm film to allow multiple shots, a shutter mechanism and durable housing, the designers see this product as transforming images from instant and ordinary and evocative.

On being selected, James remarked "It was an unexpected but welcome surprise to ge the call about being selected. I'm looking forward to seeing what the other finalists have made at the show in September".

Tate-ium - Mark Mitchell

With careful consideration of the science and mathamatics of design, the Tate-ium chair uses the phase changing material Sodium Acetate to enable to product to mould around its user. With removable sections allowing the shape of the chair to be altered and remoulded when subjected to heat, the warmth of the pads can attend to aching muscles.

The Moravian Collection - Jasmine Craven-Huffer

The Movarian Collection challenges throwaway society and suggest products whould be made to last a lifetime. Inspired by a stool designed int he 15th Century by the Movarian Church, products in the collection feature Movarian sliding dovetail rails which use the natural movement of the wood to strengthen the joints over time.

Kintsugi Ceremony Kit - Alida Sielaff

The Kintsugi Ceremony Kit combines the German wedding tradition Polterabend where dishes are smashed, and Kintsugi, the Japanese tradition of joining broken ceramics with gold. Given as a wedding present and conducted as a ceremony, the couple smash the plate and then collaboratively reassemble it using the kit, creating a unique product with special meaning and longevity.

TRID - Taisei Mishima

TRID is a transformable chair designed to be used from birth to adulthood. With the functions of cradle, bouncer and chair, TRID grows with the child meaning that the product does not need to be replaced. With a fast-manufacturing process and flat-packed delivery the Birch plywood material is intended to age with the child.

Topped - William Huggons

Topped is a take on the iconic spinning top and is inspired by Charles and Ray Eames' beilief in the powerful notion of play. Considering the spin of a top as a measurement of time that draws and captures the user's attention, the top can stand alone or sit as the lid of a ceramic vessel.

For more information visit www.thedesignjunction.co.uk

Rado at designjunction London2017

Thursday 21 September - Sunday 24 September 2017

1 Granary Square | King's Cross| London N1C 4AA

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