The finalists have been announced for the 2011 Design Innovation in Plastics Award. This year's competition challenged student designers and design engineers to address the concerns of day-to-day life while bringing fun and pleasure to the lives of users.

Even more students entered this year compared to last, and the judging panel, chaired by Richard Brown, Operations Director for Hi-Technology Group, has selected the following finalists:

• Hugging Angel, Bumki Cho, Northumbria University. A warm-hearted valet chair that holds your clothes and belongings with affection.
• Little Helper, Russell Tuit, Northumbria University. An educational children’s product to turn family shopping into a pleasurable activity and encouraging parent-child bonding and early behavioural routines.  
• Spine Toothbrush, Teerapon Techapanichgul, Royal College of Art. A toothbrush with a replaceable brush head that is made less plastic than a traditional toothbrush.
• Moving Shelving for Primary Schools, Lewis Pearson, Swansea Metropolitan University. An interactive library shelving system for children aged 3-6 years.

• Paint Stream, James Whitfield, University of Huddersfield. A waste-reducing paint tray.
• Sky Rise, Christopher Hyde, University of Huddersfield. A dual-function teacher’s chair for use in primary school classrooms.

The Design Innovation in Plastics Award allows feedback from the judges so the finalists can refine their designs before the final judging, on 26 May. Each of the finalists will receive a placement with one of the sponsors: Bayer MaterialScience in Leverkusen, DuPont in Geneva, PDD innovation consultancy, Brightworks design consultancy, Hellermann Tyton and Hi-Technology Group.

The Award is championed by the IOM3 and the Worshipful Company of Horners, an ancient City Livery Company that has forged strong links with the plastics industry. The 2011 headline sponsor from industry is Bayer MaterialScience, one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and high performance plastics. Additional support has been given from the PDD Group, DuPont Engineering Polymers, PlasticsEurope, the Materials KTN, Hi-Technology Group, Brightworks and Hellermann Tyton. Support from media partners Materials World, Mould Technology and newdesign is also greatly appreciated.

Sylvia Katz, Award Coordinator tel: 020 7503 5949  

Design Innovation in Plastics website