Design awards partnership hosted by Dundee landmark aims to improve independent living

A design competition uncovering independent living inventions of the future has secured a partnership with Scotland’s design museum, V&A Dundee, as it relaunches.

The Blackwood Design Awards (BDA) invites budding designers, engineers and inventors from all over the world to submit their creations to help people with a disability or independent living needs live life to the full. This year, BDA will work in partnership with the V&A Dundee.

The partnership hopes to kickstart a long-term venture as both parties’ interests align in the belief that design should focus on the needs of the client while supporting independent living for all.

Joanna Mawdsley, Head of Learning at V&A Dundee, will join the expert panel of judges while the venue will host the highly anticipated award ceremony in January 2023.

Joanna said: “Competitions like the BDA encourage concepts, designs and products from a whole cross section of the community and emphasises that anyone can create the next life changing design.

“It’s a real privilege to work with Blackwood on this project and it’s inspiring to see designs that will help to make an exceptional difference to meeting people’s daily support needs.

“The world of design is moving at such a fast pace, so I’m looking forward to seeing what this year’s entries have in store for us and how design can continue to play its vital role in enriching people’s lives”

Both experienced professionals and gifted amateurs can enter the awards, as groups or individuals, meaning both advanced and simpler technologies are equally welcome to enter the competition.

The awards can also represent a great opportunity for design students to get their first big break while still at university.

Previous winners have included an app that helps make living spaces safer for people with dementia, and inventor Grant Douglas’ “spill-proof” spoon – the S’up Spoon – which is exhibited at V&A Dundee and was designed for those affected by conditions that cause them to shake.

Key categories include Best Collaborative Project, Best New Concept and Best New Aids, Equipment or Accessible Technology.

Entrants can win £2000 prize money for Best Collaborative Project and support from the category sponsor Hyper Luminal Games. The prize for Best New Concept is £2000 and a package of support, sponsored by Social Telecoms. For the existing products that win Best New Aids, Equipment or Accessible Technology, the prize is and a trophy alongside a Blackwood endorsement sponsored by Kingdom Gas.

The announcement follows the appointment of charity expert Marie McQuade, who joined Blackwood with over 25 years experience in the sector.

Marie hopes to drive as many entries as possible; she said: “Some of the designs previously entered have been revolutionary and benefited the lives of many others, and we expect this year’s designs to be no different.

“We’re delighted to gain support from V&A Dundee and look forward to working alongside them for this year’s competition – and into the future.

“This year’s awards are exceptionally special as we celebrate Blackwood’s 50th year of operating and due to the anticipated high interest, we have extended the deadline for entries to 11th November 2022 so there is still time to get involved.”

Blackwood now operates more than 1500 properties across 29 local authorities, provides care services, and invests in innovation and technology to help people live life to the full.

The charity has already built two developments of the affordable, accessible and connected tech-smart ‘Blackwood Homes’ in Glasgow and Dundee, which use a “CleverCogs” digital system to make life easier for older people and people with disabilities.

The deadline for entries is extended to Monday 13th November 2022 to allow for the anticipated expanding interest with the winners announced in January 2023.

For more information or to enter the competition, visit the  Blackwood website or e-mail bespoken@blackwoodgroup.org.uk