Creating the products of tomorrow: Boys tackle Huawei design challenge
Tonbridge’s Lower Sixth boys have been meeting a product design challenge set by Huawei, one of the world’s leading technology companies.
Their brief was to design and produce a visual prototype of a new product that will help to facilitate remote working. Their creation needed to reflect the vision, styling and quality associated with the brand.
Developed in partnership with the School’s Design Technology Department, the challenge saw the A-level students researching various types of emerging technology, from virtual reality glasses and remote charging to new ways of folding computer accessories such as keyboards and trackpads.
During the judging process, each student was given a five-minute slot to make their design pitch, show their completed model and sum up their corporate vision. Exciting prizes were on offer in the form of laptops and smart watches.
Head of Department, Richard Day, said: “This was an exciting and challenging design brief. The judges from Huawei and Tonbridge were hugely impressed at the range of sophisticated and creative solutions the students came up with, which pushed the boundaries of traditional design. The ways in which people work have changed enormously since the pandemic, and have opened up tremendous opportunities for designers to meet the needs of this new age.”
The top three prize winners were:
1st: Ewan Gadd-Chapman (CH4)
Design: Earbud charging hub.
Judges’ comments: The best all-round project that identifies a genuine need and a product that could in theory be rolled out now.
2nd: Jolyon Rush (WH4)
Design: Wireless projector.
Most professional package (Concept/Presentation/Prototype model).
3rd: Will Clarke (PH4)
Design: Wireless charger.
Most innovative product that is achievable with current technology.
Runners-up prizes were awarded to:
Alastair Cheuk (Sc4)
Design: Retractable keyboard.
Most portable product.
Alex Pope-Saffer (SH4)
Design: Keyboard/trackpad.
Most niche product – highly desirable for design and creative professionals.
Tolly Wilson (WH4)
Design: AR glasses.
Most forward-thinking concept.
The School’s winners are pictured above.
