Dezeen School Shows: a project promoting mindful eating habits through the use of specially designed bowls is included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at Middlesex University.

Also included is a device to promote children's safety and an energy-efficient task light.

Middlesex University

Institution: Middlesex University
School: Faculty of Science and Technology
Course: BA Product Design and BEng Product Design Engineering
Tutors: Kate Herd, Andy Bardill, Wyn Griffiths, Ahmed Patel, Neil Melton, Dean Brown, Brendan Walker, Patrick Jordan and Tom Stables

School statement:

"Product Design and Product Design Engineering at Middlesex University are practice-based programmes focused on employability.

"We are driven by our passion for understanding people and technology; exploring innovative solutions driven by real opportunities and addressing challenges faced by both the industry and society.

"We develop product designers who are innovative, creative, confident and insightful in responding to user needs and who are empowered to go and make a difference in the world."

ReNew: Building and Sustaining Relationships Between People and Products by Amichia (Louis) Aka

"By fostering a more responsible approach to product creation, we can envision a future where durability, repairability and sustainability form the foundation of our consumer goods.

"Allowing people to actively engage and intuitively understand the design language of how their products function, how they go together, come apart, get fixed, upgraded and cleaned – helping to extend product life, both functionally and emotionally.

"This project explores the development of a product framework for re-conceptualising kitchen products and appliances, constructing a narrative and visual language that provides consumers with agency to understand the products they use, that stimulates intellectual curiosity and that fully supports product disassembly and repair.

"Exemplified through a manual hand grinder, the product framework drives the development of both product functionality and user experience, as well as wider sustainable and ethical product lifecycle decision making."

Student: Amichia (Louis) Aka
Course: BA Product Design

ReliefPebble: Support and Reflection by James Boohan-Makhlouf

"Anxiety is currently the most commonly diagnosed mental health problem among young adults in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics (2020).

"Many products, services and therapeutic techniques exist to support anxiety sufferers, yet there remains a gap in the market for more personalised treatments that consider an individual's specific fears, triggers and lifestyle.

"ReliefPebble is a stimming device and accompanying app, with textured surfaces and material selections that respond to current research in stimming behaviours, and an accelerometer and gyro inside the pebble that document time and length of use.

"This data, when shared with the app, supports the user in visualising and tracking their anxiety, helping with reflection and goal setting to manage the condition."

Student: James Boohan-Makhlouf
Course: BA Product Design

BABL: Through the Language Lens by Irum Farooq

"In a world where education evolves rapidly, BABL revolutionises language learning.

"BABL offers a gateway to a world of linguistic exploration and discovery, fostering a positive connection with learning.

"This innovative device provides an immersive platform that adapts effortlessly to a variety of contexts and locations, supporting interactive, hands-on activities and immersive storytelling journeys."

Student: Irum Farooq
Course: BA Product Design

CATABLE: a stimulating space for cats and humans to work and play together by Yi-Chieh (Annie) Ku

"It's estimated in the UK that at least 26 per cent of households own at least one cat, according to research by the Cats Protection League (2024).

"As valued family members, they provide companionship, fun and affection, as well as prompting the release of oxytocin as we interact with them.

"CATABLE offers a functional home workspace in the form of a modular, multifunctional desk, that supports and encourages cat behaviours and interactions through climbing, perching, leaping and sleeping."

Student: Yi-Chieh (Annie) Ku
Course: BA Product Design

REACH: Enhancing accessibility for wheelchair users in a contactless world by Imogen Sykes

"Reach is a device designed to enhance accessibility.

"With 91.2 per cent of transactions in 2022 being contactless transactions, it addresses the unique set of challenges faced by wheelchair users in accessing these payment touch-points.

"Reach empowers users by extending their reach up to 300 millimetres with a simple, extendable one-handed device.

"It uses passive RFID technology for smooth and power-free access, ensuring inclusivity in a society designed for the able-bodied."

Student: Imogen Sykes
Course: BA Product Design

Solstice: Illuminate Life by Leeza Vekariya

"A task light like no other, solstice is a flexible, portable and adjustable task light, suitable for an array of home activities.

"From a focused beam to a wide angle, Solstice provides an energy-efficient solution and embodies the perfect balance of form, function and affordability."

Student: Leeza Vekariya
Course: BA Product Design

CODE-R: a collaborative robotics system created for a community of designer-makers by Charles Mortimer

"Designed to support learning-through-doing, CODE-R is an open-source collaborative robot (cobot) system.

"Designed for and supported by a community of designer-makers, CODE-R explores how robots can participate in a meaningful and helpful way in our daily lives.

"Built around Arduino hardware, with the structural elements created using domestic 3D printers, CODE-R has been designed to be built at home.

"Combining digital files with information and support, the hub of the community will be split between an online repository to share designs ideas and data, a subreddit to post questions to the community and share progress and a Discord server to allow for more detailed support."

Student: Charles Mortimer
Course: BEng Product Design Engineering

Flow: Transforming Football Training by Raed Qutqut

"Flow enables football coaches to visualise player formations, spacing and movement patterns to refine team tactics on the pitch.

"Through real-time data transmission, recording and wearable haptic feedback alerts, player movements and positions are captured and shared.

"This innovation opens up new approaches for enhancing training drills and building team strategy within the sport."

Student: Raed Qutqut
Course: BEng Product Design Engineering

OBERON: Enhancing the Physical with the Digital by Kye Stopford

"Warhammer 40,000 is one of the most popular miniature war games in the world.

"As players enact tabletop battles with miniatures and vehicles, the fights are resolved through rolling dice, simple arithmetic and the extensive rule set that guides the gameplay.

"Oberon is an interactive game aid for Warhammer 40,000, merging the physical and digital world through digital databases and technology.

"Using the 'data slate', miniatures can be scanned during play to draw upon rules and strategies from the extensive imperial archives – this helps make the complexities of the game accessible to all.

"Outside of gameplay, the data slate can be used by collectors to explore and share lore, artwork and character statistics."

Student: Kye Stopford
Course: BEng Product Design Engineering

TrakR: An interactive screen-free communication companion by Mark Bustamante

"TrakR is an innovative safety solution, designed to empower individuals and their families.

"In today's fast-paced world, staying connected with our loved ones is paramount – with TrakR, parents can effortlessly track their child's whereabouts.

"Whether it's school, playdates or extracurricular activities, you'll always know where your little one is, and in emergencies, TrakR provides a location, enabling rapid response – for anything from a medical crisis to a safety concern.

"Fostering open dialogue within families, trakR encourages discussions around tracking with your child, maintaining a healthy balance of communication and privacy."

Student: Mark Bustamante
Course: BA Product Design

Less is More: A discursive duo by Alessia Lattanzio

"Eating disorders are severe illnesses that can affect individuals of all ages, genders and backgrounds.

"Orthorexia is one such disorder that triggers an unhealthy obsession with 'healthy' eating.

"To promote mindful eating and challenge perceptions of portion sizes, this tableware set is designed to stimulate curiosity and conversation around eating behaviours and disorders.

"The two bowls – named Poco and Tanto – are the same size, yet have hidden capacities that create cognitive dissonance.

"Equally suited to an exhibition space or in everyday household use, their purpose is to be a conversation starter, to raise awareness of eating disorders and encourage a healthier approach to food consumption."

Student: Alessia Lattanzio
Course: BA Product Design

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Middlesex University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.