A harness designed for hunters to carry wild game out of the bush, a mobile sheep testing station for farmers to scan pregnant ewes, a beverage cooler designed to chill beer in moments, and a portable sports massage table for professional sports teams, have been announced finalist entries in the eighth annual Dyson Product Design Award.A harness designed for hunters to carry wild game out of the bush, a mobile sheep testing station for farmers to scan pregnant ewes, a beverage cooler designed to chill beer in moments, and a portable sports massage table for professional sports teams, have been announced finalist entries in the eighth annual Dyson Product Design Award.Judge Ingrid Leary from the British Council New Zealand, says of the 19 entries judged, the short listed four are examples of Kiwi ingenuity at its best.

"Hunting, farming, sports and enjoying a cold beer are all good old fashioned Kiwi pursuits. Its great to see a little of New Zealand's culture reflected in these forward-thinking designs," she said.

The winning entry will be unveiled at a ceremony in Auckland this week, to recognise and reward a new generation of emerging Kiwi designers with product design ideas that best demonstrate innovative and inspiring solutions to everyday problems.

"Sir James Dyson is possibly the most innovative designer of our time. By working with him to reward design excellence, the British Council is fulfilling its promise to create opportunities for emerging leaders in both NZ and Britain to work together in ways that make a difference to both countries."

The Dyson Product Design Award is supported by the British Council (NZ) and is open to final year tertiary students studying in the areas of design, technology or engineering, and to graduates in these areas who are in their first five years of work.

The 2008 award winner will be named a British Council New Zealand Design Ambassador and will travel to the UK with $3,000 traveling expenses where they'll have the opportunity to tour Dyson's world class Research, Design and Development centre, and meet key members of the British design community.

Says James Dyson, engineer and inventor of the Dyson vacuum cleaner: "As our need for good design and technology increases so does the need for innovative and adventurous designers and engineers. The Dyson Product Design Award encourages young designers to think differently. To create ideas which aren't necessarily slick or stylish - but that solve an everyday problem."

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Image: Iain Tolladay's enjoyment for the sport of pighunting motivated him to design a harness which can safely carry large wild game carcasses up to 100 kilograms in weight.

25/06/08