PRODUCT CATEGORY

Your chance to vote

The season of the BBC Design Awards is upon us, with design for once ousting snooker and cricket out of a prime viewing slot on BBC2 and presenter Janet Street-Porter doing her bit to boost audience figures.

Three programmes are planned to allow viewers the chance to assess the five shortlisted entries in each of the three categories. You saw the first programme last night on product design, and architecture/environments and graphics are scheduled for showings at 7.30pm on 12 June and 19 June respectively.

The winners chosen by the public will be screened on 8 July. But we invite you to make your selection on behalf of the design community.

So get your votes in on product design, with architecture/environments to follow next week. Comments are welcome – as are nominations for projects completed over the past year but not included in the BBC shortlist.

Study the shortlisted five presented here and name your winner to Amanda Lake. Tel: 0171-439 4222 or fax 0171-734 1770. Or you can send e-mail to lyndark@centaur.co.uk.

1 Freeplay clockwork radio designed by Andy Davey of TKO

The wind-up radio developed by UK inventor Trevor Baylis for the developing world is made of recycled plastic and is robust enough to withstand an air-drop.

2 Eurostar train nose designed by Mike Rodber of Jones Garrard

Eurostar’s UK-designed nose achieves new levels of aerodynamic performance and gives the driver a better view out.

3 Mekong wheelchair designed by Simon Gue and Ian Harris of Motivation

Designed initially for use in Cambodia, the low-cost three-wheeled chair combines local materials and bicycle technology and performs well on rough terrain.

4 Creative Effects instant camera designed by Paul Priestman of Priestman Goode

Made by Fisher Price, this kids’ camera uses a CCD chip and miniature printer to produce instant black and white prints to various formats.

5 Attila beverage can crusher designed by Julian Brown of Studio Brown

This colourful can crusher is made of plastics throughout, using injection-moulded ABS, and is designed to crush metal drinks cans.