Shortlist announced for Glasgow awards

Jewellery and product design engineering have a strong showing in this year’s Glasgow 1999 Design Medal shortlist, announced last week. A Hydro Pod to ease back pain and a collection of jewellery inspired by French Fancies are among the line-up of candidates.

Organised by The Lighthouse, Scotland’s Centre for Architecture and Design, this year’s competition saw a record number of nominations, according to Lucy McEachan, exhibition manager at The Lighthouse. ‘There was an impressive standard, particularly from the University of Strathclyde,’ she says.

Tutors within Glasgow’s art colleges and universities nominate potential candidates, who are then selected for a shortlist of ten. University of Strathclyde Product Design Engineering graduate Liam Hastie has been nominated for his Acti-Wake interactive alarm clock. Designed for those who have problems getting out of bed, it switches off only when the user stands in front of it and presses buttons to generate a sequence of colours.

Another Product Design Engineering graduate, Andrew Grant of the Glasgow School of Art, is on the shortlist for medical projects including a Blood Sugar Monitor and a Hydro Pod that pumps water through a body wrap to help ease muscle pain. Fellow GSA student, Silversmithing graduate Suzanne Smith, has been nominated for her Time For Tea jewellery collection (pictured).

The winner will be announced on 16 November and the prize – a medal and £1000 travel bursary – will be presented by Peter Saville.