The Blackwood Design Awards have commended two different Scottish inventors for their innovations what help improve the lives of older and disable people.

Focusing on technological inventions, the awards highlight accessible innovations that allow people to live independently.

The successful shortlisted inventors joined at the V&A Dundee for the winners to be announced weeks after they originally pitched their ideas to the Dragon Den style competition.

Nick Fitzpatrick, an engineer from Edinburgh, picked up the Best New Concept for his kettle redesign to help users independently and safely operate at home.

Driven by his grandmother’s struggles, Fitzpatrick, founder of Inclu, reinvented the design of a kettle to balance the functional needs of target users, ensuring people can safely and independently use the appliance.

The dual horizontal handles give users a flexible and easy carrying experience, with a lid designed to allow users to fill the kettle without needing to open the lid, and a raised stand that boils the water while eliminating the need to lift and pour after boiling. Instead the user presses a single button to dispense the water into an object underneath.

“Creating beautiful products for the home that are inclusive and accessible for people of all abilities is my goal,” Fitzpatrick said.

“My kettle reinvention aims to solve the functional problems posed by mainstream kettles without becoming a stigmatising product. It does this by rethinking how a kettle should be used – modern technology like an induction coil housed in the stand of the kettle.

“The dual-handles and raised stand have the biggest impact on the user experience as they allow people with reduced strength and dexterity to lift the kettle more easily and it removes the need to tilt and pour water entirely.

“It’s great to know that other people see the value in the work I’m doing, and I’m really excited about the opportunities this award will open up for me in the future.”

In another win for Scotland, Charlie Wilson and the University of Strathclyde won Best Collaboration for the restructure of an electric plug to work on a push mechanism for removal instead of pull.

Wilson’s design, in partnership with Strathclyde University, aims to make the removal of electrical plugs easier by offering a push option rather than only pull – as well as giving different grip options.

Working with people with arthritis, the design was created on the basis that many of them find current electrical plug designs uncomfortable and would have to ask for assistance, which impacts their independence.

Wilson said: “My project focused on redesigning electrical plugs for people with arthritis. Some amazing people with arthritis shared feedback and personal experiences which fed into the final design – which focuses on being able to push the plug to remove it removing the need for grip strength.

“I feel very proud to have won this award and it’s given me confidence that there is the need for a product like this alongside genuine interest in creating more inclusive designs in general. It was also so great to see all the other people working to increase independence and comfort of those of us with disabilities.

“I’m partially sighted and believe in inclusive design, the principle of designing for the widest range of people possible.”

Sponsors of the design awards include Hyper Luminal Games and Social Telecoms whose generosity have provided overall awards sponsorship and £2000 prize money for the two new-to-market inventions so that they can develop their designs further. Scotland based, Global Intellectual Property experts, Murgitroyd, are also supporting the winners and shortlisted candidates with advice and support on how to protect the rights of their inventions and the V&A Dundee have been proud hosts and supporter of BDA 2022 too.

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The panel of industry experts included: John Logan (Blackwood tenant and previous panel member), Gemma Lumsdaine (Wheelchair Rugby Coach for Dundee Dragons), Ryan MacDonald (Military Matters Manager at Housing Options Scotland and previous panel member), Jo Mawdsley (Head of Learning V&A Dundee), Julie McDowell (Blackwood’s Board Chair), Christina Miller (Communications Manager at Euan’s Guide), Emma Muldoon (UK travel and disabled blogger) and Gordon Stark (Chief Executive Officer at Murgitroyd).

Franchea Kelly, Blackwood’s Chief Executive said: “These inventions make a huge difference in helping people to live more independently and that’s what we aim to promote and encourage with the Blackwood Design Awards.

“The shortlist this year showcased truly phenomenal work and clever thinking and we thank all those who got involved for committing their time to such important endeavors.”

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