RSA Student Design Awards
The briefs
The 2012/13 briefs address important social, environmental and economic issues, such as the workplaces and working conditions of the future (Workplace 2030); how we can improve our understanding of water and its value in our society (Valuing Water); how design might help answer questions about spirituality (Speaking of the Spiritual); and how designers can use their communication skills to promote sustainable living (Change Makers).
Download all briefsWorkplace 2030
Creating the workplace for future generations
Create a vision for the workplace of the future or an aspect of it that responds to the needs and wants of generations to come.
Download this brief (PDF)
Award 1: The Royal Bank of Scotland Award
Value: £3,000
Circular City
Design the built environment for flexibility and zero waste
Design a structure or other element of the built environment that can be easily disassembled or reconfigured to meet different functional requirements and helps to eliminate construction waste.
BREEAM: design and assessment method for sustainable buildings
Tags: building, circular economy, green economy, adaptive, sustainability, resources
Award 1: The Patricia Tindale Legacy Award
Value: £1500
Award 2: Royal Mail Award
Value: £1000
Valuing Water
Use design to help people understand the value of water.
Design a means of better communicating and/or revealing the inherent value of water so that people improve their understanding of water as a limited natural resource and a commodity.
Award 1: Paid internship at Yorkshire Water
Value: £1500 plus accommodation expenses
Award 2: RSA Fellows' Award
Value: £1250
Improve Water Environments
Reduce water pollution and restore natural river features
Design or re-design a system, service, product or environment that tackles issues of water pollution and/or the effect of man-made structures on our rivers.
Improving our towns and cities by tackling water pollution (PDF)
Reducing Diffuse Pollution to Rivers
NDRC - How to Clean Up Pour Water
Tags: water, environment, habitat, wildlife, rivers, aquifers, nature, natural features, impact, contamination, pollution
Award 1: Paid internship at the Environment Agency
Value: £2500
Award 2: RSA Fellows' Award
Value: £1250
Social Insurance
Putting the people back into premiums
Design a means of making car insurance more affordable for young people, namely students, by encouraging safer driving behaviour.
Tags: insurance, young people, innovation, social, society, premium, network
Award 1: Endsleigh Insurance Services Award
Value: £1500
Award 2: RSA Fellows' Award
Value: £1500
Speaking of the Spiritual
Use design to help people be spiritual with clarity and confidence
Design a service, product, environment, or communications campaign that addresses spiritual needs in contemporary contexts.
Mind expanding: Scientific and spiritual foundation for the schools we need (PDF)
Spirituality as a Public Affair
Tags: spiritual, public, society, behaviour, environment
Award 1: Touchstone Trust Award
Value: £1500
Change Makers
Use design to eliminate waste, over-production or excessive consumption
Create and produce a design solution that persuades people to consume less, reduce waste and to be more efficient with the planet's resources.
The Centre for Sustainable Design
The Sustainable Design Network
Tags: sustainable, work, design, over-consumption, waste, resources, efficiency, behaviour, change
Award 1: Paid internship at Waitrose (Graphic Design)
Value: £3700 (£2500 plus Royal Mail Award of £1200)
Award 2: Paid internship at Springetts Brand Consultants
Value: £3700 (£2500 plus Royal Mail Award of £1200)
The Good Journey
Make people look forward to their daily commute
Identify a daily journey - either your own or someone else's - and improve it in a way that improves it for many people.
NCR - RSA Tutor Briefing Day presentation
Tags: transport, public transport, commuting, experience, behaviour, social, vehicle, environment
Award 1: Paid internship at NCR
Value: £4250
Award 2: Royal Mail Award
Value: £1000