Final-year Product Design students from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) have been recognised for their innovation and real-world impact, receiving $18,500 in industry-sponsored awards at the recent 2025 Industry Evening held at Tūranga Library.
The awards evening was the culmination of a week-long public showcase, where students exhibited their final-year projects. The showcase attracted members of the public, school groups, and UC graduates and their families during graduation week.
Top awards went to:
- Emily Tobbell, who received the $10,000 Anna Wilson Design for Tomorrow Award. Her product line supports ostomy patients with discreet, odour-controlling solutions designed to reduce stigma. Emily, who graduated with a conjoint BProdDesign/BSc in Chemical Formulation Design and Chemistry, also won 1st place ($1,500) in the Chemical Formulation Design project awards.
- Kaden Brock was awarded 1st prize ($3,000) in the Springfree Keith Alexander Prize for Industrial Product Design for his work on recycling nylon fishing waste into more durable fishing gear.
- Renee Sayal received 2nd prize ($2,000) in the same category for designing a tool to prevent repetitive strain injury in dentists.
Additional awards sponsored by Shieling Laboratories, A S Harrison & Co., and Pure Ingredients recognised work in insect-protein foods (Kyra Elliott, $1,000) and a waterless shower solution for travellers (Emmalee Abbott Joe, $500).
In Game Design, a five-person team (Oliver Coates, Kelso du Mez, Finn Wescombe, James Anderson, Kevin Kang) shared a $500 prize from Black Salt Games for developing a grand strategy game focused on empire building, trade, and diplomacy.
