Finalists in the smc bmc design awards 2024

Mariana Rodrigues, Juliana França and João Santos won second prize for their modular seating design in the fourth edition of the SMC BMC design awards. This project ingeniously uses components made from SMC BMC material, optimising production logistics and drawing inspiration from local cultural influences in order to enrich its aesthetic appeal. The three students who represented ESAD at the ceremony in Paris received the award from the competition organisers, Thomas Wegman (Director, AOC Nederland B.V.) and Joan Montobbio (President, SMC BMC Alliance), during the prestigious JEC WORLD 2024 fair, the leading international composites show.

Project overview:
Earlier this year, the students were presented with a competition as part of their curriculum studies, with the task of designing products that would benefit all stakeholders involved in the transport industry, including suppliers, public transport companies and end users. The project began with a briefing from SMC BMC representative Jordi Bosacoma, who provided information about SMC BMC materials and the objectives of the competition.

Through collaboration between students and teachers, three design directions emerged:
. G5 units, which incorporate transmitters and receivers for broadband communication;
. SEN3, an automated passenger mobility assistant;
. THE PLATFORM, a modular seating solution designed for station platforms and waiting areas.

The three concepts were meticulously developed and presented at the SMC BMC Design Awards, and were recognised by the competition organisers for their exceptional quality.

Taking part in the competition proved to be an enriching experience for the students, enabling them to create products adapted to the needs of industry and the real requirements of users. Through this process, they gained valuable knowledge about the technical advantages of composite materials, explored new design opportunities and improved their professional profiles and portfolios.

The SMC BMC Design Awards, now in their fourth edition, exemplify the collaborative synergy between industry and education, promoting innovation and pushing the boundaries of product design and user experiences. ESAD remains committed to fostering these partnerships, enriching educational experiences and empowering students to become future leaders in design innovation.

The Master's programme in Product Design embraces opportunities for competitive engagement that foster design innovation for various sectors, including business, industry and society.