13 October 2005
Monash University student Adam Smith has taken out the 2005Wheels Automotive Design Award for 'Young Designer of the Year'. The award was announced in Sydney last night, on the eve of the Australian International Motor Show.
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Wheels Automotive Design Award winner Adam Ty Dean Smith. |
Mr Smith, a Bachelor of Industrial Design honours student at Monash's Caulfield campus, won from a field of 10 finalists -- nine of whom were from Monash. His prize includes a nine-month contract to work in design with Ford Australia.
Mr Smith designed a futuristic car named 'Punk' that was friendly to the driver, passengers and the environment. His design was judged the best by a panel of leading Australian design experts and a Wheels magazine reader.
The three highly commended awards were also presented to Monash students -- Mr Max Tran and Mr Drew King, both fourth year (honours) students in Industrial Design, and Mr John Leung, who is in his third year of a double degree in Industrial Design and Engineering (mechanical).
Monash Faculty of Art and Design lecturer Mr Mark Richardson, who leads the transport design component of the Industrial Design course that Adam Smith is undertaking for his final year of study, was delighted with the outcome.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for Adam to break into the industry," Mr Richardson said. "The award is well recognised in the automotive and design industry, and we are thrilled Adam has been selected as the winner and that nine of our students were finalists.
"These students have been waiting all their life to design cars, so to make it this far in a national competition is a dream come true. The result further cements Monash's reputation for producing Australia's top transport designers," he said.
Monash's Industrial Design course offers transport design as an elective component in third year and is the only course in Australia to offer it as a fourth year studio specialisation.
The Wheels Automotive Design Awards are developed by Wheels magazine in collaboration with the Australian Design Awards and Ford Australia. Entrants in the competition are required to use and exploit technology to 'create a car that seats at least two, utilises hybrid technology and is dedicated to excitement'. The competition is open to graduating students of selected tertiary design courses Australia-wide.
The designs of all 10 finalists will be on display at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney from 14-23 October.
For interviews or further information contact Ms Lauren Bialkower, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Faculty of Art and Design on +61 3 9903 1832 or mobile 0418 313 937, or Ms Karen Stichtenoth, Media Communications on +61 3 9905 1253.
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