GMIT design student shortlisted in Artsthread 2021 global design show

A device created by a GMIT student that assists individuals with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in writing, drawing and/or painting, has been shortlisted for an award in this year’s ArtsThread (2021) Global Graduate Design Show in collaboration with Gucci.

GMIT student Mckella Daly from Milltown, Co Kerry, designed the dexterity device called “Saor” as part of her final year studies on the BA Design programme (specialty Industrial Design) at the GMIT School of Design & Creative Arts in Galway City. Mckella finished her degree studies this year and will graduate in November. Her project is shortlisted in the “Design for Social Good, Product Design and Industrial Design” category of the ArtsThread international competition. Earlier this month, Mckella was awarded a Highly Commended Award for the device at the European Product Design Awards (Life Science Design category).

Saor, meaning "free" as Gaeilge, has a unique circular grip that allows users to hold the product in a way that does not affect the clenched shape of their hand caused by their CP. The silicone padding allows for comfort during extended periods of use and it has a spring-loaded joint to change the orientation of the pen. It allows users to use different materials and has a “V” shaped slot which stops the pen slipping out of position.

Alex Brownless, Co-Founder ArtsThread, says: "Mckella has done incredibly well to be one of the 500 shortlisted out of a total of 5211 entries worldwide from over 600 creative higher education institutions!”

Describing her project, Mckella Daly says: “From my research, it was clear that COVID-19 presented many more challenges for people with disabilities from medical challenges to isolation. I focused my research on the physical disability of CP as they are considered to be at high risk of developing a severe and possibly life-threatening case of the virus. I discovered that 17 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with CP so the aim of my project was to enable them to express themselves, gain independence, take part in occupational therapy, take part in activities and allow them more freedom, by providing them with the opportunity to write, draw or paint.”

“From my time at GMIT and the journey that I have undertaken during my final year project, I have developed a strong interest in universal design and human-centred design. One of the most rewarding experiences I had was during the testing phase of my final year project where a 10-year-old boy, Liam, tested one of my prototypes and was able to write his name for the first time in his life. To see the delight on Liam’s and his family’s faces made the whole process worthwhile. Being shortlisted for an award in this year’s ArtsThread (2021) Global Graduate Design Show is a fantastic honour and I am delighted to be part of such an esteemed award”.

Mckella’s lecturers Ainslie Peters and Kenneth Nevin said: “We are very proud of Mckella’s success in being shortlisted in this prestigious international competition. The final stage of the judging series is by a public and judges vote and we wish Mckella the best of success. Her project focuses on inclusion when she considered the brief “Adapting to the New Norm”. Her device helps some children with CP to express themselves through writing and painting and it will be of similar support to people with severe arthritis. An important objective of our teaching in Industrial Design here in GMIT’s School of Design & Creative Arts is to foster design thinking strategies and the development of innovative approaches to make positive contributions to society and tackle challenges of our time. The success of Mckella is a testament to this ethos. We are immensely proud of her achievement.”
 

For details about Mckella’s product see: https://www.productdesignaward.eu/winners/hm/2017/22370421/ . Member of the public can vote for favourite artists and designers. Votes can be cast here  https://www.artsthread.com/events/globaldesigngraduateshow/.  Voting closes on Wednesday 13 October and the winners will be announced on Monday 18 October.

For further information about courses in GMIT’s School of Design & Creative Arts in Galway City, see:
https://www.gmit.ie/design-and-creative-arts/school-design-and-creative-arts   

ENDS

Issued by Regina Daly, GMIT Communications & Press Officer, GMIT, Dublin Road, Galway.
0879618355 (m) regina.daly@gmit.ie   www.gmit.ie/news

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