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Visionaries#eyennovationContact lens innovationcompetition

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The Challenge

Contact lens wearers are at the forefront of our mind here at Vision Direct. Eye care innovation is at the top of its game these days, yet lens wearers still face small challenges in their day-to-day life.

That’s why we reached out to students with a question: is there a way to make the lives of contact lens users easier? We encouraged them to let their imagination run wild and design a product that solves some of the small but meaningful challenges that contact lens wearers face daily.

The prize? £25,000 to the winner and £5,000 for their university.

The response was wonderful: 64 entries, 18 universities, 4 countries, all with fantastic problem-solving ideas, from practical issues such as storage and travel, to sustainability, functionality and even jewellery. Our brilliant judging panel of industry innovators have picked their favourite product designs, as well as the grand prize winner, announced on February 26th at our Awards Ceremony. Want to find out who won? Watch this space!

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Shortlisted entries

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Winner

ECOSIGHT

Kristen Tapping
London South Bank University

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Top 10

On the move, Amparo Coiduras

On the move

Amparo Coiduras
Universidad de Zaragoza

hYgo-Rings, Miah Robinson

hYgo-Rings

Miah Robinson
London South Bank University

Calendar case, Diego Bernal Somavilla & Amparo Coiduras

Calendar case

Diego Bernal Somavilla & Amparo Coiduras
Universidad de Zaragoza

Pop Case, Matthieu Muller & Sarah Willemart

Popcase

Matthieu Muller & Sarah Willemart
Royal College of Art

Vision Vessel, Nicholas Pinn

Vision Vessel

Nicholas Pinn
University of Leeds

KONVO, Mario González Santos, Franccesko Bastida, Pablo Beltrán & Luis Martinez

KONVO

Mario González Santos, Franccesko Bastida, Pablo Beltrán & Luis Martinez
Universidad de Zaragoza

Femme, Marta Fontana

Femme

Marta Fontana
Università di Camerino

Scase, Álvaro Millan Estepa

Scase

Álvaro Millan Estepa
Universidad de Málaga

ViSUS CASE, Iola Hughes & Marek Bak

ViSUS CASE

Iola Hughes & Marek Bak
University College London

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Judges

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Kuno Prey

Kuno Prey

Award-winning Italian designer whose products have won a host of international accolades.

On completion of his education in Art and Design, he began operating his own studio. His innate curiosity for design is clearly reflected through his use of interesting materials and technologies. In 1993 Kuno Prey became Professor at the Bauhaus–Universität Weimar, Germany and in 2002, he founded the new Faculty of Design and Art at the Free University of Bolzano, Italy.

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Duncan Shotton

Duncan Shotton

British designer, artist and inventor. His work spans product, packaging, graphic and user interface design.

His mission: to create products that engage users emotionally and promote happiness. He wants to ensure people love what they're doing, wherever they are and whoever they're there with. His studio focuses on designing happiness into everyday things, using themes such as play, wit and illusion to create tools and objects that converge simple ideas with serious product design principles.

Yorgo Lykouria

Yorgo Lykouria

Creative Director, Yorgo leads the design work from his London base.

With more than 17 years as a creative principal, he co-manages international design studio Rainlight with Susan Grossinger. He is recognised for his work in automotive interiors for Ferrari, and various works for Vitra, Akaba, Alape and Dornbracht. In his early years as an architect working in Airports and high-rises, he became the youngest design director at Helmut Jahn's office in Chicago.

Michael Kraftman

Michael Kraftman

CEO of Vision Direct, Michael is at the helm of one of Europe's largest and most trusted online contact lens retailers.

His leadership has taken the company from a small business to an internet giant, disrupting the sector thanks to quality products, fast delivery and exceptional customer service. The UK's first online contact lens retailer, Vision Direct now has more than 200 staff and operates in several European markets, including the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Italy and France.

Marcus Fairs

Marcus Fairs

Founder and editor-in-chief of top design publication Dezeen, Marcus’ work spans across design, architecture, sustainability and innovation.

In 2018, he was named one of London's 1,000 most influential people by the Evening Standard, recognising his lengthy career driving change in society. Over the years, Marcus received multiple prestigious accolades - notably, he was named BSME's Business Web Editor of the Year (2013). In 2003, he launched Icon, an international architecture and design magazine that was awarded Monthly Magazine of the Year in 2005 and 2006. His writing has been published on The Guardian, The Independent, Blueprint and more.

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