Museums Victoria Learning Partner Swinburne University of Technology celebrated Victoria’s most promising young designers with the inaugural Swinburne University of Technology Top Designs Awards.
A panel of experts from Swinburne School of Design and Architecture and Museums Victoria, selected winners from the 81 exhibitors within this year’s exhibition. Four award categories were developed: Product Design; Visual Communication Design; Engineering Design and Technology and Digital Media Design, each capturing multiple VCE and VET subject areas. The winners and highly commended recipients were awarded based on quality of concept, execution and innovation, as well as the feasibility, sustainability, and potential for impact of their work.
Congratulations to the 2026 Swinburne University of Technology Top Designs Awards recipients
AWARDS RECIPIENTS
St Michael's Grammar School, St Kilda
Boon Wurrung Bunurong Country
AuraAthletic Sports Water Bottle
Black ABS 3D Printing filament, TPU 3D Printing filament, Beech wood
In recreational sports leagues, stressful environments mixed with seemingly limitless extra belongings (such as tape or mouthguards) make game days an opportunity like no other for belongings to be lost. My design brief aimed to combat this issue by putting storage for any extra items in a product that will always be by the player’s side – their water bottle. The storage compartment contains a comfortable location for a mouthguard and also features an insert where players can store their removed jewellery without any worries.
Yarra Valley Grammar, Ringwood
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Sleeping Bag Jacket
Nylon ripstop rainproof fabric, press studs, zip, cotton wadding
In 2021, 30,660 people were reported as being without a home in Victoria. Those experiencing homelessness face discomfort, safety risks, limited mobility, and reduced dignity due to the harsh conditions of sleeping on Melbourne’s streets. The Sleeping Bag Jacket is designed to convert from a wearable jacket and vest into a comfortable sleeping bag. Addressing issues of warmth and personal security, this design offers a contemporary, multifunctional solution that adapts to the daily challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness.
Gippsland Grammar School, Sale
Gunaikurnai Country
Nesting Tables
Victorian Ash, Jarrah
These two round nesting tables showcase a refined blend of craftsmanship and the natural beauty of the materials. Made from Victorian Ash, each piece highlights the timber’s grain and strength, while a contrasting Jarrah inlay adds a striking touch of richness and character. Designed to nest seamlessly, the tables offer both practicality and elegance. Laminations on the rails achieve the curves that follow the round top and a segmented top fitted with biscuits for a strong design.
Unit of Competency
MSFFP2020 Undertake a basic furniture making project
Katie Ho
Box Hill High School, Box Hill
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Snug as a Bug
Plush design and presentation board
Faux fur, minky fabric, microglass beads, polyester stuffing
Brand Guidelines booklet and Style Guide presentation board
Inkjet print, paper, foam core
Snug as a Bug is an organisation that caters to older teens and young adults who are autistic and/or experience sensory sensitivities. They required a product that provides physical and emotional comfort for its target audience, alongside a comprehensive brand identity. A combination of soft textures, warm tones and weighted features achieve a comforting and functional plush design. The Brand Guideline booklet utilises earthy-tones, playful imagery and clear typography to reflect the comfort and accessibility for which the client strives.
Yarra Valley Grammar, Ringwood
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
RIDE WITH A SHELL
E-Mobility shelter
Polylactic Acid (PLA) 3D-printed components, foam board, textured modelling turf, sandpaper road surface
Promotional campaign and parking map for e-mobility
Inkjet print, paper
Public Transport Victoria (PTV) required an integrated e-mobility solution to address unsafe parking, vandalism and low rider confidence. My design combines a modular shelter with a promotional campaign and parking map to support safe, organised scooter and bike use. The shelter features a flexible, sustainable structure incorporating PTV’s triangular geometry, while the campaign applies a unified visual identity. Shared colours, hierarchy and the ‘SHELL’ logo link all outcomes, with the pun referencing both shelter and helmet to reinforce safety for users.
Kardinia International College, Bell Post Hill
Wadawurrung Country
Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System
10W Monocrystalline solar panel (12V), Arduino Uno, linear actuator, Nema-17 stepper motor, L293D motor driver, L298N motor driver, 7ah SLA battery, solar charge controller, toggle switch, light-dependent resistor (LDR) sensors
I have created a dual-axis solar tracking system that keeps a solar panel aligned with the sun throughout the day. Four LDR sensors are arranged around a cross divider, which shades them from indirect light. The Arduino Uno compares the sensor readings and controls the stepper motor and linear actuator through the motor drivers. The system is designed to maximise the panel's energy output, which charges a detachable SLA battery.
St Helena Secondary College, Eltham North
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Reforestation Rover
Polylactic Acid (PLA) components, Lithium-Ion batteries, Raspberry Pi, NoIR Camera, ultrasonic range sensor, 36GP-3530 motors, servos, motor driver boards, GPS Receiver, TP-Link MR6500V Router, DC to DC buck converters, Archimedes screw
I developed the Reforestation Rover as an affordable alternative to existing industrial, agricultural seed-planting robotics, addressing the issue of deforestation in low socio-economic areas. Allowing for global remote control, the rover employs 5 electromechanical subsystems while drilling holes, planting and covering seeds. The drill lowers, contacting microswitches, signalling the Raspberry Pi to raise the drill and rotate an Archimedes screw, releasing the seeds. The soil-mover lowers while driving forwards, covering the seed with a fine layer of soil.
Mildura Senior College, Mildura
First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee, being Latji Latji and Ngintait Traditional Owners
Patrick's Playtime
Animation
Adobe Animate, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Procreate
I created Patrick’s Playtime as a short 2D animation inspired by mini-educational children’s television episodes. The story follows a young boy (voiced by my brother) and his friend, the narrator, as they enjoy a day at the park and delight in the excitement of counting and cookies.
Units of Competency
CUAANM301 Create 2D digital animations
CUADIG304 Create visual design components
Caulfield Grammar School, Wheelers Hill
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Pride
Animation
Adobe Animate, Adobe Photoshop
I created Pride, a short 2D animation skit made in Adobe Animate, that follows a close LGBTQIA+ focused friendship group. Through their light-hearted banter and everyday antics, the animation promotes awareness and highlights pride-themed merchandise. The casual conversations are designed to challenge and break down common stigmas surrounding the queer community. As the skit concludes, it offers a brief but meaningful insight into the significance of Pride Month before ending on a playful, uplifting note.
Units of Competency
CUAANM301 Create 2D digital animations
CUADIG304 Create visual design components
Partners
