Wood, Metals and Plastics

Jocelyn Chee

Trinity Grammar School, Kew / Ruyton Girls' School, Kew
Wurundjeri Country

Bamboo air purifying unit with carved design and a power switch on top. — *Aerify* by Jocelyn Chee, Top Designs 2024. Photo by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Aerify Air Purifier

Carbonised bamboo, PLA, power supply, fan, HEPA Filter

The COVID-19 pandemic created a heightened awareness of wellbeing, and data on rising air pollution levels has led people to prioritise their respiratory health. This paradigm shift prompted me to create an air purifier, not just for respiratory issues, but also to improve one’s quality of life. My product focuses on minimising environmental impact and is a seamless blend of aesthetics and functionality - purifying the air you breathe and adding a touch of elegance to your space.

Luca Cimino

Marcellin College, Bulleen
Wurundjeri Country

Suspended light feature with sculptural, undulating wood components. — *CLM1* by Luca Cimino, Top Designs 2024. Photo by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

CLM1

Victorian ash, acrylic

CLM1 is designed and based around the Citylink M1, a road located southeast of the Melbourne CBD. CLM1 is a pendant light designed to illuminate and enliven an otherwise bland foyer. My design is based on a road system as my end user is a traffic engineering company, and the product aims to represent their values and expertise. The grain of the hardwood is accentuated through many coats of varnish. This natural aesthetic, paired with the form of the clear acrylic rods, creates an abstract light piece. The design can be alternately interpreted by each of its observers.

Sophia Du

Trinity Grammar School, Kew / Ruyton Girls' School, Kew
Wurundjeri Country

Upcycled Pet Carrier

Corflute

To meet the demands of our ever-evolving world, we continually consume valuable resources that accumulate in landfill. As the number of pets per household is rapidly increasing, I have designed a sustainable, upcycled pet carrier made from discarded corflute sheets. The product reduces the need for new materials and creation of additional waste. The carrier is compact, lightweight and comfortable for both end users, as well as flat-packable and easy to assemble due to its laser cut, net design.

Georgie Evans

Northcote High School, Northcote
Wurundjeri Country

Geometric wooden shelving unit with purple and red feature pieces in the centre. — *Meridian* by Georgie Evans, Top Designs 2024. Photo by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Meridian

Merbau, pine, Tasmanian oak, paint, screws

As more people find themselves living in smaller spaces, storage is increasingly important. While conventional shelving options focus on function over form, the Meridian shelf combines functionality with unique, retro inspired visuals. After outlining the needs of my end user, I conducted research into their preferred design styles as well as storage dimensions and functionality for a wall mounted shelf. Through visualisations and refinement, I created a stylish and multifunctional design piece.

Tilly Jones

Carey Baptist Grammar School, Kew
Wurundjeri Country

Wooden table that features an inbuilt tabletop board game called 'Dustpanally'. — *Games Table* by Tilly Jones, Top Designs 2024. Photo by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Games Table

Bamboo, paint, card, PLA plastic, dice

During lockdown, board games served as an important means of interaction. My goal in making the Games Table was to create something that the family could use and enjoy together. I researched most frequently played games, including ones that might inspire kids to learn about global issues, including sustainability. Dustpanally and Chess are the two games featured in this distinctive and multifunctional design, which also includes a place to store all game accessories.

Amelie Nguyen

Carey Baptist Grammar School, Kew
Wurundjeri Country

Top and centre views of two wooden standing lights with organic shapes. — *The Pods Light* by Amelie Nguyen, Top Designs 2024. Photo by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

The Pods Light

Jelutong wood, concrete, epoxy resin

Post-lockdown, many teenagers are experiencing anxiety-related sleep disruption. The Pods Light is designed to illuminate spaces without hindering the production of melatonin in the hours before sleep. It provides warm lighting to provide a soothing and calming glow without causing eye strain. I took inspiration from nature and organic seed pod shapes to create a piece that is both grounding and timeless. The Pods Light aims to be both functional for everyday life and an aesthetic addition to any room.

Michael Streader

University High School, Parkville
Wurundjeri Country

Two wooden nesting boxes sitting side by side, both featuring a striking carved design. — *Microbat and Pardalote Nest Boxes* by Michael Streader, Top Designs 2024. Photo by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Microbat and Pardalote Nest Boxes

Recycled hardwood fence palings, Hoop Pine plywood, metal hardware, beeswax, oil

Australia has one of the highest rates of biodiversity decline worldwide, with habitat loss a leading cause. In urban areas, where almost half of these threatened animals can be found, vital nesting hollows are in critically short supply. The artificial alternatives are often poorly insulated, lack important species-specific design features, and are unattractive in appearance. My range of nest boxes aims to encourage the installation of artificial habitat in urban areas by combining pleasing aesthetics with improved artificial habitat quality.

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Person wears a cape adorned with butterfly illustrations. A green, yellow and brown shift dress is worn underneath.