Caption: Tony Robinson (centre) presented Mike Cardew of Static Systems (left) and Jan Holland of H2 Product Development with the prestigious BDI Industry and Genius Award.
Design company H2 Product Development, working closely with Static Systems Group, took the main award, presented by actor and author, Tony Robinson, at the prestigious Birmingham Design Initiative Awards. Now in its 10th year, the awards recognise examples of outstanding design.
Judges voting Static Systems’ new patient hand units the winning overall entry in the 2007, BDI Industry and Genius Award, were generous in their comments. “A true example of how design can contribute to well being within a public domain.” “Great design – all aspects considered – a real understanding of patient needs,” were just two of the comments from the five strong judging panel.
Static Systems’ recently launched the patient hand units, which are used to call for nursing assistance and also to control other services such as patient bedside televisions and lighting.
H2 designed a new generation of patient hand units along with a range of other Static Systems’ products including concepts for the Modus bedhead services trunking system. H2 worked in close collaboration throughout the consultation, design and testing processes, with the Static Systems’ team headed by technical director, Mike Cardew.
Using the latest digital design technology, H2 created stunning initial designs and presented these as photorealistic visuals. This proved an invaluable aid to gaining critical input from a range of user groups and specialist bodies including the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Static Systems and H2 were committed to the idea of ‘inclusive design’ and embracing the principles and recommendations of the Disability Discrimination Act.
The RNIB was commissioned to ensure the products were accessible to the widest number of disabled people with impaired vision and other conditions. The RNIB later awarded a product endorsement to the hand units.
The ergonomic new hand units boast many new innovations, are completely waterproof and incorporate the latest anti-microbial additives and coatings to assist with the hospital’s hygiene and cleaning regimes.
The new designs have played a significant role in securing a raft of contracts in the UK as well as overseas in the Middle East and Far East.