News
Release
Dan’s design nets the big one
Graduate
of The Glasgow School of Art, Dan Watson, has scooped the International James
Dyson Award it was announced today, 8 November 2012. Watson developed his
SafetyNet, an escape ring that can be fitted to trawler nets to help juvenile and non-target species escape, whilst
a final year Product Design Engineering (PDE) student at the GSA. At a time
when the sustainability of fish stocks is centre stage, this design comes as a
welcome innovation with worldwide application.
James Dyson
says, ‘This tangible technology
approaches a serious environmental problem, we should celebrate it. SafetyNet
shows how young graduates like Dan can tackle global issues ignored by
established industries in new and inventive ways.’
“The Glasgow School of Art is thrilled to
hear of Dan’s success,” says Professor Seona Reid Director of the Glasgow
School of Art. “ A commitment to design
which makes a positive difference to people’s lives and the environment
is a characteristic of our Product Design Engineering programme and the
graduates from it. We very proud of Dan and wish him continued success as
he takes the SafetyNet forward.”
hear of Dan’s success,” says Professor Seona Reid Director of the Glasgow
School of Art. “ A commitment to design
which makes a positive difference to people’s lives and the environment
is a characteristic of our Product Design Engineering programme and the
graduates from it. We very proud of Dan and wish him continued success as
he takes the SafetyNet forward.”
“PDE final year projects are diverse and
Dan’s SafetyNet project is a classic example of what happens when the PDE
approach is applied to a real life challenge,” adds Craig Whittet, Head of PDE at the GSA. “We very proud of Dan and the news of the
James Dyson Award is also fantastic for the department. However, the work
doesn’t stop there. Dan continues to focus on developing the SafetyNet and the
awareness raised and financial support of the award will undoubtedly help. The
true prize will be the introduction of the SafetyNet to the market and the
social, environmental and economic benefits that it provides”
Dan’s SafetyNet project is a classic example of what happens when the PDE
approach is applied to a real life challenge,” adds Craig Whittet, Head of PDE at the GSA. “We very proud of Dan and the news of the
James Dyson Award is also fantastic for the department. However, the work
doesn’t stop there. Dan continues to focus on developing the SafetyNet and the
awareness raised and financial support of the award will undoubtedly help. The
true prize will be the introduction of the SafetyNet to the market and the
social, environmental and economic benefits that it provides”
A
former winner of The Observer Ethical Award, Virgin Media Pioneers Pitch2Rich
and a Shell Live Wire Award, Dan is hoping that in combination with changes of
policy, his SafetyNet design will help ensure sustainable fish stocks for
generations to come whilst also supporting the vital fishing industry.
former winner of The Observer Ethical Award, Virgin Media Pioneers Pitch2Rich
and a Shell Live Wire Award, Dan is hoping that in combination with changes of
policy, his SafetyNet design will help ensure sustainable fish stocks for
generations to come whilst also supporting the vital fishing industry.
Dan
Watson is one of an impressive list of alumni in Industrial Design/PDE at the
GSA including “Bond car” designer, Ian Callum (currently Head of Design for Jaguar
Landrover), the current Head of Design Kindle (Amazon), the Head of Research
and South East Asia for Dyson, and recent winner of a Shell Livewire Grand
Ideas Award, Amy Corbett
Watson is one of an impressive list of alumni in Industrial Design/PDE at the
GSA including “Bond car” designer, Ian Callum (currently Head of Design for Jaguar
Landrover), the current Head of Design Kindle (Amazon), the Head of Research
and South East Asia for Dyson, and recent winner of a Shell Livewire Grand
Ideas Award, Amy Corbett
For full
details of Safety Net and a video demonstrating how the innovation works see:
details of Safety Net and a video demonstrating how the innovation works see:
Further
information on Dan Watson at http://dan-watson.co.uk/
information on Dan Watson at http://dan-watson.co.uk/
Ends
For further information and interviews contact:
Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474
Note for Editors
The James Dyson
Award is an international student design award running in 18 countries. It’s
run by the James Dyson Foundation, James Dyson’s charitable trust, as part of
its mission to encourage the next generation of design engineers to be
creative, challenge and invent.
Award is an international student design award running in 18 countries. It’s
run by the James Dyson Foundation, James Dyson’s charitable trust, as part of
its mission to encourage the next generation of design engineers to be
creative, challenge and invent.