In an unprecedented ‘first’ for the Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) competition, the judging panel has awarded top prize to joint winners for 2026, reflecting the high quality and very distinct products they created.
They are Brunel University’s Isaac Faruque with his ‘Cross Connect’ game, and Aston University’s Maya Pai, for her ‘Honeycomb Havoc’ game, both of which offered outstanding solutions to the original brief. Isaac’s entry was recognised for exceptional technical logic and sustainability, while Maya’s design stood out for its market-specific aesthetics and clever design.
This year’s competition asked students to come up with a brand-new game, made primarily from plastics, which can be played indoors or outdoors, be suitable for any specified age range, and be either for learning or activity, or just good old-fashioned fun