Some of Coventry University’s most gifted automotive design students saw their achievements rewarded in an awards ceremony which was held at a unique event hosted by Coventry University and sponsored by design, engineering and recruitment specialists Contechs.
For the past 11 years the Warwick based firm presented awards to final year undergraduates in the University’s School of Art and Design, in recognition of outstanding design achievements.
The awards ceremony further cements the long-standing relationship between Contechs and Coventry University. For over a decade the university has provided research, supervisory knowledge and specialist expertise to Contechs and the two regularly work alongside each other on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
It was however the first year that Contechs worked in such close collaboration with Coventry University and sponsored a full day presentation entitled, Aerodynamics in Automotive Design, which focused on the relationship between the objective needs of aerodynamics and the evolution of cars aesthetics and their development. It was also a first for the University.
Held at the University’s Square One Cinema within its innovative Hub complex, the day was attended by over 120 automotive design specialists throughout the day including Paolo Martin Fiat Design Director and Harris Mann Chief Designer British Leyland.
The Steve Olney awards were launched in memory of their namesake, a Contechs founding director, who died suddenly in 2005. Each year the firm presents awards to the students who best demonstrate the personal values held by Steve – namely design innovation, technology, craftsmanship and helping to enhance the lives of others around them.
The students were judged on their final project which includes a new vehicle concept and design, with a scale model and story board display. The standard was extremely high reflecting the university’s deserved reputation as a global force in automotive design.
Judging took place in two phases and from an extensive shortlist four prizes were presented – again a first – with each category focusing on a particular area of excellence.
The winners listed below presented a mix of unique concepts ranging from luxury cruise ships to a sci fi concept.
Best Concept: Jaehoon Ahn for a super yacht design entitled New Wave
Best Model: Max Resnick – Imaru – A beautiful model of a car using different textures
Best Presentation: Elliott Brett – Lucid Skies – an exhilarating presentation in which he used his design skills to present a sci fi concept.
And the overall winner was Thomas Smith for his project Harmony – a luxury cruising concept which wowed the judges on all levels.
Each winner received a commemorative trophy.
Contechs also presented £500 to their chosen charity – Zoe’s Place, which provides palliative, respite and end-of-life care to babies and infants aged from birth to five years old suffering from life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.
Peter Jarvis, Managing Director at Contechs, said: “As design engineering specialists, we are both delighted and proud to have the opportunity of hosting this exciting Aerodynamics in Automotive Design initiative. It is also extremely fitting that the Steve Olney Awards should feature in such a prestigious event as we celebrate our 20th year.
“The new graduates were judged on the overall body of work produced in their final year at university, taking into account the application of technology, craftsmanship, innovation and engineering in design.
“Each year we have seen the quality of entries get better and better, but this year surpassed all – the standard was exceptional which was why we took the decision to provide four individual awards to recognise such a high standard of work.”
Established in 1997, Contechs specialises in design and engineering, trim-manufacture, materials handling and specialist recruitment. The company has sites in Warwick, Basildon, Cologne with a workforce of over 1000 and an annual turnover of £67m.
