Future Industrial Design Specialisations: A Centre for High Performance Composites

This paper explores the potential to apply practice-led research findings to reforms in design education. Recent research in design for sports highlights the need for optimum use of contemporary materials, and the challenge of building new models of adaptive and resilient design practice is increasingly prominent. These new approaches are based on the use and knowledge of High Performance Composites (HPC), and how these materials may be used in future product design. A wide range of opportunities are possible, including product design for domestic settings, aged care, health services, people with disabilities and sporting markets. Firstly, the paper describes improvements to Skeleton sleds for the Australian team competing in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games. The intense 4 month project consisted of two priority deliverables: Priority 1 was the design and fabrication of 5 pans to fit existing sled frames. Priority 2 involved the design and fabrication of 5 adjustable saddles and handles with a tailored individual insert for each specified athlete. Secondly, the paper outlines the 16 month development of competitive Snowboard Cross bindings for an elite Olympic athlete. The paper outlines how learnings from the Skeleton and Snowboard binding projects are being catalysed as vehicles to create knowledge transfer tools and help build future design and manufacture applications in Australia. This addresses critical issues surrounding the fragmented approach to the design of High Performance Composites (HPC) products in identified markets. It also provides opportunities to better coordinate Industrial Design education, while improving research and fabrication knowledge transfer to undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers