Student Designed Workstations, Made by Maxton Fox
In a post pandemic world, emerging designers of Western Sydney bring us new workstations, that could level-up the workplace!
Western Sydney University’s School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment proudly partnered with Maxton Fox for a second year running, for ‘The Emerging Designer Competition.’ A competition that could literally launch a career.
The 2022 competition challenge was developed out of the Covid-19 Pandemic and its impact on the way we work and study. Students were challenged to design a workstation that would suit inclusivity in the workplace and cater to hybrid modes of working.
The shortlisted designs were presented at a unique showcase event late 2022, amongst a panel of industry judges.
The innovative workstation designs: The Grevillea by Genevieve Bryant and The Stipule by Heimy Molina – were selected.
The Maxton Fox team developed, engineered and has since manufactured the designs.
And, here they are!
THE STIPULE, by Heimy Molina
The Stipule is an organically designed fixed dual-desk screen workstation system, that blends connection and privacy in semi-public spaces. Distinguished by its upholstered wall divider, the Stipule provides acoustic absorption when sitting at the desk, and allows for open communication when standing.
The Stipule shape and inspiration comes from nature and the shape of leaves. Heimy spent much time outdoors walking during the Pandemic and this became her source of inspiration for this project, wanting to bring the shape of nature and function into the changing workplace.
View product information here
THE GREVILLEA, by Genevieve Bryant
The Grevillea aims to bridge the gap in the workstation market for blind and low vision users. Having gained a passion for Brail at a young age, Genevieve was inspired to design a workstation that is aesthetically pleasing for a modern workplace, whilst simultaneously supporting a blind or low vision employee by minimising obstacles, providing subtle aids and a neat dog tethering solution.
Jodi Martin, Senior Manager Innovation and Inclusion
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT says:
“It’s great to see continued innovation to support access and inclusion in our physical world. Digital has opened the world up for a lot of our Clients, but that shouldn’t be at the expense of physical inclusion. As a society we’re enjoying the flex between attending things digitally or in person, and that must include the blind and low vision community too.
We’re particularly impressed by the focus on colour contrast as modern design aesthetics often focus on neutrals, which can present challenges for many of our Clients. While many people think of blindness as no vision at all, that only applies to about 18% of the global blind and low vision population. The remainder have some remaining vision, and may be able to see some lights, colours, or shapes, so you can imagine that the greater contrast there is in the world around you the easier it would be to navigate independently. The accommodation for Guide Dog tethering and the use of tactile elements is also impressive, it shows that the designer has put themselves in the shoes of their audience and thought about what they might need and enjoy.”
View product information here
Dennis Hall, Founding Director and Owner of Maxton Fox says:
“As a family-run Australian manufacturing business based in Western Sydney that has been manufacturing furniture and joinery for over 50 years, we’re pleased to partner with Western Sydney University, to support the next generation of emerging designers.”
Karen Yévenes, Lecturer and Academic Course Advisor in Industrial Design, said the program at Western Sydney University is committed to providing students with rich opportunities in work-integrated-learning.
“Our partnership with Maxton Fox has been a very rewarding experience for our talented young designers; students have applied their understanding of product semantics, sustainable materials, and lean manufacturing processes to create unique and functional products, as delineated by the client brief. We’re proud of the students’ achievements and in the collaboration with vibrant local industries such as Maxton Fox.”
We are so pleased to bring you another set of student designed products. We’re already planning our next competition challenge!
Get in touch today for further information.
