The UK Home Office project with which we were involved last year has been progressed to prototype stage. Aimed at reducing incidences of 'glassing' attacks in pubs and clubs (at least 5000 reported incidences a year with often horrific consequences), the project is a Designing out Crime initiative for the Design and Technology Alliance. Neil Barron from Gusto worked with Innovation RCA at the Royal College of Art and a number of other parties including The Materials KTN through a series of workshops and brainstorms to generate ways forward.
The project was underpinned by two main questions: 'What if we could create a new type of safe drinking vessel for pubs, bars and clubs, especially those where preventing accidental or violent injury is a significant concern?' and...
'What if they were as safe as plastic or paper, operationally and commercially viable, yet gave consumers a social drinking experience equal to or better than conventional glass?'
The first phase of the project resulted in a series of design briefs which were then delivered to tender. Design Bridge won the job and developed two prototypes which were launched yesterday at the Design Council with the presence of all parties and the Home Secretary, Alan Johnson MP. The aim is to take one or both of the ideas into production. They are well explained in the film (to follow). We sincerely hope this leads to a safer drinking experience in pubs, bars and clubs.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8495617.stm
