TEXTILES.ORG
Applications are now being accepted for the Advanced Textile Products Student Design Challenge for 2020. This is an annual contest sponsored by Advanced Textiles Products, a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). The competition was established to encourage college and university students of design, textiles engineering, and allied curricula to solve safety and protection problems using technical textiles and narrow fabrics in functional designs.
Students will create an original design and prototype for a safety product which will protect bodies or property from hazardous conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to, extreme hot or cold temperature; impact; chemical or biological exposure; poor visibility; fall protection. Designs for aerospace, medical, military, safety/protective or other wearable and non-wearable textile technology applications are examples of projects that are permitted.
Projects whose primary purpose is general wearing comfort or protection from environmental conditions will not be accepted. Projects must incorporate a textile component as a major part of the product.
Entrants must be enrolled in post-secondary textiles, apparel, engineering, or design programs in colleges or universities. Team entries are permitted. Mentoring by IFAI member companies may be available upon request.
The winning individual or team of the 2020 Student Design Competition will receive:
- $1,500 cash prize
- A trip to IFAI Expo 2020 in Indianapolis, IN, USA Nov. 4–6, 2020 (valued at $4,600!)
- Recognition on Specialty Fabrics Review’s official website
- An opportunity to present their winning project live on the show floor at IFAI Expo 2020
For more information on this year’s challenge and the application, visit www.ifai.com/student-design-challenge/ or contact Martha Baker at +1 651 225 6932 or msbaker@ifai.com.)