Prize-winning student tackles the big issues
Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:30:00 BST
Ziaul Haque wins RSA Student Design Award for his animation with a social message
UNIVERSITY of Huddersfield student Ziaul Haque used innovative animation techniques to show how good design can tackle global issues such as slavery and child labour. The project has earned him an award in a major national competition.
Ziaul, aged 25, is a final-year Graphic Design and Animation student at the University and he has been announced as winner of Patricia Tindale Legacy Award in the RSA Student Design Awards 2014/15. 
His animation named Design and Society: more than meets the eye came out top in the Moving Pictures category.
Tackling social issues
The RSA Awards appealed to Oldham-born Ziaul’s interest in social issues, which he aims to make his speciality.
“I had a choice of two briefs: curiosity or design and society and I chose the latter,” he explained. “The concept of my animation is that design is about more than just looking good, it can also tackle social issues. I chose to address slavery and child labour in third world countries.”
The judging panel had over 70 animations to choose from and Ziaul’s was one of eight to reach the shortlist. He describes his winning entry as his “against the odds” award. He rose to the challenge of meeting deadlines and facing a panel of seven at the RSA interview.
“I was really surprised to receive the email from the RSA congratulating me on winning this award and I’m looking forward to the award ceremony where I’ll also have the opportunity to network with other people in the design industry,” said Ziaul.
He will receive his award at an event at the RSA in London on 11 June and his work is currently on display in an online showcase: RSA Student Design Awards.
Anneke Pettican, who is Course Leader for Graphic Design and Animation at the University of Huddersfield, said: “When Ziaul showed me his animated short I felt confident that it had every chance of winning the judges’ attention. He is a very talented individual with a bright future ahead of him. I am delighted by his success in such a prestigious competition.”
RSA Student Design Awards
The RSA Student Design Awards (SDAs) is an annual competition open to all students studying worldwide and the awards are 91-years-old this year. Since 1924 the awards have challenged emerging artists and designers to use design thinking, craft and ingenuity to drive innovation.
Today the awards task emerging designers with real briefs to create solutions for the social, environmental and economic issues that are at the top of the news and social agenda. These include issues such as global sanitation, the impact of the banking crisis and water scarcity.
Worth over £30,000 in prize monies that comprise cash awards and work placements, the RSA Student Design Awards provide financial and practical assistance to student designers starting out in their careers. The winning entries receive a year’s RSA Fellowship, which provides the students with access to the RSA’s Catalyst Fund, Skills Bank and crowdfunding page on Kickstarter to further develop their projects. Ziaul will receive a £500 cash prize for his winning entry.
Past winners of these awards include Sir Jonathan Ive, Apple; Richard Clarke, Global Design Vice President Design at Nike; Paul Priestman founder of Priestmangoode and Tom Tobia, founder of Makerversity.
