Now in its fourth year, the T3 Design Awards celebrate the beauty of lifestyle technology. While form following function is a practical approach, at T3, we want our products to look and feel a bit special.
Buying a great product should bring you joy, and if you’ve invested your money in something new, you want to be able to show it off. The winners of our Design Awards are visual feasts in their fields that really impressed our judges.
This year, to provide the authority these Design Awards deserve, we assembled a panel of experts from across some of the best publications on the market. These editors really know their stuff and so were perfectly placed to help T3 pick the winners.
The judging panel includes: Marc Chacksfield, Content Director, T3, Shortlist and Tech Magazines; Georgia Coggan, Editor, Creative Bloq; Jennifer Ebert, Editor, Homes and Gardens; Mat Gallagher, Editor-in-Chief, T3.com; Gerald Lynch, Editor-in-Chief, Shortlist; Nick Odantzis, Editor, T3 Magazine; Bill Price, Editor-in-Chief, Wallpaper*.
Design Award, Active
Vollebak Full Metal Jacket Gold Edition
Waterproof jackets need to be functional but that’s not to say they can’t also be a little extravagant. Vollebak’s Full Metal Jacket is highly waterproof, windproof and breathable, plus it’s made of ultrathin copper – 11km of copper to be precise.
The beauty of copper is that it’s biostatic, so bacteria and viruses can’t grow on it, making it both disease and mould-resistant. The jacket comes in four colours but it’s the gold edition that really stands out and gives that Interstellar vibe.
Marc Chacksfield commented: “The Gold Edition looks like the fashion of the future in the very best way. Perhaps the ultimate in wet-weather festival gear.”
Design Award, Auto
Jaguar Type 00
Completely reinventing an entire brand is a bold move, especially when your brand is an iconic British sports car manufacturer. Jaguar is looking to the future with its vision and ripping up the rule books in the process.
By following the ethos of what made its cars so special in the 50s and 60s, it has reinterpreted its design, colours and even the famous leaper logo. The prototype to represent this vision is the Type 00 and has divided fans. However, this long-nosed, two-seater all-electric coupe is unlike anything else on the market and breathtaking in both the Rhodon Rose satin pink and the silvery blue finishes.
Bill Prince commented: “Measured in media exposure alone, this remains he most significant car launch of the year, testament to Chief Creative Officer, Gerry McGovern's determination that the next generation of Jaguars be 'a copy of nothing'. Mission accomplished.”
Design Award, Home
Smeg Soda Maker
The soda maker market has been dominated for many years by one brand, but as we seem to be in a bit of a carbonated revival, one new model is making more than a fizz. Smeg is known for its clean and simple designs, which make its products so appealing.
Its attempt at a soda maker, then, was almost unsurprisingly cool. Available in four colours, the simple, portable design can make up to 60 litres of sparkling water from a single canister. It allows you to dial the fizz up and down to just how you like it; otherwise, it’s just press and go. This is the kind of kitchen gadget you’re going to want to show off on your countertop.
Jennifer Ebert commented: “The design is so elegant with its matte finish and signature retro curves, and it feels just as premium as it looks – the ultimate statement piece for summer entertaining.”
Design Award, Technology
Ray-Ban Meta glasses
The Ray-Ban Meta glasses achieved a major turning point in wearable tech. These are the first smart glasses that people will actually wear simply for fashion. The glasses look absolutely fantastic, especially the newer Headliner shape and come in a wide range of frame and lens colours to suit your style.
Of course, the smart functions are equally impressive. In addition to taking pictures and video, answering calls and playing music, the built-in voice assistant can now describe anything you’re seeing and even offer live translation. Smart and stylish, it really is a win for technology design.
Mat Gallagher commented: “I like these glasses so much, they’ve replaced by regular sunglasses. Having the ability to take pics and get info through them is certainly a bonus, especially in areas you’d rather keep your phone in your pocket.”
