What you need to submit
Keep it focused.
Your complete entry should be submitted digitally as a single PDF containing up to four presentation boards.
Your first page should include five simple points explaining why your design answers the brief.
Across all pages, give the judges what they need to understand:
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The problem you have chosen to address
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Your design response
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How the product works
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What plastics bring to the idea
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How you have considered manufacture and sustainability
The competition stages
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE
Check the current brief for the live submission deadline.
PRELIMINARY JUDGING
Six finalists are selected.
PLASTICS TRAINING
Specialist injection moulding training at FANUC UK, alongside intellectual property guidance and further development of your idea.
FINAL JUDGING
Present your developed design to the DIP judging panel.
AWARDS
The winners are announced at the award ceremony.
Show your idea at its best
Strong images can make an idea much easier to understand.
Use clear, high-quality visuals that help the judges quickly see what your product is, how it works and why it matters.
Include at least one image that can stand on its own.
Selected images may also be used to showcase your work on the DIP website and in promotion of the Awards.
Think of it as your first pitch
At this stage, you won’t be there to explain the idea.
Your four pages have to speak for you.
Keep your entry anonymous
Include the product name of your entry only on the first page.
Do not include your own name or university anywhere within the presentation.
The judges will look for five things:
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Does it answer the brief?
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Is there something original in the thinking?
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Could it be made?
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Have you thought about sustainability?
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Can you explain it clearly?
How your entry will be judged
What happens if you make the final six?
That’s when the next stage begins.
Finalists then take part in specialist injection moulding training delivered by Sierra 57 Consult at FANUC UK, alongside intellectual property guidance and further development of your idea.
The purpose is practical: to give you knowledge, challenge your thinking and help you improve the design before final judging.
At preliminary judging, your pages speak for you.
At final judging, you do.
The six finalists present their developed designs directly to the DIP judging panel, show their prototypes, explain their thinking, answer questions and show how the idea has moved forward since the original submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be studying at university to enter?
Yes. DIP is open to undergraduate students studying at universities in the UK and Ireland. If you are unsure whether your course or student status qualifies, ask DIP.
Can I make more than one entry?
Yes. You can submit more than one entry, provided each entry meets the competition requirements.
Can I enter as part of a team?
No. DIP entries must be submitted by individual students.
Can I enter a project I am developing as part of my university course?
Yes. DIP briefs can be incorporated into university project work, so your entry can grow out of work you are already developing as part of your course.
Does my product have to be made entirely from plastics?
No. What matters is that plastics play an active and appropriate role in the way your product works. Think about what their properties make possible, rather than simply using plastic because you can.
Do I need a working prototype to enter?
You do not need to submit a physical prototype at the preliminary stage. Your four-page entry needs to communicate the idea clearly enough for the judges to understand how it works and how it could be made. If you become a finalist, you will have the opportunity to develop the design further before final judging.
Can I change my design if I make the final six?
Yes. Finalists are expected to develop their design before final judging. Feedback from the preliminary judging and the specialist training programme should inform the decisions you make as you refine and strengthen your idea.
How do I protect my design?
If you think your idea could need formal protection, consider this before it is made public. DIP keeps initial submissions confidential, and intellectual property is also covered as part of the finalist training.
How should I name my file?
Submit your entry as one PDF containing no more than four A3 pages at 120 dpi.
Use: DIP_University_Surname.
For example: DIP_TDUB_Taylor.
"I have gained a lot of knowledge about plastics and injection moulding manufacturing process. I’ve also practiced my pitching and communication skills, which greatly improved my work.
This competition boosted my willingness to advance in the product design industry and make projects that are meaningful for society. After DiP I gained confidence in my future and I know I want to make a change in the industry."
Krzysztof Boroniec