A Derry firm has scooped an award at a US fashion show for pets, with its unique dog bowl design that has become the 'must have' accessory for dog owners around the world.
Designers at the Magee campus of the University of Ulster teamed up with HugX to win the top award at New York’s Pet Fashion Week.
Product design lecturers Justin Magee and Stephen McGilloway created a highly innovative and eye-catching pet food b
owl from an idea by Jane Grant, head of HugX, a Derry pet firm.
The HugX bowl beat off stiff international competition from top designers including Italian design house, Alessi, to win the coveted ‘Lifestyle Innovation Award’ in the pet dinnerware category at the recent New York show.
The innovative design keeps the bowl steady and prevents it toppling over and the bowl is also non-slip.
Ms Grant approached the two product design specialists, who are based in Magee after watching her red setter repeatedly chase its bowl across the floor.
“I had some ideas that I thought would work but needed help to make them a reality,” she said.
The lecturers, who are known as Bigsmall Design, developed a range of concepts, culminating in the prize-winning effective and attractive product.
Mr Magee said: “Our work with HugX is a good example of how staff at the university can use their expertise to work in partnership with local companies to help them bring their ideas to fruition.”
