Enterprising industrial and interaction design students in Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts will be given the opportunity to win the newly established Philip H. Stevens Award.

The award, named in honor of SU alumnus Philip Stevens, will be given to winners of VPA’s 360 Competition, said Donald Carr, associate professor of industrial and interaction design and one of the competition’s collaborators, in an email. Stevens oversaw the competition’s predecessor, the Junior Prize, for 15 years before its rebranding. Stevens and his wife Margueritte have also donated $100,000 to the industrial and interaction design program, according to a June 10 SU News release.

Students entered into this year’s competition will seek to improve the workflow in homes for the disabled. After conducting field research, compiling a research report, and creating their design over the summer, the competing students will be judged by a panel of professionals when they return to SU in the fall, Carr said.

Winners receive a $1500 prize, though Carr said he hopes to award larger amounts each year. Students in the competition also receive exposure to real-world design professionals, he said.

Said Carr: ‘This is also a great chance to present to industry professionals who have been known to hire our students for summer internships, or even full-time positions.’

dbtruong@syr.edu