Nominator: Mirko Vujičić

Nominator's statement

I am nominating Ivan as an outstanding young designer whose work reflects a rare ability to navigate the entire product design process—from initial idea, concept development, and sketching, to engineering and the creation of functional prototypes. He approaches design with a genuine passion for the discipline itself, demonstrating both curiosity and dedication in every stage of his work.

In addition to his design practice, he demonstrates strong skills in CGI, animation, and videography, which he uses to communicate and document his process through a dedicated YouTube channel focused on product design . This ability to clearly articulate and present his work further strengthens his overall design approach.

His work shows clarity of thought, technical competence, and a strong sense of authorship. Notably, Ivan has overcome a significant personal challenge—a serious illness—which has further shaped his resilience, focus, and determination. This experience is reflected in his disciplined approach and strong commitment to growth, marking him as a highly motivated and promising emerging designer.

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PIEZO SPEAKER

This project explores sound through an unconventional approach: what an audio product can be when sound is created through vibration rather than a conventional speaker cone. Using piezo exciters, the object turns its own body into a resonating surface, allowing material, structure, and form to become part of the sound experience.

The project started as an experiment in questioning the familiar image of a speaker. Instead of hiding technology inside a standard box, and relying on the speaker's technical sheet only, the design exposes the idea that sound can come from any object vibrating. Through research, 3D modelling, prototyping, and acoustic testing, different forms and surfaces were explored to understand how shape and material influence the final result.

The goal was to create a product that is functional, but also unexpected and memorable. It is not only a speaker, but an object that invites curiosity, showing how design can turn a technical principle into something with character, emotion, and presence.

NOTCH MULTIFUNCTIONAL SURVIVAL TOOL

NOTCH is a compact multifunctional survival tool that combines a hatchet, saw, and shovel into one object. Designed for hikers, campers, fishermen, mountain climbers, and people who spend time in nature, the project focuses on creating a practical tool that is easy to carry, efficient to use, and visually distinctive.

The main body is built around a metal core, with protective and functional plastic components attached to it. The blade shrouding works both as protection and as a mounting point for the saw, while the shovel attaches through a reversible male/female connection. When not in use, the shovel can be turned around and stored on the body, allowing the axe and saw to remain fully functional while keeping the whole package compact.

The goal of NOTCH is not only to combine three tools, but to create one coherent object where function, safety, storage, and identity work together.