A University of Limerick graduate’s award-winning product design has featured at a prestigious international showcase.
UL Product Design and Technology graduate and Cork native, Joel Olympio, who won this year’s prestigious National James Dyson Award for his final year project ‘Oasis’, brought his design to the Prototypes for Humanity showcase, taking place in Dubai during the COP28 Climate Summit.
Joel’s product, Oasis, is a revolutionary wearable device designed to reduce visual disturbances and enhance concentration for individuals with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
The core symptoms of ADHD include difficulties in sustaining attention and regulating impulses, making it challenging to filter out distractions in settings with a high sensory load.
The showcase featured 100 of the top global student innovations that were chosen out of more than 3,000 applications.
Prototypes for Humanity highlights a diverse array of innovations capable of making a significant impact on global challenges. The exhibition serves to raise awareness of environmental and social issues, recognise academic excellence, celebrate solutions, and inspire action for positive change.
The UL graduate has a unique insight, having been diagnosed with ADHD late in life. Realising the challenges he faced in certain environments, Joel undertook extensive research to uncover the common experiences faced by people with ADHD and to ultimately find an innovative solution to this condition.
By selectively dimming the user’s peripheral vision, Oasis effectively reduces distracting visual stimuli in the user's environment.
Speaking about his product being selected for the Prototypes for Humanity exhibition, Joel said: “It’s amazing for Oasis to be recognised at a global level. For its potential impact to be commended like this means a lot and continues to motivate me to get the product to the people who need it.”
Projects featured at Prototypes for Humanity are selected based on their originality in problem-solving, positive impact on people, communities, or the planet, and the application of either high or low-tech and innovative methods.
Commenting about the significance of being showcased at this exhibition, Associate Professor Eoin White, Course Director for UL’s Product Design and Technology programme who accompanied Joel on the trip, said: “This year, Prototypes for Humanity coincided with the COP28 Summit which brings together government, private sector, and civil society representatives dedicated to creating a better future and planet.
“As such, Joel and University of Limerick gained exposure to influential stakeholders who are committed to positive social and environmental change.” Oasis also reached the international stage of the James Dyson Award, a prestigious award which recognises design and innovation, having been selected as the overall winner in the national round of the competition.
Joel is now working in Dolmen Design, a creative design and innovation consultancy based in Dublin, where he interned as part of his Co-op year at UL.