Dear students, alumni, colleagues, and partners of CDE,

At the launch of our Department of Design last month, I shared my belief that design does more than solve problems. At its best, it creates solutions that are meaningful, thoughtful and centred on the people and the world around us.

Our students and alumni demonstrated this at the James Dyson Award 2026, sweeping the Singapore National Winner title as well as both National Runner-up spots. I am especially pleased that the teams represent students from across the College, reflecting the breadth of perspectives and disciplines that contribute to design at CDE.

Nicolette Wong (Industrial Design, ’26) was named National Winner for mömigo, a reusable system that brings breastmilk storage, warming and feeding together in a single container. For Nicolette, the recognition affirmed the importance of paying attention to experiences that can easily be overlooked. As she puts it, “mömigo grew from listening closely to mothers and understanding the small, everyday challenges they face.”

Both National Runner-up projects were supported through our Engineering Design and Innovation Centre programmes. EmotiMate aims to help deaf and hard-of-hearing people communicate emotion, tone and intent more effectively, while JellyBot was developed to offer a quieter, less invasive way of observing coral reefs.

These projects address very different needs, but they share something fundamental: they begin with careful observation and an understanding of the people, communities and environments for whom we design. They also show what becomes possible when our students bring together perspectives from across disciplines and translate ideas into practical solutions.

My congratulations to Nicolette and to the EmotiMate and JellyBot teams. Their work is a reminder that good design begins not simply with asking what we can create, but with understanding why it matters and whom it can serve.

Professor Teo Kie Leong
Dean
College of Design and Engineering (CDE)