RMIT University, Building 80, Room 07.005 · ICNASA 2025, Melbourne
Finalists, judges and organisers at the ANMFC 2025 grand final.
About the challenge
The Sustainable Product Design Challenge connected students with digital design and advanced manufacturing. Teams chose an everyday product or problem, looked for waste or unnecessary resource use, and developed a more sustainable alternative.
Across the 2025 ANMFC programme, more than 50 students took part in workshops. Five finalists presented their work at the ICNASA 2025 gala in Melbourne, where the judging panel considered creativity, problem-solving and manufacturing knowledge.
How the challenge worked
1Identify an everyday object or situation that creates waste or consumes resources.
2Redesign it with a more sustainable approach.
3Model the idea with CAD tools such as Fusion 360 or Tinkercad.
4Prepare a product brief and demonstrate the design.
What students learned
Design thinking and sustainability principles
CAD and 3D modelling
Additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping
Presentation and pitching skills
Industry collaboration and real-world innovation
Judges
Distinguished Professor
Chennupati Jagadish
President, Australian Academy of Science
Distinguished Professor
Baohua Jia
Director, Centre for Atomaterials and Nanomanufacturing, RMIT
Dr
Sarah McSwiney
Head of Engineering, Jetstar Airways
Workshop venues
CRU+ Coffee Roastery
Hawthorn
A community learning space that brought digital manufacturing into an approachable local setting.
SOAZ 22
Melbourne CBD
A central workshop location designed for student participation and exchange.
Scan&Print3D
Springvale
A professional workshop with 3D scanning and printing equipment.
Finalist project areas
Sustainable products
Robotics
Home devices
STEM tools
Drones
Design prototypes
Judging criteria
Creativity
Problem-solving
Manufacturing knowledge
Awards
Best Green Innovation
Best Engineering Design
Business Potential Award
Programme partners
CAN Centre, RMIT University
Academic guidance, research support and access to advanced nanomanufacturing knowledge.
ARC E2Crop Hub
Materials-science expertise and support for sustainable-material applications.
Melbourne City Council
Venue support, community engagement and urban innovation connections.
ATSE
Expert reviewers and support for STEM engagement.
Event photos
Students presented their projects to an on-site judging panel at the ICNASA gala.
Event promotion
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About these sources
Event facts and documentary images come from the official ANMFC 2025 programme summary and challenge brochure supplied by the organisers. Judge portraits use identity-confirmed professional sources, including Sarah McSwiney's official Aviation/Aerospace Australia profile.
