Australia’s best known supporter of innovation and invention, James O’Loghlin, will put University of Newcastle industrial design students under the spotlight this week.

The comedian and presenter of the ABC’s New Inventors program will open the exhibition of 11 graduating students who are exhibiting some of their problem-solving designs at the Materialise at Watt Space exhibition.

“We are very excited to welcome James O’Loghlin to the University and for him to see the innovative work of our industrial design students,” lecturer Wyn Jones said.

“Industrial designers play an important role in the development of most modern products and we hope James’s visit will raise interest in this specialised area of design.”

The exhibition offers final year students the opportunity to showcase their talents.

“One of our students has created a new hair tool that can straighten, curl and blow-dry at the same time, which eliminates the need to have three different devices. Another student has designed a new type of cheese grater that is not only more efficient and safer to use, but looks good as well.”

The graduates have completed a unique hybrid program, combining three years of study at TAFE NSW before completing their final year of study at the University of Newcastle.

The Materialise at Watt Space exhibition opens on 15 December and continues until 19 December at Watt Space Gallery in Newcastle.

James O’Loghlin will attend the final night of the exhibition, on Friday 17 December at 6.30pm.

Photo opportunities: To organise vision and photos of industrial design students and their designs contact Leonie Brann, University of Newcastle Media and Public Relations officer on 4921 6856 or 0448 898 813.