Designers are increasingly responding to global issues such as the refugee crisis and environmental degradation, and showing less interest in frivolous topics, according to the curator of the Design Museum's annual awards programme.
Gemma Curtin, curator of Beazley Designs of the Year, said that shortlisted projects this year displayed greater engagement with world problems than previous years.
"There is a seriousness in the nominations this year," she said. "Perhaps there's less exuberance, less fun, less innovation for innovation's sake."
"Instead, designers are looking to create cleaner water, purer air, less pollution, less waste. All of these issues seem to be key."

Dezeen is media partner for Beazley Designs of the Year, an annual programme celebrating design that "promotes or delivers change, enables access, extends design practice or captures the spirit of the year". Design experts nominate projects for a range of categories, including architecture, furniture, product, digital and fashion.
Curtin whittled over 200 nominations down to 70, which are on show at an exhibition at the museum.
A judging panel then selects a winner for each category and an overall winner, which will be announced at a ceremony at the London museum tonight.

The curator said the shortlist marked a shift away from large, statement projects to smaller, community-driven initiatives.
"As well as perhaps being fewer of the bigger showcase projects, t...