Product Design
Dora Čičin-Šain
973 m

Project
The awards for the “973 m” cycling league were designed to introduce design into small local communities, where it remains underrepresented despite considerable potential for development. They are inspired by Promina, the mountain that dominates the landscape of Drniš and where both the league and its final uphill race conclude. The winner can receive the award only after reaching the summit, making its collection the final act of the competition and a lasting reminder of the effort, experience and place in which the league culminates.
The awards deliberately reveal traces of their production through contrasting textures, emphasising that the value of an object lies not only in its final form but also in the way it is made. Each piece is produced entirely within a small local workshop, without factory-made components, supporting the preservation of local manufacturing.
The production process combines contemporary 3D printing with traditional casting. A model of the mountain was first 3D printed and then used to create a silicone mould from which the entire series was cast. The black elements depicting the mountain silhouette were also 3D printed, while the yellow lettering, reflecting the colours of the organising cycling club, was cut from vinyl film. The reverse lists all races held as part of the league.
They are crafted using a combination of contemporary 3D printing and traditional casting techniques. The first prototype of the mountain was 3D printed, after which a silicone mould was made from it, from which the entire series of awards was produced. The black elements, which also depict the mountain's silhouette, are 3D printed, while the yellow text, inspired by the colours of the organising club, is made by cutting vinyl film. On the reverse side, there is a list of all the races held, so that the winner has a lasting memento of the entire league and their acquired experiences.
Year
2026
Client
Biciklistički klub Petar Svačić
Author
Dora Čičin-Šain holds a master’s degree in Industrial Design from the School of Design, University of Zagreb. Her professional practice focuses on the independent development of products, encompassing the entire process from research, design and prototyping to final production.
Her design approach is grounded in extensive experience with traditional handcrafting techniques, a thorough understanding of material properties and the continuous exploration of new materials and production methods.
She draws inspiration from the natural environment and is also an active mountain biker.




