LONDON — If you've ever dreamed of drafting up your ideal sex toy, Lovehoney's Design a Sex Toy competition offers participants the chance to bring that fantasy to fruition — and win $5,000 while they're at it.
According to its website, this latest iteration of the contest is calling for designs with a "sci-fi twist" that will ideally "shape the future of sex." Winners will also be eligible to earn royalties on their designs, making the winning epic alien-creature-inspired pleasure product idea exponentially more lucrative.
Trevor Murphy, the competition's 2009 winner, has amassed over $600,000 AUD in royalties from his Sqweel oral sex device, the studio notes.
In an article by Jack Gramenz, Murphy describes winning the competition as "life-changing."
“I made so much money that I was able to emigrate and start a new career in television,” he shared. “I am so happy that I have brought so much sexual happiness to so many people."
Murphy's design has been implemented in various Lovehoney products and continues to be improved upon, with revamped Sqweels now in release.
“If we get a design which brings something completely new to the market, there is no reason why the designer cannot enjoy the same kind of payday as previous winners,” Lovehoney product director and judge, Bonny Hall, told news.com.au.
Lovehoney is accepting submissions in three categories through February 2020. Participants can submit to either the Professional Designers category, for folks who make a living from designing in any medium; the Student category, for full- and part-time students 18 years and older; and the Public category.
One winner will be selected per category. Participants are encouraged to submit designs for "whatever tickles their fancy," Lovehoney's site playfully teases, including but not limited to toys for penises, prostates, vulvas, solo play and couples play.
Entries will be decided upon by Lovehoney's design team in partnership with the host of the "Future Of Sex" podcast, and a leader in the sextech field, Bryony Cole.
Submit sex toy designs here.
