The 24-year-old Massey graduate was named New Zealand’s top emerging product designer in the annual Dyson Product Design Awards.

Then he was offered employment at their Malmesbury UK Research and Development Centre by billionaire entrepreneur James Dyson.

Smith’s win was for his Arctic Skin cooling vest for athletes, made to regulate body temperature and prompted by walker Craig Barrett’s collapse during the 1998 Olympics.

"At the time I had no idea what doors it would open and fantastic opportunities it would bring," he says.

Head judge and owner of 4ormfunction design consultancy David Lovegrove says Smith stood out as creative and thorough in his design process.

"He was the clear winner, he had a good insight into human needs and was great at problem solving."

Smith’s projects are shrouded in secrecy, his office secured with finger printed access.

Although he cannot divulge what he is working on, he can say that he has free rein to experiment with his design.

Dyson developed the first bagless vacuum cleaner and in the
pipeline is a machine which eradicates dust mites.

The office even has a dust mite laboratory.

James Dyson says his mantra is "anything is possible" which is why he gives his employees so much freedom.

Smith is part of a team of 12 who call themselves Blue Sky.

Ideas are thrown around and developed, and they don’t have to worry about feasibility.

"They encourage young engineers to go beyond theory and take a more hands-on approach to product development, and challenge young designers to stretch the boundaries and be truly creative and innovative," says Mr Smith.

He says the experience so far has been fantastic and he’s enjoying being in an environment where innovation is truly embraced.