University of Canberra industrial design student Renee Osterloh has developed a new rotational moulding process to create hollow plastic parts, such as water tanks and, in her case, pieces of furniture.

The stool, named after Ms Osterloh's initials, is the pattern for her mould.

Ms Osterloh said the manufacturing process used a mould made out of composite materials rather than the traditional metals or ceramics.

The cheaper materials resulted in a cheaper process, which allowed for production of fewer pieces.

''So it can be for designers to produce a few pieces instead of having to produce thousands,'' Ms Osterloh said.

The stool will be on display as part of the University of Canberra industrial design graduate exhibition, Flux, to be launched tonight.

The exhibition is a culmination of a year's work from the fourth-year students. Designs on show include a wheelbarrow for developing countries that animals, people and bicycles can haul, and a face mask to protect cyclists and pedestrians from pollution.

Industrial design senior lecturer Stephen Trathen said they encouraged the students to identify a problem and design a solution to fix it.

There was a trend for students to tackle environmental problems, including climate change.

''They're trying to identify something that's worthy and needed,'' he said.

The public launch will take place at 7.30pm at the University of Canberra, in the design gallery, building 7, level A, Pantowara Street, Bruce.

The exhibition will be open free to the public from Saturday until Monday, from 9am until 5pm.

It will open in Sydney and Melbourne later next month.

Flux is the beginning of an exhibition series within the faculty of design and creative practice at the University of Canberra. Landscape architecture, architecture and graphic design exhibitions will follow.