Kiwi Designer Impress-es at the Global Electrolux Design Lab Competition
New Zealand born Ben de la Roche of Massey University has been awarded second place of €3000, at the annual Global Electrolux Design Lab competition in Milan on the 25th of October 2012. Ben’s “Impress” refrigerator submission promises to change the way we refrigerate perishables and offers a sustainable and unique solution to food usage and storage.
Put simply, the design concept is a refrigerated wall that allows the user to press storage containers and bottles directly into the wall, out in the open and not behind closed doors so you will always remember the lunch you prepared for work or find that midnight snack with ease. Impress uses thermo-acoustic technology and gases such as argon and helium that are non-ozone depleting and harmless to the environment.
The Electrolux Design Lab 2012 Jury, consisting of Design Director at Electrolux Thomas Johansson, award winning chef Davide Oldani, distinguished designer Dante Donegani and popular design blogger Kelly Beall, selected the winners from ten global finalists.
The jury’s motivation for awarding Ben second place was, “Impress is a visual experience that is energy saving and simplifies the user’s life.”
The winning concept, the Aeroball by Jan Ankiersztajn of Poland, is a collection of luminescent, hovering balls that can filter and fragrance the air in a room. They float using helium and drift down to the ground when they are ready to be changed.
The jury was impressed with how the student’s creative and insightful thinking reflected this year’s theme, Design Experience, and how successfully the concept met the challenge of creating a holistic sensorial experience. “We rely on our senses for almost everything, so considering the senses is an important factor when designing appliances,” says Thomas Johansson, head of the jury.
“This year’s winning concept is a truly innovative concept that uses space in a unique way and delights our surroundings. It also changes our perception of an air cleaner, because it is delicate in aesthetics, it is emotional and also relevant, because it addresses the consumer’s needs.”
Electrolux Design Lab is an annual global design competition open to undergraduate and graduate design students world-wide. Established in 2003, the competition is encouraging and facilitating young designers in the pursuit of innovative home appliance design.
“Creating new value and propositions is what innovative design is all about. Electrolux is committed to innovation in design, research and development and Electrolux Design Lab is one way of exploring new arising ideas. In addition the competition is a chance for us to meet the design talent of tomorrow”, said Stefano Marzano, Chief Design Officer at Electrolux.
Electrolux Design Lab 2012 challenged design students to draw inspiration from professional experience creators such as chefs, architects, interior designers and hotel designers to design future home appliances that will provide a fuller sensory experience.
The brief for 2012 was looking for concepts that best reflect Electrolux proud heritage of Scandinavian Design whilst working to create new home appliances that stimulate, engage and enlighten all of our senses. The jury considered entries based on intuitive design, innovation and consumer insight.
One of the purposes of the competition is to function as an innovative arena for the introduction of new talents and products to the market. First prize is EUR 5,000 and a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design center. Second prize is EUR 3,000 and third prize of EUR 2,000.
For further information please visit our website www.electroluxdesignlab.com