Be PROACTIVE rather than REACTIVE! Detect and Destroy spyware. Start Now!

2005-11-16 News Headlines

Web jobwerx.com jobwerx.tradepub.com

Search Jobwerx The Engineering Web

Electrolux Design Lab 2005 Award goes to Students from Singapore

The Electrolux third Design Lab Award was recently presented to Airwash, a waterless washing appliance solutions unit.

Students from leading schools of design in over 88 countries participated in the competition. Entries were received by more than 3,000 students in all continents, all competing to create the most outstanding new appliance concept for the home of 2020.

The winner, Airwash, is a waterless washing unit that utilizes negative ions, compressed air and deodorants to clean clothes. Its form is inspired by the waterfall, nature's negative ion generator. Airwash eliminates the need for detergent and water. By using atmospheric air and negative ions - a natural cleansing agent - it fights dirt and bacteria with nature's own weapon. It is designed to be placed anywhere in the home, not only in the laundry area. The simple user interface "floats" to wherever on the appliance the user wants.

Airwash. Click on photo for larger image.

The jury selected Airwash as the winner because of its intuitive, ecological and beautiful design. Airwash also does away with the expensive, time consuming task of going to the dry cleaner. Airwash is a waterless washing machine for the home of 2020. Eliminating the use of detergent and precious water resources, it cleans clothes with pressurized air and negative ions - nature's cleansing agent. Its form is inspired by the waterfall, nature's negative ion generator. Its touch-light interface marries function with emotion, humanizing the often-mechanical experience when handling household appliances. Liberated from the laundry area, Airwash is a symbol of wellness and sophistication, designed for living spaces and focal points in the home.

The Electrolux Design Lab 2005 project kicked off in June, when students were challenged via designboom to develop new appliance solutions for the future based on satisfying evolving consumer needs and trends. The concepts targeted specific research-identified consumer segments such as "those seeking extra time and ease of use" and "those seeking appliances that reflect their lifestyle with extraordinary design and features." The students used observational research techniques for input and inspiration.

Participating students from design institutions in over 88 countries, including Australia, Colombia, Canada, India, Japan, South Africa, Sweden, the US and Portugal were judged on the following criteria:

· Does the concept appliance solve the consumer's needs as identified by the research?
· Does the concept appliance create a "wow" effect, as well as appeal emotionally and intuitively?
· Does the concept appliance correspond to the Electrolux brand identity - innovative, trusted solutions for an easier and more enjoyable life?
· Is technology, including that from other product areas, creatively applied?

A jury of international design professionals gathered in Stockholm to judge the individual design presentations and select the most outstanding concepts.

The jury included:

· Paula Antonelli, curator at the Department of Architecture and Design at The Museum of Modern Art in New York
· Johnny Grey, architect and one of the most unique and influential kitchen designers in the Western world
· Ilse Crawford, a creative director who has set new directions in design for more than a decade
· Mark Armstrong, an industrial designer who is Managing Director and one of the founding principals of Blue Sky Creative
· Raul Pires, head of exterior design for the UK car manufacturer Bentley
· Henrik Otto, Senior Vice President of Global Design at Electrolux who leads an organization of 200 at six major design centers worldwide
· Cathy Huang, CEO and founder of China Bridge International (CBI), the first Design Management Company in that country

Flavor of Shunshine. Click on photo for larger image.

Second place in the competition went to "Flavor of Sunshine" from students at Zhejiang University, China. A new washing concept inspired by the power of sunshine. The concept uses the age-old methods of cleaning clothes: washing, spinning, and sun-baking. The solar unit simulates afternoon sunshine, like clothes washed by Mother Nature. The designed is a round top and a square base, which mirrors a small universe, according to tenets of the Chinese people.

Happy Feet. Click on photo for larger image.

Third place went to "Happy Feet" from students at Korea University of Technology and Education in South Korea. In the year 2020, the importance of hygiene will be even greater than it is today. This appliance, called Happy Feet, is a solution for cleaning and sanitizing shoes. It uses charcoal, and ultraviolet rays to eliminate odors and sterilize shoes, both inside and out. Sleek lotus shape, and a spectacular light show when it operates.

For more information please visit Electrolux

Click here to view more news headlines.

E-mail this page to a friend

- Thinking about going back to school?

- How to Sharpen Your Business Writing Skills

- Free Career Test

- Third Electrolux Design Lab Student Competition

- All this Months News

Copyright - Unless otherwise stated all contents of this web site are © 1998/2005– JOBWERX.COM. – All Rights Reserved. For permission to reproduce any contents of this web site, please advise our Syndication department: Log onto HELP

Easy as 1, 2, 3
Create on-line tests,
quizzes, assessments and exams in minutes!