Innovative ideas from more than 100 design students in 29 countries passed the first round of selection in Electrolux Design Lab 2013.
These submissions can now be seen on the Electrolux Design Lab website, where the public can also vote for a favorite idea.
Some of the trends in this year’s competition, which attracted 1,700 entries, are the rise of 3D printing technology, wearable appliance accessories and smart technology in social cooking.
The concepts submitted represent the Inspired Urban Living theme of the competition, which has Social Cooking, Natural Air and Effortless Cleaning as its three focus areas. Those chosen by Electrolux professionals and the public will make it to the next stage of the competition. The main prize, to be awarded in October, is EUR 5,000 and a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design center.
The top 100+ entries are posted for public viewing and voting at http://electrolux.com/electroluxdesignlab.
New technologies and inspiring design solutions
The concepts were selected by Electrolux design, R&D and innovation professionals. Design Director and Jury Chairman Thomas Johansson commented on the submissions:
“The concepts we chose to be further developed are relevant and convincing, with clever ideas on how to make cooking, cleaning and air cleaning more inspiring in the future. Some of the trends we can see in this year’s competition are different ways to use 3D printing technology, wearable appliance accessories, and new approaches to integrated appliance solutions.
We have also received concepts that reflect our memories and highlight our senses, as well as smart technology in social cooking solutions. This is an exciting year also because the concepts go beyond products; many interesting design solutions include services and consumables.”
This year’s competition will be conducted in five stages, allowing the applicants to concentrate on different areas of development in the process. After being developed further, those selected will be evaluated by Electrolux professionals. Each concept can be voted on by the public, and the ones that receive the most votes will go straight to the next round. After the next submission deadline, 50+ concepts will be chosen to proceed to the next stage.
Five submission stages
- Stage 1. Submission of concept idea and sketch by March 15
- Stage 2. Concept development, deadline May 1
- Stage 3. Visual development, May
- Stage 4. Functionality development, June and July
- Stage 5. Design Lab final event, October
Global recognition, prizes and an internship to be won
When eight finalists are selected in October, the student whose concept gets the most public votes will be named the winner of the People’s Choice Award and receive a prize of EUR 1,000. First prize will be awarded to the student that the judging panel believes has created a ground-breaking design solution for the future. This student will receive EUR 5,000 and a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design center. Second prize is EUR 3,000; and third prize is EUR 2,000.
For media enquiries
Please contact: designlab@electrolux.se or Electrolux Press Hotline, +46 8 657 65 07.