Yanko Design’s relationship with the Electrolux Design Lab is almost half a decade old. We have been with them since their London finals event to Milan, Stockholm, Paris and now Helsinki. One thing you have to give it to them, each year they keep innovating their system to give us a cutting-edge event that is classy and well designed. This year was by far the best! Not only in terms of the final presentation by the six finalists, but in terms of culinary experiences using Electrolux Appliances, topic selection, curating the design and judging of projects envisioned by Jordan Lee Martin (Winner), Dominykas Budinas (Second Place), Jeongbin Seo (Third Place), Mary Pilyugina, Tobias Tsamisis and Martha Fabiola García Bustos.
These six students flew in from far corners of the world to the erstwhile Design Capital – Helsinki, which I may add is a very beautiful, hospitable city. Sprouts of Russian architecture rubs shoulders with typical Scandinavian architecture. The Electrolux team had a well-designed day planned for us, which kicked off at the Flavor Studio where Culinary Team (Finland) Chef Aki Kinnunen had planned a special meal for us. The purpose behind this visit was to enlighten us about Steam-oven cooking and Sous-vide cooking.
Before you go – where are the details on the Design Lab?! – let me tell you that this build-up is important in terms of design and the future of Design Lab, because the winner ultimately interns with the design team, and works on projects like the appliances used in the cooking of this meal. It all ties in. Lars Erikson – the Design Chief of Electrolux told me that about 3 or 4 of the past winners are presently working full time with the team. Those who moved on have gone to establish their own studios or work with big brands in the business. I remember you Peter Alwin! Apparently his award-winning concept – The Snail – is a very make-able product!
Just like the Future Classroom by Tobias Tsamisis, who opened the evening with his presentation. His idea of having an open classroom space where you can produce fruits and vegetables with a self-sustaining aquaponic system is quite a technique that can be implemented. However as one of the judges pointed out, it was hard to make it modular; thus using this method to teach children the values of “Healthy Happy Kids” was going to be tough.
Yes, the theme for the year was a tough one – Healthy Happy Kids – imagine 20-year-olds trying to figure out what can keep kids happy and healthy at the same time!
Moving on to the rest of our day – after a quick meal of Steamed white fish in vanilla beurre monte with dark dill sauce, Duck breast (sous-vide cooking) with burned juniper berries and rowan berry sauce, Jerusalem Artichoke casserole steamed with baby carrots with honey and seeds, Steam-oven baked Lardon bread with pumpkin seed butter and Lingonberry pie with slated caramel ice cream – we were off to a guided tram ride that allowed us to soak in the architectural and cultural aspects of Helsinki.
After a short coffee break, we were all herded to Kattilahalli, the venue for the Electrolux Design Lab Awards. After formally introducing us to the Judges for the evening – Lars Erikson, Hanna Harris and Fredrik Magnusson – Tobias opened the evening with his presentation and then was followed suit by Dominykas Budinas and his Air Shield concept. This design bagged the second spot for its futuristic shield that protected little babies from pollution and bad quality air. For Dominykas, the hardest part was doing the presentation; although he was confident about his project, he was hoping that the judges would ask him questions on the bits that he had not elaborated. And this exactly what happened; he fielded the questions with descriptive details about the project – especially the one regarding the short lifespan of the baby carriage which is intended for small babies only! He took home 6,000 Euros as his Second Prize!
Next in the lineup was Mary Pilyugina with her Plato concept. This was a design that had five robots spanning five stages of a child’s life. With so many elements to the design, Thomas Johansson the Design Director of Electrolux was completely intrigued and perhaps was one of the reasons Mary was up in the challenge. She was onto a great idea and made a strong presentation too. As we all know that Electrolux makes mock-ups for each design, Plato was one design that they had the toughest time figuring out which one to create. Ultimately the mock up of Cuon was created.
Guess you must be hungry by now! We were too, and like I mentioned, Electrolux had notched up the experience for the student designers and guests alike. The entire evening was a sit-down dinner kinda event. So while the first three finalists made their case, the audience was seated comfortably amongst designated dinner guests who were eminent bloggers, journalists from Europe and the Design fraternity of Finland.
Finland’s finest, award-winning chefs dished out treats like Rainbow Trout with exotic vegetable and herbs for the first round and a sumptuous dessert buffet. Needless to say, all of the evenings’ cooking was done using Electrolux’s finest appliances.
The second and final round of presentations saw Jeongbin Seo,Martha Fabiola García Bustos and Jordan Lee Martin make their pitch in front of the judges. What is noteworthy here is that both Jordan and Jeongbin weaved their presentation around their own personal experiences as children. English is not Jeongbin’s native language, however he did a commendable job delivering his presentation. Although the Hula Hoop as a design has been seen in the Design Lab lineup a couple of years ago – Jeongbin’s version is much more refined and dedicated to air quality than laundry. He took home 4,000 Euros for his third place position.
Jordan spoke passionately about the challenges his autistic brother faced and how his mother had to ensure that he was kept safe at all times. Speaking with Jordan I realized that he was committed to the design from the get-go. He was overseas when his school asked him to participate in the Design Lab competition, and from the first sketch onwards he knew he wanted to create a safe kettle, whose byproduct steam can be used for other child-friendly activities. It was heartening to learn his committed focus on a solution that was inspired by his autistic brother. Perhaps this is what Good Design is – solution to an existing problem with a sustainable and viable approach. Jordan you are a true winner! Congratulations on your paid internship with Electrolux, and 10,000 Euros Cash Prize!
Weaver by Larissa Trindade took home the People’s Choice Award and a cash prize of 2,000 Euros. And of course, one of the finalists this year, heard about the Design Lab competition through Yanko Design! This brings us to the end of the wrap-up for 2015 … until next year then!
A 2015 Electrolux Design Lab finalist concept, the Air Shield looks at baby carriers in a whole new way. Inspired by car cabins, the glass shield creates a protective pod-like formation around the little one to keep them safe from polluted air, UV rays and even noise. Its unique ventilation system was inspired by the air system in cars that allow passengers to choose whether air comes from in or outside. From outside, parents can still communicate via a microphone system.
It’s all about connecting the dots and relating to the present generation. Like it or not, children learn a lot more things via the digital world and gamifying health and hygiene is what the Electrolux HP+ intends to do.
Using funky projections that educate a child about the differences between healthy and unhealthy food, the HP+ engages and makes it fun to inculcate good habits. Washing hands frequently, shopping for healthier food options and walking are some of the inspirational tasks that can be set up for the child, by the parents.
The gaming aspect comes via competing with other children to score brownie points and staying ahead in the health game! You can vote for this 2015 Electrolux Design Lab entry here and stand a chance to win a trip to Helsinki
The creative inspirations seen in Part 1 and Part 2 of the 2015 Electrolux Design Lab showcase, leaves us beyond doubt that this year will see a tough competition for the top spot. Eventually, six shortlisted designers will make their way to Helsinki, to present their project in front of a live audience and eminent judges.
You can be a part of this party, simply vote and win a trip to Helsinki and catch the action live. Read through this final roundup of projects and interview with the semi-finalists below and then follow the instructions at the bottom of the page; make your choice and WIN!
YD – How are scents recreated? Are any special substances or elements required to achieve this?
Pierosan – Through a cartridge of synthetically created esters, EchoDream will mix them and, then, create a infinity of smells.
YD – If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and what would you do there?
Pierosan – I would visit the New Zealand, give Gandalf a high-five, and learn more about the incredible landscapes of there! Posted in Uncategorized | Taggedcompetition, Competitions, Electrolux-Design-Lab
To match Electrolux’s spiffy new look (dat logo tho!), Electrolux Design Lab is getting a makeover of its own! The 13th year of the challenge features a new theme, new focus areas, new judges, new experts to guide the finalists, and… DOUBLE PRIZE MONEY! Mmmhmm. So get amped about this year’s theme, Happy Healthy Kids… because… after all, you were a tike once too! REGISTER HERE and get your submission in by the April 8th deadline. Then hit the jump to check out our very own brainstorming tips!
Stumped on where to start? That’s normal. If we learned anything from interviewing last years finalists, it’s that inspiration can come from anywhere and everywhere, sometimes when you least expect it. Here are a few of our pointers to get your wheels turning!
Bonjour de Paris! MAGICAL is the only word to describe the climax of this year’s Electrolux Design Lab… & no better place could play host to the big finale than the most magical city in the world! After months of development, 6 finalists from around 1500 submissions found themselves fighting for the top 3 spots with one grand prize winner of €5,000 & a 6 month paid internship at an Electrolux global design centre. Hit the jump to watch the a replay of full event or skip to 2:00:00 to watch Yanko’s Troy Turner get up close & personal with the designers! And… the 2014 winners are…
1st – Pan Wang (center) for Future Hunter Gatherer 2nd – Fulden Dehneli (left) for Lotus 3rd – Michał Pośpiech (right) for UrbanCONE Also pictured – Lars Erikson, Senior Vice President Design at Electrolux and Head of Jury
Pan Wang’s winning concept, Future Hunter Gatherer, is a virtual grocery shopping experience inspired by nature. It projects a hologram that lets the user play a game to gather food by fishing, hunting or gathering the food from nature. The information of the collected food in the game is then transmitted to the local grocery store or market, that in turn gathers the goods and deliver them to the user’s door.
Pan had this to say about the concept: “I find that there is a lack of connection between people and food sources, as buying food from super markets is so easy, people have lost knowledge of where the ingredients actually come from. I was inspired by the traditional way people collected food, the hunter-gather period. By simulating nature, bringing an element of gamification into food preparation and connecting this with the food suppliers, learning about food and buying groceries becomes a fun and educational activity for the whole family.”
“In an educational, honest and playful way, this concept addresses issues of ecology and consumer awareness related to the food supply chain in an urban society,” said Lars Erikson, Senior Vice President Design at Electrolux and Head of Jury.
Below is a full video of the live event, including all 6 designers’ presentations, questions from the Jury, the crowning of the winner as well as a special and intimate interview session with each of the finalists from Yanko’s Senior Editor, Troy Turner. (Skip to 2:00:00 to watch the interviews!).
The 2014 EDL Jury: Lars Erikson, Senior Vice President Design at Electrolux, Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor at H&M, and Robin Edman, Chief Executive of SVID (Swedish Industrial Design Foundation)
Yanko Design’s Senior Editor, Troy Turner, chooses public Twitter-submitted questions as part of the Electrolux #AskFinalist contest. The 10 tweeters with the best questions each received an Electrolux Ergorapido!
There can only big one big winner at the final event of this year’s Electrolux Design Lab, but right now is your chance to win big! Starting now, check out the six finalists’ designs here, and then tweet using the hashtags #AskFinalist and #DesignLab2014 with your question (remember to state which concept your tweet is for). The 10 best questions will be asked during the live stream of the event starting at 16:30 CET on November 12. If yours is picked, you’ll win an Electrolux Ergorapido! Watch the show live to see if your question is asked!
Get allllllll the info here and some tips on creating your question!
Washing machines didn’t exactly go through any major design changes in the past couple of decades. The one imagined by industrial designer Chan Yeop Jeong for the Electrolux Design Lab does not only redefine the shape of washing machines, but also the way they function.
Basically, Jeong concluded that the detergent that’s used by millions of people is harmful for the environment, and proceeded to designing a washer that cleans clothes using robot fish instead of this dangerous compound. The idea itself is beautiful, as real fish would also be hurt by detergent.
Pecera, as this design concept is called, makes use of robotic fish that eat the dead cell skins in a similar way to the doctor fish used as part of spa treatments in the Netherlands (and most probably in other parts of the world, as well). On top of that, the robot fish that populate Pecera consume the dirt found in clothes as if it were a delicacy. As a matter of fact, the collection of robotic fish even has a name, Dofi.
The Dofi rely on hydroelectric power to circulate through the garments, and are able to detect dirt by using a minuscule camera that’s incorporated in each fish. If you thought that the awesomeness of this design concept stops here, you couldn’t have been wronger. Each Dofi uses an alkaline liquid jelly to take the dirt apart and then absorbs it. Needless to say, this is an eco-friendly way of washing clothes that prevents oxidation and discoloration, two things that occur quite frequently when using conventional detergent.
Pecera would also work wonders for people with sensitive skin, who are affected by chemical detergents. Replacing these with the Dofi isn’t the only measure that proves the industrial designer’s love for the environment. This washing machine design concept does not use multiple washing cycles, in order to save water and energy.
Since this is an exercise in design, I should talk a bit about Pecera’s innovative shape. Given the unusual forms, people would be able to place this sci-fi washing machine anywhere in their homes, as washing clothes in such a thing has the potential of being more entertaining than television. It would really be a show, were this product a reality!
If Amazon is considering using drones to deliver parcels, a student at the Kyiv National University Of Construction And Architecture thought that these flying robots might as well deliver cocktails.
At least that’s what the concept submitted at the Electrolux Design Lab suggests. Herman Haydin, the student in question, based its work on an idea that’s quite old now, that of a robot bartender. However, his twist is guaranteed to attract more attention. Yura, as the flying bartender drone concept is called, was short-listed among the Top 35 Finalists at the Design Lab of the Swedish home goods manufacturer.
Besides cocktails, Yura can also prepare tea and coffee. I wonder what Jura, the Swiss manufacturer of coffee machines has to say about this, given that the pronunciation of the two is pretty similar. According to Haydin, the amount of calories in each drink prepared by Yura can be adjusted so that it matches the body of the drinker. I don’t know what exactly is that supposed to mean, but I assume that overweight people won’t get any drinks that are rich in fat.
One of the most interesting aspects about Yura is the way users interact with it. The drone reacts to voice commands, but can also be activated via smartphones, tablets, and computers. The idea itself is pretty great, but I’m curious of how it would work.
The sensory body screens and the computer brain included in the drone take care of the power settings, navigation map, and voice commands. On top of that, those components manage the Wi-Fi connection between the drone and the various devices it’s controlled from, as well as any software downloads it may need. Besides the temperature of the prepared beverages, the drone’s brain controls the number of calories, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. All in all, the concept is pretty great, but I’m not sure about it being realistic.
Haydin claims that Yura can be customized according to the user’s preferences. In other words, that means that its outer shell can come in a particular color. Other than that, the parts can also be colored, so it would all depend on the taste of people using it.
Personally, I wouldn’t mind if this concept became a reality, as bars and lounges would get a touch of modernism this way.
Simply put, by entering the 2014 Electrolux Design Lab Competition you can pocket some handsome booty, secure a paid internship for a year and learn a lot more than what traditional classrooms will teach you. In short, you will not only win € 5000 but also get a head start to life. YD has been media partners with the Design Lab for over three years now and each year we see a phenomenal growth the value that this design competition brings to young talents.
It was just last year when Hidashi Hamaguchi and Yanko Design’s Design Strategist was a part of the Jury and awarded Adrian Perez Zapata from Colombia, the first prize for his concept – Mab.
For the 2014 challenge, Electrolux Design Lab is looking for students who want to challenge preconceptions. They are looking for ideas that are based on insights around human behavior and ones that can improve the quality of people’s everyday lives. Submissions can be products, accessories, consumables and services for one of the following focus areas:
Design challenge: Which inspiring and motivating solutions within culinary enjoyment can be designed to support the desire for healthier lifestyles in future homes?
Design challenge: How can air purification be designed in a way that enhances the quality of the different activities in our living environments and addresses specific needs?
1st prize: € 5000 and 6 months paid internship at Electrolux,
2nd prize: € 3000,
3rd prize: € 2000,
People’s Choice: € 1000
The internship takes place in one of the ten design centers that Electrolux has around the globe. The headquarters of Electrolux is situated in Stockholm, Sweden.
Mab is an automated cleaning system consisting of hundreds of flying mini-robots. The robots clean surfaces by touching them with a drop of water. Mab scans the house, determine the areas to clean and sends the robots flying.
Atomium is a 3D printer that uses molecular ingredients to construct food layer by layer. Draw the shape of the food you would like to eat and show it to the appliance. Atomium scans the image and prints food in the desired shape.
Breathing Wall is a wall integrated air cleaning concept which pulsates and changes shape as it cleans the air. It can be customized to suit individual needs as it also scents the air you breathe and changes color according to your choice.
Who can enter: Individual undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in a university or graduated 2013 or later. Read the rules here.
What you need to do: Submit a description, a consumer benefit and a visual sketch of your idea. If it gets picked as one of the top 100+ designs, you’re in for quite a journey.
