How exciting is that? I’m absolutely over the moon to make this announcement and it’s been very difficult to keep it secret over the past week or so. I’m so relieved to finally be able to shout it proudly into the blogosphere. And just in case you didn’t hear me the first time I’m going to say it again: “I’m the official blogger for Electrolux Design Lab!” So I’m guessing that there will be some of you who won’t actually know what Electrolux Design Lab is, so I better fill you in otherwise you won’t know why I’m so excited.
Established in 2003, Electrolux Design Lab is an annual global design competition open to undergraduate and graduate design students from around the world. The aim of the competition is to encourage these young designers to present innovative concept designs that we could use in our homes in the future.
Every year, Electrolux sets a different brief for the entrants and that brief is centred around a theme. In previous years, concepts have been requested for themes such as healthy eating, sustainable living, the internet generation and ever-shrinking city spaces. In response, young students have submitted designs such as: Flatshare, a stackable refrigerator for roommates; Cocoon, a meat and fish maker; and Snail, a portable induction heating concept.
For 2013, the competition is inspired by the transformation happening in our daily living environment and the theme is ‘Inspired Urban Living’. As an increasing proportion of the population shifts from living in open rural locations into densely populated areas, cities are becoming increasingly cramped, busy and compact. Whilst our living areas are smaller and there is less storage, the home still needs to be the epicentre of entertaining and culinary enjoyment. It is therefore important that we have the necessary tools available to adapt our daily lives to this new model. And that is what Electrolux is hoping to explore with this year’s competition.
Once the entrants have submitted their concept designs the selection process will begin, aided by a jury panel of experts and industry leaders. The winner of the competition will be chosen at a final event in October 2013 and will receive a prize of 5,000 euro and a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design centre. Second prize is 3,000 euro, third prize is 2,000 euro and a People’s Choice award of 1,000 euro will be given to the submission with the most online votes (I’ll explain about this later).
So now you can see why I am so excited to be involved with this, right? For years I have eagerly watched the Electrolux Design Lab competitions unfolding and I’ve been amazed at all the innovative and inspiring design that result from the endless creativity of the design students that get involved. And now I will be able to report each stage of the competition to you as and when it happens. Each milestone will be covered by me here on The Design Sheppard and I can’t wait to take you guys on the journey with me. So keep your eyes peeled over the coming months as I’ll have some super exciting content coming up.
For now though, I’d love to know how many of you already knew about the Design Lab so do let me know below. And if you have followed it in the past, what was your favourite design? Can’t wait to hear from you!
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