Leading global design competition announces new interactive submission process for 2013
The idea is king for Electrolux Design Lab 2013 as the leading global design competition is now open for submissions, by asking design students and recent design graduates to submit an idea and a sketch for an innovative design solution for future households. Revolutionising this year’s competition are a number of interactive digital initiatives which ensure the best 100+ submissions around the world will receive instant global recognition; from offering the public the chance to vote and influence the selection, to Electrolux professionals encouraging entrants with constructive feedback throughout the competition.
100+ best design concepts online
The entry deadline for the first competition stage, a concept description and a sketch, is 15th March 2013. This year the competition will be conducted in five stages, allowing the applicants to concentrate on different areas throughout the process.
Stage 1: Submit a Concept Idea and a Sketch, 15th March
Stage 2: Concept Development, April
Stage 3: Visual Development, May
Stage 4: Functionality Development, June and July
Stage 5: Design Lab Final Event, October
The ’People’s Choice Award’ encourages applicants to campaign on behalf of their submissions and garner support for their design in social media. At each stage the public votes will play a major part, as the concept that receives the most public votes will automatically progress to the next round.
Over 100 of the best submissions from around the world will be published online in the beginning of April allowing them instant global recognition. The site will include a dedicated profile page and a personal blog for the entrants. The profile page will contain background information about the student and their submission, whilst the blog will go into more detail about the development process of their concept. Both, along with the entry submission will include capabilities that allow them to be promoted and shared via their social networks.
This year Electrolux professionals from design, innovation and R&D will be selecting the submissions at each stage and giving valuable feedback to the applicants. Julia Lilliehöök, Insight Marketer Director at Electrolux Market Driven Innovation, explains why this year’s competition has a new digital focus and will encourage global interaction: “Sharing knowledge is a key instrument in the innovation process. We urge students to share their design content with people across different professions and cultures to help inspire them when developing their concepts. This year Electrolux will help entrants to stay connected by publishing the best concepts to a global online audience.”
An inspiring brief
This year’s theme, Inspired Urban Living, asks for all to submit design solutions that consider evolving challenges set to shape our future.
The focus of which falls into three key areas; Social Cooking, Natural Air and Effortless Cleaning. Thomas Johansson, Design Director at Electrolux Design comments: “With more than 60 percent of the world population expected to live in urban cities by 2030, urbanisation will undoubtedly have an effect on the way we live in the future. We therefore invite students to envision that future in order to develop meaningful, relevant, innovative and unique solutions that are sustainable and based on future consumer needs.”
PRIZES: Global recognition, prizes and an internship to be won
- First Prize – 5,000 Euros and a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design centre
- Second Prize – 3,000 Euros
- Third Prize – 2,000 Euros
- People’s Choice Award – 1,000 Euros
More information about the competition can be found and submissions can be entered on Design Lab web page electrolux.com/electroluxdesignlab.
