iF Concept Award Targets Student and Professional Designers Worldwide

Only a year after its spin-off from its parent-the iF product, communication and material design competition-the iF Concept Award has picked up ample steam and interest in its second edition. The iF Concept Award 2009 attracted 3,221 entries submitted by designers from 39 nations, whose creations supposedly represent forward-thinking, innovation. The entries this year have risen 52% over that in 2008, when 2,114 submissions from 37 countries were seen.

Entry in the competition is free and open to global students majoring in design, architecture, engineering and marketing, as well as professionals who have graduated within the last two years. Their submissions, according to the regulations, fall into six categories: time to market; industrial design; fashion; communication design/multimedia design; architecture and interior design; and universal design.

The awards ceremony was held March 7 at the CeBIT's "design: driving innovation" stand. And a prize money, totaling 30,000 euro and provided by the two gold sponsors Samsung Electronics and Volkswagen AG, was distributed among the 28 entries picked as the "Best 100."

Nine entries from Taiwan were selected by the jury as the "Best 100" or winners of the iF Concept Award 2009, including one among the 11 winners who received 500 euro in prize money.

Commenting on the huge variety and number of contributions this year, Ralph Wiegmann, manager of iF International Forum Design GmbH, said: "Almost nowhere else can a perspective of the architectural and product worlds of the future be found on this scale. It is also remarkable how strongly the young designers are affected by ecological and sustainability needs - irrespective if the contributions come from Asia, the U.S., Latin America or Europe."

Contestants who have fanciful, unrealistic ideas need not apply to the iF Concept Award, for the evaluation criteria clearly ask designers to have their feet on the ground, judging entries based on "design quality; level of innovation; visualization of usage/user interface; target group orientation; setting of tasks and objectives; depth of elaboration; social relevance/adequacy; environmental compatibility; universal design principles; choice of material; functionality; security; and usability."

Influenced by Current Event

According to the iF, the jury concluded this year that overall the young participants, coming predominantly from Asia, were obviously strongly influenced by current world events. This is evidenced in the general bias of the entries, which tend to revolve around sustainability (principally energy-saving measures); climate change; and disaster-control (for examples flood, drought or rescue equipment). In other words, the submissions this year brimmed with the humanitarian wish to tap technologies to maintain lifestyles while saving resources, as well as help victims suffering from man's excesses.

The editorial team of the DIT (Design & Innovation in Taiwan) magazine, in the following, summarizes the prizewinners of the iF Concept Award 2009 from Taiwan, including some winners of the top €6,000, €4,000, €3,000 and €2,0000 prizes.

"Best 100" Entries From Taiwan

Braille Scanner | mobile phone

Prizewinner of €500

Category: communication & multimedia design

Design: Fu-Hua Wang, Tainan University of Arts, Taiwan

This mobile phone has been conceived for people with limited sight. It can convert braille into audible speech, so that the blind can easily understand braille books and newspapers. It is small and can be simply carried in the pocket.

SO WATER | shower fittings

Category: universal design

Design: Lin, Yang-An/Liao, Ching-Chan, Ming-Chi University of Technology, Taiwan

Most people have had the experience of forgetting to switch the shower over before using the tap and getting splashed with water as a consequence. The object of this project was to design the shower apparatus integrating a new style of faucet into its operation. Pull the pipe down when you want to use the tap, and then pull it up again to connect with pipe of the shower nozzle when you want to take a shower. The motivation of this design was to guide the users by changing their perspective of an everyday operation.

Freedle | needle

Category: industrial design

Design: Mao, Chia Lin, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan

Freedle is designed with new style of needle eye made of soft flexible nylon allowing the thread to be threaded through more easily. Freedle is also made out of a fluorescent material making it easier to find if it gets dropped on the floor or somewhere dark. This would also help people to avoid stepping on it and getting hurt while they are looking for it.

Eat Clean | tableware

Category: industrial design

Design: Chung-Ping Lai/Ming-Hong Yeh, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan

People often feel uncomfortable about using cutlery which has been in contact with the table top. 'Eat Clean' presents an elegant solution to this problem by combining the specific shape and weight principle of a seesaw. The parts in contact with the mouth will be kept away from the table top whichever way round the cutlery is placed.

Sticker Phone | mobile phone

Category: industrial design

Design: Hsiang-Ling Liu, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan.

Sticker phone is an innovative eco product. It is made of natural polysiloxane, with solar panels installed on the back. Its convex form enables it to be stuck to a window for charging, thus reducing the need for extra mobile phone related products. Simply stick it onto the window to absorb sunlight wherever you are, in the car or at work. Now you no longer have to decide between an elegant multifunctional phone and the ultimate eco phone.

Rocking Chair | rocking chair

Category: industrial design

Design: Tsu-Jung Kuo, National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan

A chair with adjustable sitting positions. After sitting for a while in one posture, you change the position to avoid cramp and backache. Increases fun and maintains interest during everyday use.

Rabbit Hanger | clothes hanger

Category: industrial design

Design: Yeh, Hsin-Hua, Shu-Te University, Taiwan etc.

The original purpose of this design was to help pregnant women to get dressed more easily. Gradually it developed into the present multi-usage 'Rabbit Hanger'. It's not only a unique clothes hanger but also a useful tool for putting on clothes and shoes. On one end of the hanger is a hole for doing up a zipper and on the other, a shoe puller. From now on you won't have to ask somebody to do your zipper up for you. Another feature of the hanger is that it doesn't have the traditional hook; it is pushed on and pulled off the hanger rail.

Plug for visually | plug concept

Category: industrial design

Design: Chia-hsiang, Lin, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taiwan

This plug for the blind or visually impaired, who have much more difficulty inserting a plug in a socket. In daily life, we often need to repeatedly perform this action. I have created tracks leading into plug socket, allowing the visually impaired to insert the plug more easily.

So Sweet | clinical thermometer

Category: industrial design

Design: Chun-Chia Hsu, Chiao Tung University, Taiwan

On a psychological level, even a single clinical thermometer can make people feel uncomfortable and like a patient. Many people don't like the experience of having their temperature taken. However, if we can turn the clinical thermometers into lollipops, it will allow people to enjoy a pleasant experience, while having their temperature taken. Even a child can hold the 'So Sweet' in the mouth; the sweet coating melts on contact with saliva.

€6,000 prize winner

BETH | scooter with water container

Category: industrial design

Design: Jungae Seo

University: Hong-ik University, Seoul, S. Korea

This design is for a scooter with an attached water tank, designed especially for children living in countries where houses often have no running water. When the children are sent to fetch water, they set off with the 'Beth' scooter, fill the water tank and so are able to transport the water playfully. This is a simple method of transport which can be economically produced, and at the same time providing the children with a toy with which they can simply have fun.

€4,000 prize winner

Energy ball | football

Category: industrial design

Design: Sung Hyun Hwang, Hye in Lee

University: Chosun University, Gwang-ju, Korea

When the 'energy ball' is kicked, piezo elements inside the ball transform the impact energy into electrical energy. If the ball is used during the day, it can generate enough energy to power a light bulb or a small electrical device by night. The concept is particularly well suited to countries in the developing world.

€3,000 prize winner

Yl Sound | earplugs

Category: industrial design

Design: Jiwoong Hwang

University: Samsung Design Membership, Seoul, Korea

Who hasn't had the problem of earphone cables for an mp3 player or personal CD player getting all tangled up in a mess? No solution to the problem has been present - until now. These earplugs offer a solution, combining the zip-fastener with a simple fashion idea: the control for the music player is inside the zip pocket. A simple and logical solution.

€2,000 prize winner

PROTHESE | interim leg prosthetic

Category: industrial design

Design: Tillman Beuscher

University: Hochschule Darmstadt, Germany

The Landmine Monitor report estimates the number of landmine victims to be between 15,000 to 20,000 a year. This interim prosthetic for the leg is intended as an immediate aid for those injured by war and landmines worldwide. The central aim is to support self-help by means of swift initial treatment. This can be provided directly helping people to maintain hope and enabling them to continue supporting their families.