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2006 IDEA Industrial Design Excellence Award
Reviews
By Ania Dardas
BumpIDEA – Industrial Design Excellence Award – is sponsored by Business Week magazine and organized by the Industrial Designers of America (IDSA). The award embodies IDSA’s mission, which is to advance the quality and positive impact of design worldwide.
The 2006 IDEA jury was headed by Chris Conley, co-founder and director of Gravity Tank and Associate Professor and Track Lead of Product Design at the Institute of Design in Chicago. The jury also included names such as John R Hoke III of Nike, Tor Alden of HS Design, Trendmaster Robyn Waters and Richard Eisermann of Prospect in London.
IDEA’s success shows how excellence in industrial design can, among others, give products a tactical advantage by reinforcing and delivering a brand message with extra punch, enhance product image, transform markets and also add to the bottom line.
Effect coatings represent an important way in which industrial designers differentiate their product from the rest of the field and lend it or reinforce its personality.
In 2006, 108 designers were distinguished with an award in the categories: business & industrial products, computer, equipment, consumer products, design explorations, design strategy, ecodesign, environments, furniture, medical & scientific equipment, packaging & graphics, research, student designs and transportation.
Among the winners were the Sun Family of servers and workstations designed with extensibility and modularity in mind. The metallic alloy finish distinguishes it from the dark shades that are common among data centers.
Sun server family
The bright red Pluma gas canister won an award in the packaging & graphics category. It is 50% lighter than traditional steel cylinders and has a heavy grain exterior that looks friendly and is warm to the touch. The ergonomically designed collar with its rounded handle makes it easy to lift. This product manages to combine esthetics and functionality for an object that is used in the home.
Pluma gas canister
The cool metallic surface and sophisticated geometric curves are just a couple of the factors that made the Australian Crinia voice conference system a winner in the business & industrial products category.
Crinia voice conferencing system
For more information on prize-winning industrial design, go to: www.idsa.org/IDEA2006