Electrolux Design Lab: A Look Back at 2012

As you all know, entries for the Electrolux Design Lab opened last Monday and in my last post I featured a number of entries from previous years’ competitions that could serve as inspiration for this year’s theme. Well this week I wanted to take a closer look at some of my favourite designs that made it through to the finals last year. The standard was particularly high and the jury was impressed with how the student’s creative and insightful thinking reflected the theme, which was ‘Design Experience’ and which challenged entrants to design home appliances that provide a fuller sensory experience. 

Aeroball by Jan Ankiersztajn, Poland

The winner of the 10th Annual Design Lab competition was Jan Ankiersztajn from Poland who was awarded first prize in the finals, which were held at the Triennale Design Museum in Milan, last October. Jan’s design was called Aeroball and was a collection of luminescent, hovering balls that can filter and fragrance the air in a room. They float using helium and drift down to the ground when they are ready to be changed.

Commenting in the winning design, Thomas Johansson, Design Director at Electrolux and head of the jury said: “We rely on our senses for almost everything, so considering the senses is an important factor when designing appliances. This year’s winning concept Aeroball is a truly innovative concept that uses space in a unique way and delights our surroundings. It also changes our perception of an air cleaner, because it is delicate in aesthetics, it is emotional and also relevant, because it addresses the consumer’s needs.”

Tastee by Christopher Holm-Hansen, Denmark

Another of my favourite designs from last year came third in the competition and also won the People’s Choice Award after receiving over 1000 unique votes on Facebook. Tastee by Christopher Holm-Hansen from Denmark is a taste indicator that is used when cooking to assist the chef in bringing out the flavours in the meal. The Tastee is the shape and size of a regular spoon but with one main difference, The Tastee tastes for you. Using receptors based on the human taste bud the Tastee tells you what you need, what you don’t and maybe even something you would never imagine. Tastee helps you make the perfectly balanced, flavourful meal for you and your family to enjoy.

Memory by Wenyao Cai, China

Another of the finalists that really caught my eye was Memory by Wenyao Cai from China who came up with a concept for a coffee maker that uses hand print recognition to make the right cup of coffee for the right person. Whether you prefer your coffee weak, medium or strong or maybe you prefer an espresso to a ristretto, Memory will remember every time. You tell it what you want, it scans your hand and the next time you want that exact same cup of coffee Memory is ready and waiting to serve it to you. What a genius idea. I know this would go down well in my house as my husband and I have very different preferences for coffee.

Easystir by Lisa Frodadottir Låstad, Norway

Lisa Frodadottir Låstad from Norway came up with a great design that enables cooks to stir their food during the cooking process without having to do it themselves. In order to create the stirring motion, the Easystir utilises magnets that react to the induction stove so it never needs to be charged, have its batteries replaced or be plugged into a wall socket. The stirring speed can be adjusted easily by the user while the Easystir adjusts itself to fit into almost any pot. It’s compact, dishwasher safe and can be stored as simply and neatly as any other kitchen utensil. I think this design would come in particularly handy with all those tricky sauces that require constant stirring to prevent lumps forming. 

 

Mo’Sphere by Yunuén Hernández, Mexico

Yunuén Hernández of Mexico came up with an innovative design that uses molecular cooking, a realm that has, until now, been dominated by celebrity chefs and Five Star restaurants. Mo’Sphere allows the user to experiment with and experience new flavours and sensations.

To see these designs and to find out more about the other 2012 finalists I have not mentioned here please visit the Electrolux Design Lab website.