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Every year, Electrolux Design Lab invites industrial design students to present innovative ideas for appliances of the future. This global competition attracts creative and lateral approaches to design challenges and has drawn thousands of entries since its inception in 2003. A prerequisite for any concept considered for progression, is an adherence to sustainable principles.

Previous finalists have included a portable solar cooker charged by its spray-on solar cells, a clothes washer where natural soap nuts replace detergents and a cooker that creates the night’s salmon dinner from a packet of genetically engineered muscle cells, oxygen, and nutrients.

The popularity of Electrolux Design Lab stems from a potential internship and learning opportunities awarded its finalists. For Electrolux, its dialogue and ideas are a springboard to thinking beyond current solutions to addressing challenges consumers face tomorrow.

In the short term, future generations of appliances will appear much the same as those found in our kitchens and laundry rooms today, however more intuitive, more energy-efficient and material-homogenous. Beyond individual appliances, we are thinking of the sustainable home, which is an integrated network where the waste from one product rejuvenates the function of another. The leftovers from yesterday’s dinner composts into fuel for the gas stove, water for the washing machine is heated by the district heating system, and heat output from refrigerators and other electrical goods is captured and piped to a place where it keeps occupants warm on a chilly night. In mega-cities where space is tight, we see how individual needs can be served by shared appliances, like on-demand laundry services and compartment freezers for apartment buildings—resource savers that consume a fraction of the energy of today’s solutions.

At Electrolux, we see sustainable design’s future as a culmination of the visual and interactive experience one enjoys when using a product, whilst simultaneously allowing us to make a change for the better. In the age of the conversation, designers are now better placed than ever to take this forward in tandem with consumers.
One particular conversation is also to be had with the suppliers of raw materials. Our foremost challenge in a world where population and economies are growing exponentially is to continually reduce the impacts of our products while guiding the consumer on how to make further sustainability choices.

In a push to Electrolux suppliers, we have highlighted the shortage of quality recycled plastic that can be used to manufacture products, whilst concurrently showing our concern with the amount of plastic that pollutes the environment. This is illustrated by our Vac to the Sea campaign which has seen Electrolux use plastic waste in the production of vacuum cleaners. Surely there is a permanent bridge that can be built to banish such discrepancies. Watch the Vac from Sea Video at Despoke TV

JAMIE ANLEY FROM JAM INTERVIEWS GIOVANNA FORTE AND HAS A LUCKY DIP INTO THE CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE LOTS FROM THE SHOREDITCH BALL AUCTION WITH SOTHEBY’S, 15TH OCTOBER 2010 AT SHOREDITCH TOWN HALL

The Shoreditch Ball launched last year – how was it for you?

It was extraordinary. We seemed to attract everyone who was anyone together with everybody else. We had a true cross section of people from Shoreditch and beyond (yes, a few people came from Out West …). They all piled in and had an incredibly good time. The Blockheads blew our sound system at one point, but Phil Jupitus just kept going and no-one seemed to mind. The Sex Drugs and Rock & Roll took on a life of its own. This year we’ve gone a bit retro with jazz and swing, camped up with Jonny Woo and Pam Hogg. It’s all fairly “of the moment” as a two-fingers to austerity.

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As the Creative Directors for 100% Design, we have for the second year opened the doors to inspiring features and installations that will populate the central boulevard. Here is something to whet the appetite, a few features we look forward to seeing next month.

Tom Cecil – A Bright Spark
By Gemma Lewis, JAM

From his studio in East London, Tom Cecil explores his fascination of all things technically challenging and process-driven – he’s one of those likeable geeks who loves to get his hands dirty. Tom’s previous life in Engineering sort of explains this infatuation; from experimenting with underwater microphones, to growing his own ice, Tom dabbles with anything and everything that intrigues and challenges him.

After winning the Hidden Art competition earlier this year, a brief that was set by 100% Design, he has been given the chance to show his latest installation ‘Field of Lights’ on the central Boulevard of the show next month. The suspended structure, made up of over two hundred motion sensitive LED lights, was designed in collaboration with ML Electronics. It will be suspended just above head height to create patterns of light that follow people as they move around the space below. With an assortment of Tom’s work over the past 2 years being exhibited underneath, it’s a clever way for him to record and display how people react and move around the work. Clever indeed.

Print Tuft and Fold Make a Splash
By Gemma Lewis, JAM

This quirky design collective is made up of Chelsea College of Art alumni; Zoe Beck (Print), Claire Alderdice (Tuft) & Kim Bassett (Fold). The Trio met in 2005 whilst studying MA’s at London’s most bohemian art school, and after spending all their cash travelling and then struggling to afford exhibition prices, Print Tuft and Fold was born. “We each bring different strengths to the table, and this has really helped the brand evolve”.

They aren’t bashful when it comes to their application of colour, so when we invited them to create a bold feature in line with this year’s show colours, they jumped at the chance. They will be producing 18 seating cubes of various sizes, using their three contrasting approaches to deliver a mixture of kaleidoscopic inspired carpet cubes, city inspired digitally printed cubes, and delicately pleated fabric cubes. Right at the threshold of the show, it will create a great meeting point and is sure to be a hit when those legs get weary!
You’ll also find the girls brightening up 100% Futures this year.

printtuftandfold.com/

Testing us – The Decorators
By Gemma Lewis, JAM
Fresh from Central St.Martin’s, it hasn’t taken long for this group of creatives to join forces and pursue their interests in stories, people and places. They use their experience in architecture, psychology, landscape, interior and graphic design to build experiences, generate unexpected encounters and test conventions. Using narratives to create context-specific projects, they tap into art, cultural, and community environments.

At this year’s 100% Design show, The Decorators take on the role of design psychologists, inviting visitors into their waiting room to take the % Design Psychology test. A bit tongue-in-cheek, the result will be a theatrical production line in which bags are personalised to display the results of individuals. As the printed bags begin to circulate the show, those taking part will be able to see how they fared against others who have taken the test.

The Decorators want to know how much of a designer you really are – are you ready to take the test?

Design Guild Marks 2010
By Gemma Lewis, JAM
Butcher, Baker…..Furniture maker! The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, each year, reward the work of the finest furniture designers working in volume in both Britain and further afield.

Jonathan Hindle, Chairman of the Design Guild Mark Judges explains;
“The Mark is awarded for excellence in design, use of materials, manufacture and function. The judges establish whether materials are from sustainable sources and whether the piece represents good value. Although there [are] many submissions, the judges award the Design Guild Mark to only twenty designs. Their designers and manufacturers are now able to use the Design Guild Mark Logo and The Furniture Makers Company Crest on the piece, and in their promotional literature.”

At 100% Design this year we will be displaying a selection of the pieces awarded in 2010 to show the quality and detail that is needed for this mark of excellence. Call for entries for 2011 will be on the installation, and the closing dates for applications for the 2011 Design Guild Marks is 25th February 2011.

The 2010 edition of the Electrolux Design Lab competition focuses on creative solutions for compact living. The 2010 brief asked industrial design students to consider how people will prepare and store food, wash clothes, and do dishes in the homes of 2050, when 74%* of the global population are predicted to live in an urban environment.

“With every passing year the standard of entries to the Electrolux Design Lab contest becomes stronger.” say’s Henrik Otto, SVP of Global Design at Electrolux. ”The eight finalists have made it this far on account of their ability to recognise and respond to the challenge of the brief and should be congratulated for innovative solutions that consider efficient use of domestic space”.

Global Finalists
The top 8 concepts have been chosen from designers based in eight different countries: Australia; China; USA; India, Iran Russia, France and Sweden.

September finals at 100% Design in London
Eight finalists will be invited to present their concept to a jury of expert designers on 23rd September at 100% Design. The jury will consider entries based on intuitive design, innovation and consumer insight when awarding the first prize of a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design centre and 5,000 Euros. A second prize of 3,000 Euros and third prize of 2,000 Euros are also on offer.

The eight finalists can be seen below

1: The Kitchen Hideaway, Daniel Dobrogorsky, Australia
The Kitchen Hideaway is a virtual reality concept that allows the inhabitants of a communal building to imagine being in a kitchen, preparing a particular meal rather than having to actually do this for themselves. The thoughts of the user are then transmitted to robotic chefs within the building who then prepare the visualised meal in a real kitchen and with real ingredients. In effect, the headset replaces the need for kitchen appliances in individual dwellings, saving space through creative thinking.

2: The Snail, Peter Alwin, India – Micro Induction Heating
The Snail is a portable heating and cooking device based on magnetic induction processes. Such is the size and versatility of the Snail, it can be stuck directly on to a pot, a pan, a mug etc. to heat the contents.This reduces the amount of space required for conventional cooking whilst adding portability to the process. Powered by a high density sugar crystal battery, the Snail converts the energy from the sugar, heating up a coil to conduct the magnetic induction process to the utensil. Integrated sensors detect the food type being heated so as to automatically adjust the time and temperature. A simple touch sensitive display with interface helps to monitor the process.

3: Elements Modular Kitchen, Matthew Gilbride, USA – All-In-One Kitchen Shelving
Mathew Gilbride’s modular, wall-mounted appliance provides flexible modes of cooking, refrigeration, air conditioning, lighting, and environmental design whilst reducing space. The appliance draws power wirelessly through technology applied to the wall, which is supplemented through solar energy as required. Multiple units and surfaces automatically work together through wireless smart networking, whilst customisation is offered by being able to install the units as the user prefers.

4: Bio Robot Refrigerator, Yuriy Dmitriev, Russia – Cool, Green, Food Preservation
Four times smaller than a conventional refrigerator, the Bio Robot cools biopolymer gel through luminescence. Rather than shelves, the non sticky, odourless gel morphs around products to create a separate pod that suspends items for easy access. Without doors, draws and a motor 90% of the appliance is solely given over to its intended purpose. At the same time, all food, drink and cooled products are readily available, odours are contained, and items are kept individually at their optimal temperature by bio robots. The fridge is adaptable – it can be hung vertically, horizontally, and even on the ceiling. Different sizes and dimensions allow it to perfectly fit the accordant dwelling.

5: Clean Closet, Michael Edenius, Sweden – All in One Laundry Concept
The Clean Closet is essentially just that – a closet that cleans clothing. Textiles are scanned for impurities and cleaned accordingly with molecular technology that removes dirt and odours. The concept replaces the laundry basket, the wash­ing machine, and drying cabinet to save space and, as no water is used in the process, is kinder to the environment.

6: Dismount Washer, Lichen Guo, China – Wash & Go Laundry
Lichen Guo identifies the conventional washing machine as an unnecessary occupier of space. The Dismount Washer addresses this by combining the cleaning vessel and laundry basket in one. The dirty laundry capsule is placed on a wall mountable motor (or ‘energy stick’) which takes up very little space. The energy stick also dispenses steam to aid the cleansing process.

7: External Refrigerator, Nicolas Hubert, France – External Cooling
Two years in China provided the inspiration for Nicolas Hubert’s external refrigerator. Fixed directly on the outside wall of residential buildings, the concept is an elaboration on a way of life in northern China where food is kept on balconies in the winter to save space and energy. During cold seasons and at night, the low external temperatures are used to provide the right climate for items in the fridge. During warmer weather, the sun is used to transform light into energy through solar panels. Nicolas reflects Electrolux design values: the shape and finish are kept pure and simple so as to ensure easy integration with the external urban environment, whilst a range of colours and ambient lighting facilitate this further still.

8: Eco Cleaner, Ahi Andy Mohsen, Iran – the Portable, Compact Dishwasher
The Eco Cleaner is a portable dishwasher and composter that uses ultrasonic waves to ionise food and turn it in to reusable waste. Ahi Andy Mohsen’s concept is designed for use within the increasing numbers of single households and specifically meeting dual predictions: that future food will be supplied in capsule form (thus reducing the required size of vessels to prepare and eat from); and that there will be reduced time for household chores. The Eco Cleaner is simultaneously green and space efficient.

Despoke caught up with Renee Labbe Vice President, Global Trends at Stylesight we managed to ask her a few questions about the changing face of global trend research.

Simple Question to start with, what does a VP of Global Trends do?
Simple answer – I manage a team of Trend Directors around the globe who facilitate customized trend direction for some of Stylesight’s clientele.

How has the web changed the business of Trends Research?
The web has become a platform to review and discuss trends faster than ever before, and it has offered a forum for new influencers and tastemakers – bloggers like Scott Schuman or Tavi Gevinson. For Stylesight, the web is a means with which to provide our clients with not just timely and insightful trend content, but also designer tools that help to reduce product development time.

Can trends truly be Global? Isn’t everyone different?
Global trends usually have regional variations. How trends are interpreted regionally is related to the wants and needs of the culture.

Does a great Creative Director really need Research? Isn’t their vision the most important thing?
A Creative Director is great because they have honed their research skills to be partially instinctual. Their vision for their specific brand is the most important thing, certainly, but it is curated from the way in which they interpret and utilize trends and influential factors.

When does a ‘movement’ become a trend?
There is no exact answer, as a movement and a trend can be one and the same. Trends are hard to define by any one set of parameters, and can exist in small regions for short periods of time or large regions for long periods of time. In its most ambiguous state, a trend is a general direction, such as military or bohemian.

How do trends happen?
There is no one path for the formation of a trend. Trends come from runway, from artists and icons, from changes in technology and consumer demands.

Why did you choose Stylesight?
Honestly, I chose Stylesight because I was enamored with the product, its potential for exponential growth into all areas of design, and the complete dedication to quality content and customer service that resonate across practically every employee and manager. It’s an inspiring place to work.

What kind of companies do you provide trend research to?
Apparel and accessories retailers and manufacturers, department stores, suppliers, interior designers, cosmetics companies, active and street brands, tech brands, automotive companies, and more.

What changes in global trend research /technology are you looking forward to?
Every day at Stylesight, the ease with which our clients will receive, digest, utilize and disseminate information is continuously getting increasingly easier. The rest is confidential, but I’m looking forward to all of it.

If in doubt always choose black?
If in doubt always choose style over fashion.

Find out more about Stylesight

Renee Labbe Bio
As Vice President of Global Trends, Renee Labbe leverages her wealth of experience to assure Stylesight subscribers realize the extraordinary quantity of trend information available at their fingertips. Renee develops Stylesight’s global trend series, which helps clients better understand and interpret the company’s trend forecasts via on-site seminars, trade show presentations, and global webinars. She also works to ensure that subscribers get an in-depth view of trend evolution, from broadest consumer zeitgeist to the finest design detail.
Renee has over 11 years of experience in the apparel and trend forecasting industries. Prior to joining Stylesight, she was the Canadian and West Coast U.S. Director for Promostyl, where she led a team of trend consultants and was responsible for developing the regional direction of evolving global trends. Renee has appeared as a keynote speaker at many industry events and trade shows, including Premiere Vision, the LA Textile Show, IIDEX/Neocon Canada, Outdoor Retailer, and SIA.

Image:Trees, by John Walsh Winner Triflow Future Talents 2009
Launched in 2009, Triflow Future Talents is a competition which aims to encourage young designers to design a new kitchen or bathroom product.

As manufacturer of the first three way tap which delivers hot, cold and purified water through a dedicated tube in the same spout, we value innovative engineering design. The Triflow Future Talents competition is an opportunity to build upon our own expertise and support emerging design talent.
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Image Caption: Daniel Rybakken’s daylight project in Stockholm. © Daniel Rybakken
Previously overshadowed by its Nordic neighbours, Norway is slowly turning itself into a buzzing design nation where homegrown talent is springing up with an increasingly rapid speed. Here are a few names set to have an impact in the next few years…

Although Norway has produced several successful designers in the past decades (Peter Opsvik, Hans Brattrud and Olav Eldøy to name a few), the majority of its designers have not enjoyed the red carpets and glowing limelight that other Scandinavian design supermodels have.

However, the international success of design trio Norway Says, set up a decade ago by Espen Voll, Torbjørn Anderssen and Espen Voll, has paved way for a new generation of young designers. Recent years have seen rising stars StokkeAustad, Frost Produkt and Tveit&Tornøe making an impact on both the international and domestic design scene, and now there are scores of new designers following in their footsteps, hungry for challenges and recognition. A few names to make a note of, include:

Vibeke Skar

Image Caption: Industrial Impact, Arctic Collection by Vibeke Skar and Jens Praet. Photo: Peder Torget

Not many had heard of Oslo-born Vibeke Skar until she exhibited in Milan Design Weeks’ new district Ventura Lambrate this past April. Her series of tables in corian, designed together with Belgian Jens Praet, was an instant hit. The series, based on the theme of industrial impact and inspired by the melting glaciers of the Arctic, aims to be a reflection on the industrial revolution’s major after-effect, global warming. “We’re trying to get people’s attention by creating everyday objects with a subtle environmental message,” says Skar.

Skar, who studied design in Florence, Italy, before completing a masters degree at Oslo’s School of Architecture and Design, says she has always had a passion for creating things; “It started with an interest for fashion and clothes that developed into a wish of making products.” After working for Frost Produkt in Oslo, Skar has now set up her own studio and finds her inspiration in Norwegian traditional patterns, nature and fairytales. www.vibekeskar.com

Daniel Rybakken

A lighting designer with a difference, the much praised Daniel Rybakken attempts to replicate the feeling of natural, direct sunshine through his products. Especially relevant in a country such as Norway where short daylight hours in winter can be problematic for many people, the products could also be used by those suffering from Seasonally Adjusted Depression (SAD).

Rybakken studied at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design and the School of Design and at the HDK School of Design and Craft at Gothenburg University before completing an internship with Norway Says in 2007. He now lives in Sweden, and will be exhibiting at both 100% Norway and Norwegian Prototypes in London this September. www.danielrybakken.com

Hallgeir Homstvedt

Image Caption:Hallgeir Homstvedt with his OHH mirror bowls

“I am fascinated by the simple beauty of mirrors and how they reflect our reality,” says 32-year-old product and furniture designer Hallgeir Homstvedt. “When we look into a mirror we expect to see a picture of this “truth” looking back at us.” At this year’s 100% Norway exhibition during London Design Festival, Homstvedt will show brand new versions of his OHH mirror bowls, which questions this truth by reflecting another colour than seen on the bowls’ inside frame at first glance.

Homstvedt is based in Oslo and after completing his degree in 2006 he worked at the design studio of Norway Says for three years. During this period Homstvedt specialised in 3D modeling and computer renderings, and was involved in projects ranging from upholstered furniture, domestic/public lighting, to bone china and consumer electronics. He has now set up his own consultancy. www.hallgeirhomstvedt.com

Amy Hunting

Image Caption: Blockshelf by Amy Hunting. Photo: Trine Stephensen

Amy Hunting, a designer and illustrator now living in London, was first picked up by the international press and design blogs after launching her Patchwork series in 2008 where she built furniture of wood waste and off-cuts collected from factories in Denmark. She later launched Blockshelf, a shelf based on a similar idea as the Patchwork series: “The dogma behind this product is probably quite obvious: what can you do with blocks of wood and cotton rope? Using a knot traditionally used for sailing and fishing, you can pull the strings and the shelf will disassemble. It can easily be put together again. The wood is collected from a local timber importers waste bin in London and consists of over 20 sorts of untreated wood. This is the first result of the rope and wood experiments.”

After studying furniture design at Denmark’s Design School in Copenhagen, Hunting subsequently joined Established & Sons, first as an intern and then as part of the production and product development department. She has now set up her own studio in East London from where she’s masterminding the exhibition Norwegian Prototypes which will feature 12 designers and take place in Shoreditch during the London Design Festival. www.amyhunting.com

Petter Skogstad

Image Caption: Petter Skogstad with some of his designs.

Oslo-based designer Petter Skogstad, only 25 and a recent uni graduate, is one young Norwegian to watch. Having already wowed several big manufacturers with his concept designs at the Salone Satellite exhibition in Milan both in 2009 and this year, he was also rewarded with his own dedicated area at 100% Norway exhibition in London last year.

Skogstad’s mission statement is simple: “I want to make beautiful products to use in everyday situations.” According to design editor with Wallpaper*, Henrietta Thompson, says his products combine a Scandinavian sensibility – a clarity of concept and purity of form – with quite a Japanese approach to development, which is most likely why they seem more grown-up than student designs. www.petterskogstad.com

A few of the many other names to keep an eye out for include; Øyvind Wyller (www.oyvindwyller.no), Simen Aarseth (www.simenaarseth.com), Christoffer Angell (www.christofferangell.com), SHE (www.shedesign.no), Sarah Wright Polmar (www.sarapolmar.no), Kim Thome (www.kimthome.com) and Bjørn Blikstad (www.imeuble.no), many of whom will be exhibiting during the London Design Festival in 2010

Image:Andrew Beaumont University of Plymouth
FRONT PAGE Image:Gina Hughs

In 2010 New Designers will have been running for 25 successful years. Its longevity testifies to its success as the leading showcase of graduate design talent, presenting the work of the next generation of professional designers as they emerge from the UK’s design courses to make their impression on the creative sector.

Image:Phil Harding

DATES: PART 1: 1-4 July 2010 – Textiles; Fashion ; Accessories; contemporary Applied Arts; Ceramics ; Glass; Jewellery ; Precious Metalwork.

PART 2: 8-11 July 2010 – Product Design; Furniture; Visual Communications (including Graphic Design ; Illustration; Spatial Design.

The industry acclaimed New Designer Award and VIP Previews take place on the evenings of Wednesday 30 June and Wednesday 7 July 2010.

Image: Eugene Osborne Plymouth University
New Designers attracts the support of leading brands, commercial organisations such as Hallmark Cards Plc, and The Goldsmiths’ Company to sponsor and present awards; keen to be associated with and able to identify the brightest ideas, latest trends and hottest fresh design talent.  The event has propelled the likes of Thomas Heatherwick, Ella Doran, BarberOsgerby and Frederickson Stallard into the design sector spotlight. These alumni remain staunch supporters for New Designers.

Such is the show’s importance and prestige within design education, it is continually oversubscribed, with a strong mix of existing and new colleges taking part. The Visual Communications zone has been increased in size for 2010 and includes an expanded college list showing animation and illustration.

Looking forward to New Designers 2010, the show’s director Isobel Dennis comments, “New Designers is the freshest and most vibrant show of its kind bringing together the very best in UK graduates design, showcasing the work, energy and talent of the next generation of designers.  In this economic climate, young designers are not property for anyone wishing to bring fresh blood into their businesses.  Their creativity and transferable skills are crucial.  New Designers’ committed and forward thinking supporters recognise and value their association with an event that continues to introduce creative and smart thinking talent into the workplace.”

New Designers 2010 1-4 ; 8-11 July at the Business Design Centre, Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0QH

To Celebrate New Designers 25th Year we have a special Ticket offer ;

SAVE 25% on Ticket prices just Book now phoning 08448480139 or
Book online www.newdesigners.com remember to please quote ND158

New Designers takes place at the Business Design Centre, London, N1 OQH. Nearest tube Angel.

www.newdesigners.co.uk is a portal to a wealth of design talent in every design discipline. The website features individual designers and design businesses who launched their careers at New Designers. Designers’ work is available to purchase direct or to commission for bespoke projects.