Electrolux, a global leader in home appliances, announced this year’s theme for its prestigious global design competition, Design Lab. On its 13th year, Electrolux Design Lab is looking for innovative ideas under the theme Healthy Happy Kids. Receiving over 1,700 submissions from over 60 countries every year, Electrolux doubled the cash prize to €10,000 or nearly P540,000 and a six-month paid internship at Electrolux.
Lars Erikson, Senior Vice President for Design at Electrolux and Head of the Design Lab Jury, launched this year’s competition. “Electrolux Design Lab is an exciting competition that drives innovation, spurs creativity and gives us a look into the future of home appliances. It also allows us to connect and collaborate with young, talented designers from around the world who want to make a difference.”
This 2015, children are at the heart of Design Lab with the theme “Healthy Happy Kids.” “Electrolux is looking for new solutions and bold ideas that will help improve the everyday lives of families with kids,” said Erikson.
“Last year, we have proven our place in the global arena when UP Diliman’s Anna Abjelina made it to the top 70. This only shows that Filipino design students have what it takes to compete globally and be recognized by the world,” explains Andrea Pionilla, Marketing Manager of Electrolux Philippines. “This year, we look forward to receiving more fresh ideas from more design students. We are very hopeful that another Filipino will rank high or even win this prestigious competition.”
Prizes doubled in 2015
Over the years, Electrolux Design Lab has given jobs and business opportunities to a good number of its former contestants. This 2015, Electrolux will give even more to the brightest design students. First prize in this year’s competition are €10,000 or nearly P540,000 and a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design center. The second placer will win €6,000 or almost P325,000 while the third placer will get €4,000 or nearly P215,000. Lastly, this year’s People’s Choice Award recipient will be awarded €2,000 or roughly P100,000.
Online competition leading to global recognition
Design Lab seeks ideas for products, accessories, consumables and services for three home appliance categories: Food Preparation, Fabric Care and Air Purification. To join, participants should submit the following: (1) a brief of their concept; (2) a visual sketch illustrating their concept; and (3) a description of the consumer benefits of their idea. Submission of entries is from March 4 to April 8, 2015. More about the competition and brief can be found at electroluxdesignlab.com.
The best entries will be published on the Design Lab website and promoted in social networking sites. This will offer the students an opportunity to be acknowledged by a global audience. The contest will be conducted in stages to encourage engagement between the students and Electrolux. Participants will build their concepts throughout the competition. They will be required to post and share new content and write a development blog that will chronicle their progress. Most importantly, they will receive feedback from experts from Electrolux as they further develop their ideas. The winner of the Design Lab will be chosen by a jury of world renowned professionals by the end of 2015.