From toothbrushes to towel racks to transit vehicles, we often live with inefficiency, inconvenience, and downright discomfort simply because we accept dated and subpar designs as a part of the daily grind. It's time to put your foot down.
Dwell is pleased to announce "Innovate It!" sponsored by the all-new Volkswagen CC. Our spring 2009 design contest and competition are set up in two phases. First, send in suggestions for everyday objects that you think need a rework. Either they don't function well, are poorly designed or are just downright useless for the task they were designed to perform. Dwell editors will choose the items for redesign. Then the competition phase launches where you are invited to submit design proposals for recreating one (or all) of the three most tragically troublesome objects. You may participate in one or both phases of this contest and there is no limit to the number of entries.
Eligibility
The Contest is open to competitors who are at least 18 years of age.
11 February - 31 March 2009
Phase I: Submit Your Product
The Dwell community is invited to submit suggestions for everyday objects that need re-imagining. Dwell editors will vet the submissions and choose the three best ideas. The people who entered the winning submissions will receive credit on the Dwell.com blog and a free ticket to Dwell on Design Los Angeles, June 26-28, 2009.
- Item name
- Image or drawing of item
- 100 word explanation of why it does not function well in its current state
- 100 word explanation of how you would like to see it improved
Phase II: Submit Your Designs
The Dwell Community is invited to participate in the competition, in which you may submit design proposals for redesigning one (or all) of the three chosen selections. The Dwell editors and select experts will jury the competition. The 3 winners will receive a cash prize from Volkswagen CC and VIP tickets to Dwell on Design Los Angeles, June 26-28, 2009.
- 3 images of redesign including front, back, side
- 500 word explanation of how it meets the criteria above and improves upon the old design
- Give the redesigned product a new name that suits its improved state
Visualize your ideas in 3D. Create a model of your redesign using Google SketchUp, 3D modeling software that is easy to learn and fun to use.
Competition Notes
- No formal training or design expertise necessary.
- Design submissions may be illustrated or rendered in any format - hand sketches, digital drawings, or renderings - rendering tool used will not affect judging process.
- Designers may submit more than 1 entry for each option.
Entry Periods
The entry period for Phase 1 of the Contest begins at 06:00 EST on February 11, 2009, and ends at 11:00 EDT on March 31, 2009 ("Phase 1 Entry Period"). The entry period for Phase 2 of the Contest begins at 6:00 a.m. EDT on April 5, 2009, and ends at 11 p.m. EDT on June 10, 2009 ("Phase 2 Entry Period"). Entries received before or after the applicable Entry Period will not be considered unless an early entry is resubmitted during the Entry Period.
Prizes
Each winner in each phase will receive a free pass to the Dwell on Design Conference and Exhibition to be held in Los Angeles, California, on June 26 to 28, 2009. In addition, each winner of Phase 2 will win a 1.000 Dollars cash prize. Three prizes will be awarded for Phase 1 and three prizes will be awarded for Phase 2. Each winner must provide their own transportation to and lodging in Los Angeles to attend DOD.
Contest Details
Phase 1 entrants will submit suggestions of every day objects that need re-imagining. The objects must be widely used and relatively well-known. Entries will be judged by a panel of Dwell editors, who will select what they believe to be the three most intriguing ideas for objects needing re-innovation. The three winning entries of Phase 1 will be posted on www.dwell.com on or about April 3, 2009, and the three winning entrants will each receive a free pass to the Dwell on Design© Conference and Exhibition ("DOD") to be held June 26 - 28, 2009, in Los Angeles, California. In Phase 2, anyone wishing to redesign one or more of the objects will submit their proposed redesign(s). A panel of Dwell editors and other select judges will choose one winner for each item from the qualified entries. Judging criteria will include improvement of functionality, improvement of design aesthetic, consideration of materials, durability and sustainability. Each winner of Phase 2 will receive a free pass to DOD and a cash prize of 1.000 Dollars.
How to Enter
A complete Phase 1 entry must have all of the following elements: (1) the name of the item; (2) an image or drawing of the item; (3) a 100 word explanation of why the item does not function well in its current state; (4) a 100 word explanation of how you would like to see it improved, and (5) a completed entry form available at http://www.dwell.com/contests/submit/innovate-it.html. A complete Phase 2 entry must have all of the following elements: (1) three images of the redesign (in any format you choose), including front, back and side; (2) 500 word explanation of how the redesign meets the judging criteria described in "Contest Details" and improves upon the old design; (3) a new name for the redesigned product that suits its improved state; and (4) a completed entry form available at http://www.dwell.com/contests/submit/innovate-it.html. Incomplete entries will not be considered for judging. All images and text submitted as part of the entries may be exploited by Sponsors for marketing and other promotional purposes, and will not be returned. Entries must be submitted during the applicable Phase 1 or Phase 2 Entry Period to be considered.