Achieving aptness was the common element among the winners in Appliance Design’s 18th Annual Excellence in Design competition. The entries that excelled in this year’s contest were described by the judges as being “appropriate.” By that, they meant that the materials selected were fitting, the forms conveyed their purpose, the end users were taken into consideration, and the products were innovative in addition to being attractive.

Judging of the entries was performed by an independent panel of three industrial design experts. Evaluation of the entries was based on three criteria: appearance, human factors and innovation. A point scale was used to rank the designs for purposes of determining winners and runners-up within a category and for naming the Best Overall. Designs were scored for of the three criteria with a 1-5 point scale, allowing a maximum of 15 points per judge and a maximum possible score of 45 points.

However, rank did not guarantee a victory, as judges had the authority to declare “no winner,” “no runner up,” or both, if they felt that ranked entries in a category were not strong enough to deserve the title. The judges exercised that option in a number of cases. For example, the categories of Commercial Appliances/Vending Machines and Portable Power Tools produced neither winners nor runners up. Five other categories that yielded winners, lacked runners-up.

Best Overall: Medical Appliances/Laboratory Equipment

Straightshot M4 Microdebrider by Medtronic Xomed, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn. and its industrial design firm, Metaphase Design Group, St. Louis, Mo.

The Straightshot M4 is a microdebrider — a surgical handpiece used by ear, nose and throat surgeons as a cutting tool for the removal of tissue such as polyps during nasal sinus surgery. Its design reflects several advancements over existing product offerings, including state-of-the-art aesthetic styling, precision handling and grip control.

The Straightshot M4 brings three “firsts” to the market: it is the only microdebrider that rotates just at the tip of the cutting blade; it uses a precision finger wheel control to rotate the “cutting window”; and flexible silicone material in the primary grip area of the handpiece helps stabilize the instrument in the hand for more precise control.

“The designers of the product really did their research,” said judge Chris Gilbert. “I’m surprised that nobody has used a finger wheel control for this product before.” Gilbert also said the winning entry “really leveraged materials,” noting that the materials were critical to the design of this product, reducing weight and size, and fitting the hand.

The finger wheel represents a marked improvement over dials used to rotate straight tips on some devices. Because the wheel requires just a single finger to start blade rotation, it is much less awkward and requires fewer changes in surgeons’ grip postures during surgery.

Key project players from Metaphase: Bryce G. Rutter, founder and CEO; Brian Bone, director of ergonomics; Jeff Feng, industrial designer; Heath Doty, industrial designer.

COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS/COMMUICATIONS

S700 Series Phone by Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Designed with the occasional photographer in mind, the S700 series of mobile phones combine form and function with a 180 degree swivel-opening design. The challenge was to insert a quality 1.3 mega pixel digital camera into a swivel action mobile phone.

Horizontally, it’s a camera, vertically, it’s a mini-organizer, phone, gaming and messaging device. Judge Robert DeFelice said that besides looking executive, the symbols are actually easier to read placed on black buttons.

Key project players from Sony Ericsson: Minoru Shimizu, lead industrial designer, Sony Digital Design Center in Tokyo.

FLOOR CARE

Roomba Discovery Floorvac by iRobot, Burlington, Mass. and its industrial design firm, Herbst LaZar Bell, Inc., Chicago.

In 2002, iRobot introduced the Roomba, a vacuuming robot. The company sought to develop a more sophisticated next-generation product that was smarter, more effective and easier to use. The result was the Roomba Discovery, with key features including the Dirt Detect feature, which alerts the robot to spend more time cleaning dirty areas, and the Home Base, a self-charging station that the vacuum will return to when it needs a charge or is finished cleaning.

The soft, radiused disc gives the impression that it won’t damage furniture or walls. The slim profile, which judge Robert DeFelice called, “Sleek, modern and compact,” allows the Roomba to get into tough spots. The white and silver palette suggests a clean appliance.

Key project players from Herbst LaZar Bell: Joey Nakayama and Dave Chesley. From iRobot: Paul Sandin.

HVAC EQUIPMENT

Dyna-Glo Delux 120,000 BTU kerosene heater by CFM Home Products, Mississauga, Ontario and its industrial design firm, Cesaroni Design Associates, Inc., Glenview, Ill.

Who says a kerosene heater can’t be attractive? A practical source of heat for construction sites, garages, barns and more, the challenge to the designers was to create an aesthetically unique unit, moving away from the traditional hard edges and utilitarian look of previous models.

For durability and aesthetic flexibility, a blow-molded tank was chosen for the design. A plastic top cover was added to visually unify the tank and heat tube. An ergonomic handle was added to the unit. Plastic made the product lightweight, and the control panels are higher and angled for better viewing when standing.

“The design is consistent and clean,” said judge Rob Curedale. “It stands out from the competition.”

Key project players from Cesaroni Design Associates: Robert Glenn, senior project manager and Christian Castro, industrial design.

LAWN/GARDEN OUTDOOR APPLIANCES

PW1600 electric pressure washer by Black & Decker, Towson, Md.

The PW1600 is a compact unit with ample accessory storage, a low center of gravity for balance and convenient cord/hose management. The key needs for the product was storage integrated into the unit, with market-leading power and easy-to-understand features. The designers wanted to make the pressure washer as non-intimidating as possible, combing soft curves and generous radii to meet this goal.

“It’s rugged, colorful and fun with convenient handles and easy access,” says Robert DeFelice.

The self-maintaining pump-motor is the heart of the product, and requires no service for the life of the product. In the event of a premature failure, the housings have been designed to release the pump-motor in a simple process.

Key project players from Black & Decker: G. Scott Snider, industrial designer and Rachel Lombardo, product manager (U.S.); David Wheeler, project manager (Canada). From Sumec (contract manufacturer, China): Bai Jingzhao, manufacturing manager.

LEISURE APPLIANCES

Etherwave Pro by Moog Music, Inc., Asheville, N.C. and its industrial design firm, Sandbox Industrial Design, Seattle.

Moog Music wanted to capture the professional thereminist market and visually redesign the theremin, a unique, electronic musical instrument that is played without being touched. The challenge was to create striking aesthetic that could be produced with low-volume, metal-turning and wood-cabinet production techniques. With a traditional horizontal configuration and an extended antenna arm, these innovations create a dynamic aesthetic, increasing performer visibility while eliminating cable “spaghetti.” The maple face and nickel-plated antenna hardware blend handmade craftsmanship, contemporary form and technology. The curved-front face sweeps away from the musician to receive greater arm movement.

“It’s a nice juxtaposition of materials,” said judge Chris Gilbert. “It looks lyrical. Plus, it can be configured to work for right or left-handed users.”

Key project players from Sandbox Industrial Design: Brian Heidsiek, industrial design and program management, and Kevin Clay, industrial design and 3-D CAD. From Moog Music: Bob Moog, founder and chief technical kahuna; Mike Adams, president; and Steve Dunnington, product manager. Professional thereminist: Pamelia Kurstin.

MAJOR HOME APPLIANCES

ICON convection wall oven by Electrolux Home Products, Augusta, Ga.

Realizing that the kitchen is central to maximizing the efficiency and comfort of daily activities, while at the same time serving as an expression of the owner’s artistic vision and design sensibilities, Electrolux created the ICON line of kitchen appliances, which includes a convection wall oven.

One of the issues in creating this product was that the look of stainless steel is popular and desirable, but the fingerprints and smudging make it difficult to keep clean. The ICON was made with a Smudge-Resistant stainless steel exterior for low maintenance. Other innovations include Cool-Touch, which keeps the oven door at 120 degrees F, 45 degrees below the industry standard; strategically placed halogen bulbs that give a more accurate view of the food; and a third cooking element and convection fan for more even heat distribution.

Rob Curedale said the ICON has clean, consistent forms and high-perceived quality. Robert DeFelice called it “elegant, 21st century.”

Key project players from Electrolux: John Constantine, product line manager; Bob Martin, director of industrial design; Chuck Baker, industrial design; Kent Crookshank, industrial design; Victor Cascianelli, industrial design; Tom Thompson, engineering; Bob Turnbull, engineering; Rick Gunderson, engineering; Ed Young, quality; Aaron Griffith, engineering; and Mike Truitt, engineering.

PERIPHERALS/ACCESSORIES

PureAV home theater power conditioner line by Belkin Corp., Compton, Calif.

Belkin needed an entire line of power conditioners that could be wall, cabinet or floor mounted and would work as an integral part of a home theater. The solution began with a long, slim unit design, which fit easily into tight spaces. The clean extruded aluminum forms not only create a strong housing, but they also give the units a strong family look that is scaleable for different size models. The design was intended to scream performance while making the product approachable. Rob Curedale believes Belkin reached its objective. “It has a technical appearance, yet its friendly.” Chris Gilbert agrees noting that it’s too bad the product is usually hidden from view.

Key project players from Belkin: Mitchell Suckle, Sr., industrial designer; Ernesto Quinteros, design director; David Goetz, industrial designer; Vijendra Nalwad, mechanical engineering manager; and John Hoppe, 3D lab manager.

PORTABLE APPLIANCES/PERSONAL CARE

Smoothie Maker and Popcorn Popper by Disney Consumer Products, Burbank, Calif. and its industrial design firm, Boombang, Los Angeles, Calif.

Both of these products made it into the winning category. The judges felt that both products had the same innovative design and safety features. Rob Curedale said of the form, “The cartoon-like form stands out in the market.”

A new category within the Disney product line called “Fun with Food” was the catalyst for creating the Smoothie Maker and Popcorn Popper. The design challenge was to create an appliance that was safe to use, even though an engine with chopping blades or a heating element was involved. The solution was to create a safety-lock lid for the Smoothie Maker that would disable the motor until the lid was in place. For the Popcorn Popper, the lid was designed as a popcorn bowl. The handles and lid are turned upside-down in unison (once the popcorn has stopped popping), and the heating element releases so that the consumer never comes in contact with the heating element.

Curedale remarks on the products’ aesthetics: “I really like the stance and attitude of the product. It’s fun…perfect for its targeted market.”

Key project players from Boombang: Matt Paprocki, founder and team leader; and Taylor Garland. From Back to Basics (manufacturer): Brian Beesley.

TEST, MEASUREMENT, INSPECTION EQUIPMENT

SRX-1000 surface reader by Authentix, Addison, Tex. and its industrial design firm Ignition, Inc., Plano, Tex.

The self-contained, hand-held surface spectrometer was designed to accurately and reliably verify authenticity of products coded with Authentix’s covert and overt security markers.

“It looks simple to use,” said Chris Gilbert. “It’s intuitive, and looks like it really fits in the hand.’

The design is small and lightweight with a comfortable, curved ergonomic slope, which is ideal for repeated daily use. Dark colors were chosen to mask the normal wear and tear of use in the field. It can be manipulated by either a left-handed or right-handed user.

Key project players: The Ignition product development team and the Authentix product development team.

WATER PROCESSING

Tami4 Water Bar by Tana Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel and its industrial design firm, NewDealDesign, LLC, San Francisco, Calif.

Tana packaged its pressurized, carbon-filter technology as a self-contained appliance that made its use convenient, practical and enjoyable. The design in compact and adapted for the countertop.

The challenge was to make a sleek package to win over people skeptical of the tap water supply’s taste and cleanliness. To solve this puzzle, the unit was made with a spout height set to include both a single teacup and a full-size pitcher. A concave top was incorporated to provide additional storage for cups or glasses. The overall form suggests a water drop, which Chris Gilbert refers to as a “friendly form.”

The interface is straightforward, making its used as easy as turning on the tap. The control panel indicates the water temperature being served.

Key project players from NewDealDesign: Gadi Amit, Mike Massucco, Erin Delorefice, Yoshi Hoshino and Josh Morenstin, design team. From Nekuda Design Management, Tel Aviv, Israel: Avner Sadot, principal; Israel Heifetz, principal; Yoav Dracher, component design; Uri Wolf, product design engineer; Andres Wainstein, product design engineer; and Uzi Naven, product design engineer.