True, the headline sounds like the name of a too cute, upscale, boutique bakery, but some derivation of the word “create” just had to be in there. The originality found in this year’s crop of winners demanded it. Some of the products do things in an entirely new way, while others do things that simply weren’t done before. At the same time, other designers proved that there are always something new you can do to a simple box.

As technology becomes ever more complicated, pairing form with function increasingly becomes like that season of “Dancing with the Stars,” where the brute football player had to learn style, grace, and flair from a dance master. Yet, Emmitt Smith proved it could be done. So have the winners of the 20th Annual Excellence in Design Awards.

The 30 products displayed on the following pages exhibit sophisticated functionality, bold aesthetics, and a mastery of modern technology.

Entries for this year’s competition were slotted into one of seven categories. Winning entries were recognized with a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Award. The winners are not evenly distributed across categories. This was partly due to an uneven number of entries across the categories, but also because there was no predetermined number of awards established. The idea was to recognize excellent product designs, regardless of how many or few a given category produced.

An independent panel of three experts in the field of design evaluated the entries based on four criteria: aesthetics, human factors, innovation, and technical merits. Information on the judges can be found on page 24.

Electronics GOLD

The Switch Mouse from Humanscale Design Studio, New York.

The Switch Mouse is an ergonomic computer mouse that teams two new innovations — a patented V-shaped base and a scrolling navigation dish — with adjustability features to provide ergonomic comfort and safety for any computer user. The tilted angle of the Switch Mouse, created by the V-shaped bottom of the device, supports the arm at a 45-degree angle while an integrated palm support supports the entire hand. This natural, neutral position helps prevent injury, including carpal tunnel syndrome, by eliminating contact between the wrist and work surface, encouraging use of the arm muscles, and allowing the delicate hand and wrist muscles to relax. br>
Another of the Switch Mouse’s design innovations is the scrolling dish. This circular five-button dish provides navigation using much smaller increments of finger movement than traditional scrolling wheels, which put stress on finger muscles and wrist tendons, causing inflammation and fatigue. As an added benefit, the dish allows for horizontal scrolling. br>
Unique among ergonomic mouse designs, the Switch Mouse’s symmetric shape equally accommodates right- or left-handed use of the device, while Humanscale’s patented size adjustability feature enables users with virtually any hand size to mouse in comfort. br>
“The technical innovations that support this design have led to an ergonomic advancement that is simple and intuitive,” says contest judge Kenneth Krayer Jr. br>
Key project players from Humanscale Design Studio: Manuel Saez, design director; Lachezar Tsvetanov, senior designer; Maximo Diaz, senior designer.

Electronics GOLD

The iPod Alarm Clock from RadioShack, Fort Worth, Texas, and its industrial design firm Ignition, Plano, Texas.

While shaped like a traditional alarm clock, the iPod Alarm Clock provides alarm and speaker-docking functionality with a built-in self-charger — all in one unit.

The design team leveraged the fact that the icon of the circular bell-style alarm clock is instantly identifiable in American culture. The classic alarm clock styling communicates the product’s function, but it also hints at a time when setting an alarm didn’t require a 22-page instruction manual.

Two speakers are located underneath the alarm-bell forms, which helps maintain the semantic connection between the audio source on a classic alarm clock and the source on this new product.

The design includes a patent pending sliding 30-pin connector that accommodates all iPod models, including the Nano, which was released during the development phase of this product.

Steven Belz, a contest judge says: “Sheer fun. Great design synergy. The design team is to be lauded for their efforts to ensure backwards compatibility — the world would be a better place if more manufacturers incorporated this forward-thinking approach into their designs.”

Key project players from Ignition:  Bryan Hynecek; Jon Dukerschein; Dustin Brown; Chris Hunke; Chadwick Stelzl; Justin Tigner; Donn Enroth.

Major Appliances/HVAC GOLD

The Quadra Dual Temperature Water Dispenser from Billi Systems, Thomastown, Australia, and its industrial design firm Bayly Design Associates, Blackburn, Australia.

The environmentally sound and energy efficient Billi Quadra water dispenser features color-coded levers that are position-sensitive, allowing control of the flow rate of boiling water. Cast from solid metal alloy, the Quadra dispenser is designed to withstand the rigors of high-use and corrosive environments and is available in a choice of architectural finishes.

A redesign of an earlier product, the Trio, the Quadra design incorporates the growing awareness of sustainable development. The patented thermodynamic Heat-Cell allows heat generated during the chilling cycle to be absorbed, stored and reused to preheat the boiling water.

It features a 7-day energy-saving time switch that ensures the Quadra only operates when needed. An energy-saving standby mode can be selected to activate after a preset period of non-use. The hot water temperature is lowered to conserve power and at the touch of either dispenser lever, the unit will resume its normal operating mode.

“I appreciate the ability of this product to store the energy generated by the cooling process to reduce the amount of energy required to heat the water,” says Belz.

Key project players from Bayly Design Associates: Dean Del Giudice, senior designer; David Tokell, project leader; Ian Denness, senior engineer; Jo Flemming, designer. Billi Systems: Sam McKay, general manager

Major Appliances/HVAC GOLD

The Mercury Thermastone from Mercury Appliances, Lincoln, U.K., and its industrial design firm Seymourpowell, London.

The Thermastone heat-store cooker features new materials and technological innovations, and can be used year-round even in prohibitively hot climates.

As a heat-store oven, the Thermastone has the traditional four cavities, two of which are heated by an electric element and thermostat and two are heated from the residual heat generated in the process. While cast iron is the marketplace norm, the Thermastone uses silicon carbide for the two convection-heated cavities. The material is hard and has twice the heat-storage characteristics of cast iron.

The hob, or stove top as it is known in the U.S., is designed with two dual-ring gas burners and a solid surface electric hotplate.

The hob is controlled by minimalist “no-control controls” in the form of a twistable rail, just like a motorbike throttle, which Mercury has now patented. The oven is also built around a gastronorm container system, which is the industrial catering standard for serving and oven trays, which means that existing product ranges (from stainless steel trays to ceramics) are all instantly available and compatible to users of the oven.

Key project players from Seymourpowell: David Fisher, design director. Mercury Appliances: Jenny Hyatt, managing director; Mark Francis, chief engineer.

Major Appliances/HVAC GOLD

The KitchenAid® Pro Line™ Series Laundry System from Whirlpool Corp., Benton Harbor, Mich.

The KitchenAid® Pro Line™ Series Laundry System consists of a front-loading washer and dryer. Designed specifically for the KitchenAid® target consumer, the Home Enthusiast, the Pro Line™ Series washer and dryer cabinets use stainless steel in their construction.

Other innovations include: A glass touch-sensitive user interface that “walks” the consumer through the programming process; a “Built-in” installation appearance option that is similar to high-end kitchen appliances; advanced fabric care using technology that monitors and manages the care of delicate fabrics, like cashmere; and “Commercial” aesthetics.

Krayer says that “the clean lines, appropriate materials, and the sophisticated interface of this design are obviously a result of superior user research.”

Key project players from Whirlpool: Whirlpool Global Consumer Design.

Major Appliances/HVAC GOLD

The Caldera Arrow Gastop Models SST365 and SST305 from Caldera Corp., Stowe, Vt.

The Arrow Gas Cooktop with electronic touch controls was developed to bring the advantage of digital control to the gas market. The result is an 18,000 BTU burner cooktop with exacting temperature controls, using 21 flame settings, including eight simmer settings with a range down to 168 BTU’s.

Three microprocessors work together to help ensure user safety. The five-burner design is offered in 30-in. and 36-in. stainless steel models with a black, tempered-glass control panel.

Precise flame settings are achieved with electronic controls using CompuValve’s newly patented valve technology. This technology allows the gas valve, controlled by a microprocessor, to modulate the flow of gas and to also turn the flow of gas on and off, thus allowing for an electronically controlled simmer-cycling system.

The Gastops use hot-surface igniters for quiet ignition. 

Belz says that while “18,000 BTU`s is impressive, those who take their cooking seriously will find the ability to drop to 168 BTUs even more so.”

Key project players from Caldera Corp: Alan B. Shute, director of research and development; Suzanne Shute, art director; Allen Olson, lead engineer; Peter Rogers. electronic engineer. CompuValve:  Christa Shute. Norton/St. Gobain: Tom Chodacki. Tytronics Corp.: Steve Thornton; Sabaf S.p.A.: Luca Gorini; Global EE: Pierre Repper.

Major Appliances/HVAC GOLD

The Thermador Freedom Collection from BSH Home Appliances, Huntington Beach, Calif.

The Thermador Freedom Collection features fully integrated and Truly Flush Mounted modular refrigeration columns that can be placed anywhere in the kitchen.

Rather than designing around refrigerator-freezer combinations, consumers can choose the number and types of columns they need, depending upon storage needs and space constraints. They also have full flexibility in the placement of these columns and could, for example, place a fresh food column adjacent to the sink for convenient access to fruits and vegetables, while a freezer column could be placed on the opposite side of the kitchen, right next to the oven, for thawing and cooking. The collection is available in a variety of widths and types.

Another feature is the exclusive motorized Liberty Shelf, which moves a fully loaded shelf of up to 22 lbs. with the touch of a button, so that consumers no longer have to unload a shelf to gain extra interior space.

“A design well-considered,” says Belz. “As kitchens become an increasingly popular gathering place for informal entertaining, it is refreshing to see products that reduce the visual dominance held by the ‘one-size fits all’ refrigerator.”

Key project players from BSH Home Appliances: Matthew Ricket, IDSA, Senior Industrial Designer-Industrial Design : Joachim Gruetzke- Director of Industrial Design; Graham Sadtler, IDSA- Industrial Designer; Jonathan Grey, IDSA- Industrial Designer; Luke Jenkins, IDSA- Industrial Designer.

Medical/Test & Measurement Equipment GOLD

The Infrascanner from Infrascan Inc., Philadelphia, and its industrial design firm Bresslergroup, Philadelphia.

The Infrascanner is the first non-invasive handheld brain hematoma detector. The mobile medical imaging system can be used in many settings allowing patients to be diagnosed and triaged at the scene. 

Medical personnel can operate the Infrascanner with little or no prior instruction. The scanner is especially valuable in the field, as treatment within the first “golden hour” is critical. It allows the medical personnel to precisely locate the hematoma.

A primary challenge that the designers faced was in understanding the different environments of use and creating a form that was universally usable. Operators have to take readings at eight sites on the head regardless of patient position.

Contest judge, Amy Potts called the Infrascanner “a beautiful solution for a real need.” Belz calls the product “game changing.” “This product’s technical merits alone are worthy of a considerable praise. That the product’s design reflects the characteristics of the environment in which it will be used and the people who will use it without compromising technical capability is utterly impressive.”

Key project players from Infrascan: Baruch Ben Dor, president and CEO; David L. Solt, vice president of research and development; Hasan Ayaz, software engineer. Bresslergroup: Peter Bressler, principal; Mathieu Turpault, senior industrial designer; Seth GaleWyrick, mechanical engineer; Velissa Van Scoyoc, industrial designer.

Medical/Test & Measurement Equipment GOLD

The TCX1000 from Authentix, Addison, Texas.

To safeguard the supply of pharmaceutical drugs to consumers, Authentix has developed the TCX1000 Through Cap Reader. It can authenticate pharmaceutical bottles through the caps and anti-tamper foil lining. A pharmacist uses the high-speed authentication device to check the authenticity of the product, without having to void the bottle’s security seals.

The TCX1000 determines if the protective foil has been tampered with while also detecting, classifying and validating the presence of a number of unique forensic level security features. The device contains a rotating head capable of holding a range of bottle sizes during the authentication process. During the process, a high power infrared laser safely probes through a single bottle cap and authenticates the security foil sealing the bottle. If the security features on the foil are authentic, the bottle is validated; if not, it is noted as a potential counterfeit.

Because pharmacy personnel operate the TXC1000, simplicity of use was a major design consideration. The unit has no buttons to push. The user places the bottle into the device and the process initiates and assesses the authenticity of the cap.

Key project players from Authentix: Dr. Paul John Cronin, director of Opto-Electronics; Chester Wildey, principle engineer; Amber Ansari, software engineer; Patrick Kendal, electrical technician; Jeremy Horvath, electrical technician.

Small Appliances GOLD

Sequiam BioVault 2.0 from Sequiam Corp., Orlando, Fla., and its industrial design firm Helix Design Inc., Manchester, N.H.

The BioVault 2.0 uses fingerprint technology to protect valued assets. Its shape and low-profile doors allow it to be stored under a bed, in a closet or the trunk of a car. BioVault 2.0 is the only biometric safe with a National Rifle Association endorsement.

The signature element is a quick-release spring-loaded door that provides fast access to the contents. The doors offer unimpeded access to the contents as they hinge and slide into the main housing.

The wall mount bracket was developed to be easy to attach to the wall while providing quick-release locking to the vault. With the vault open, the user can easily trigger the mount lock release. Also, scoops along the perimeter and a recessed handle on the back aid with portability.

Belz says that the product can address two important and often conflicting needs, security and accessibility. “Integrating biometrics to control access is hardly unique,” he says, “but designing such an integration in a manner that takes into account how the device will be used sets this device apart from its peers.”

Key project players from Helix Design: A. K. Stratton, director of product development; Erik L van Bergen, design project coordinator/project lead; Chris Weiler, mechanical engineer; Roy Whitson, senior designer. Sequiam Corp.: Alan McGinn, CTO. Henyue Manufacturing: Edward Chen, CEO.

Business Machines SILVER

The Fellowes Jupiter/Venus A3 Laminator from Fellowes Ltd. and industrial design firm Product Development Technologies, Great Milton, Oxford, U.K.

The Fellowes Jupiter and Venus laminators are high performance A3 laminators designed for office environments. The names Jupiter and Venus are used to differentiate between the two different user interface options. The Jupiter Laminator uses an LED display while the Venus model comes with an LCD screen.

This laminator is aimed at the serious office equipment user; it features a variety of operator functions including the option of LED (Jupiter) or LCD (Venus) displays and the ability to open the machine for cleaning and servicing. A patented heat guard technology reduces the surface temperature of the laminator by as much as 35 percent over other equivalent models on the market making it very safe to use.

Key project players from Product Development Technologies: Designers involved were: Chris Parratt, Terry Gander, Angus Davidson, Jean Kiple and George Guffey.

Electronics SILVER

Advanced Telematics device from Tata Motors Ltd., Pune, India, and its industrial design firm Ticket Design, Pune, India.

TRAKIT is a vehicle tracking telematic device designed for Indian truck drivers and fleet owners. The product uses advanced telematics technology to track mobile assets on the road offering road assistance, entertainment and safety to the drivers. The device works in conjunction with the global positioning satellite and mobile phone network.

Drivers can speak to the base station, listen to music, and be accessible to their families at any given time. Other features include: Intuitive user interface consisting of a significant “All OK” key, three emergency keys, and no numeric keypad.

Key project players for Ticket Design: Nishma Pandit; Founder, Industrial design Specialist, Balkrishna Mahajan; Founder, Industrial Design Specialist,  Tata Motors: Mr. V. G. Gujrathi, Senior GM Electricals and Electronics; Mr. S. N. Dhaneshwar; DGM Electronics, Tata Motors Ltd. and Mr. J. J. Sathe, DM, Electronics, Tata Motors Ltd.

Electronics SILVER

The Oculon Multimedia Goggle X-405 from Oculon Optoelectronics Inc., and the industrial design firm Nova Design Co., Ltd., Xizhi City, Taiwan.

The Oculon Multimedia Goggle X-405 is a head mount display that enhances video, audio, and gaming experiences with built-in MP4 functions. Users can store and play video and audio files. The designers focused on a practical multimedia goggle with such features as a flexible hinge, intuitive five-way control, internal battery, and built-in memory card reader. It is designed to look like sunglasses with a curved side profile and a mirror-finished front cover.

By employing battery operation, the design team was able to eliminate power and audio/video cables that are on other face mount displays; thus, enhancing the portability and appearance of the product itself.

Key project players: Design Team at Nova Design Co., Ltd.

Electronics SILVER

The DynaPoint WA Webcam from DynaPoint Inc., NeiHu, Taipei City, Taiwan, and the industrial design firm Nova Design Co., Ltd.

DynaPoint WA Webcam is not a webcam in the traditional sense. In addition to meeting basic functional requirements, the DynaPoint WA Webcam provides an interactive and playful experience of Internet video through its adjustable base and detachable lens design.

It features a 3-ring base that is collapsible for lens protection and can be stowed away for portability. Its design provides flexibility for different height adjustment. The lens-plate is detachable so it can be mounted either on a laptop or PC monitor with a universal mounting bracket.

Key project players: Design Team at Nova Design Co., Ltd.

Major Appliances/HVAC SILVER

The TRANE CleanEffects whole house air cleaner from Trane, Tyler, Texas.

TRANE CleanEffects is the first whole-house air cleaning system to remove up to 99.98 percent of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns in size from the air that is heated or cooled.

The system creates electrical fields that charges airborne particles. In head-to-head independent testing of home air cleaners, researchers found that TRANE CleanEffects cleaned indoor air several hundred times more effectively than the 1-in. disposable filter found in most American homes. The tests also showed TRANE CleanEffects cleaned the air throughout the home about eight to 10 times more effectively than portable HEPA filters.

Key project players Trane: Randy Scott, vice president, product systems management; Steve Arnholt, systems leader, controls and IAQ; Steve Bias, Engineering IHE Team Leader; and Leigh Smith and Mark Woodruff, design engineers.

Major Appliances/HVAC SILVER

The KitchenAid Architect II Microwave Hood Combination Oven, KHMS2050S, from Whirlpool, Benton Harbor, Mich.

The Architect® II microwave hood combination oven provides best-in-class cooking performance with 1,200 watts, utilizing OptimaWave™ microwave inverter technology for precise heating control, incorporating the high performance TrueCapture® 300 cu ft./min. ventilation system.

The oven incorporates an intuitive, reconfigurable, menu driven LCD user interface to access advanced cooking features. To align the design with the range that is typically installed below the MHC, the door and user interface is centered on the front of the unit.

Key project players. Whirlpool Global Consumer Design and Whirlpool Technology Centers (Norrkoping, Sweden; Shenzhen, China & Benton Harbor, Mich.).

Major Appliances/HVAC SILVER

The Liebherr SBS 245 – 48-in. side-by-side built-in 5-zone food and wine storage unit from Liebherr Hausgerate, Ochsenhausen, Germany.

The 48-in. SBS 245 combines food and wine storage in a side-by-side configuration that features five separate temperature zones for optimum storage of all varieties of food and wine in one appliance.

The storage unit includes a built-in 2-zone wine cabinet with LED lighting, double-glazed, tinted glass, bending half shelf, wooden pull-out shelves and activated charcoal filters. The refrigerator and freezer compartments feature precise electronic controls, NoFrost technology, automatic IceMaker and Triple refrigeration system. The Triple Refrigeration System use separate silent compressors to ensure accurate temperature and humidity control. A SuperCool function that reduces the temperature of the refrigerator to +35 DegF for 6 hours, and a SuperFrost function that reduces the temperature in the freezer to as low as -25 DegF.

Key project players from Liebherr-Hausgerate: Juerjen Gerner, product construction/design; Klaus Oelmaier, lab/test development.

Major Appliances SILVER

The Bosch Integra Series Ranges from BSH Home Appliances.

Advancements on the Bosch Integra slide-in ranges include the dual fuel models’ upgraded 16,000 BTU POWERSIM burner, which offers low simmer and high output.

For increased versatility, the OPTISIM burner, a new diffuser cap developed for the smallest burner, enables even lower simmer capabilities and is perfect for delicate liquids and sauces. The dual-fuel models boast a combined output for the cooktop of 46,500 BTU along with simmer capabilities on all four burners. Some electric models feature larger expandable elements, including a triple heating element in 6-in., 9-in. and 12-in. heated zone sizes.

It also features the Touch & Turn Oven Control, a touch control and electro-mechanical dial that controls the oven’s 11 cooking modes.

Key project players for BSH Home Appliances: Industrial Design: Jonathan Grey, IDSA; Graham Sadtler, IDSA. Design Engineering: Erdogan Gulyaz, Raul Celis, Mario Elizondo.

Major Appliances/HVAC SILVER

The Maytag Ice2O Bottom Freezer from Whirlpool Corp.

The Ice2O is the first French door bottom freezer refrigerator with ice and chilled water on the door. It uses an insulated ice-producing module placed in the upper left hand corner of the fresh food compartment. The module is regulated by an air-management system hidden from the consumer’s view that uses gravity to dispense ice without having to deliver ice up from the freezer compartment. The refrigerator improves storage in the freezer compartment by a series of divided, molded bins on easy-glide rails. The bins are designed to accommodate boxed and irregular shaped items. Additional compartments are vertically proportioned for bulky, long-term items in the lower area, and smaller, more frequently accessed items in the upper divided spaces.

Key project players from Whirlpool: Whirlpool Global Consumer Design, Benton Harbor; Whirlpool Engineering, Amana, Iowa.

Medical/Test & Measurement Equipment SILVER

The Fluke Ti20 Thermal Imager from Fluke Corp. Corporate Design, Everett, Wash., and the industrial design firm SoMA Inc., Portland.

The Fluke Ti20 Thermal Imager produces an infrared image that displays temperature differentiation across an object to detect defects. The Fluke Ti20 uses an infrared lens and a proprietary micro-bolometer technology that allows users to see and read temperatures up to 350 DegC. It has a weight-balanced design with the batteries in the handle. The handle and trigger are positioned in relation to the control buttons to allow one-hand operation. Three buttons in the keypad are all soft keys allowing for an intuitive user interface. The function of each button is displayed above it on the large LCD and is defined by the choices the user makes at any point in the control menu. The Fluke Ti20 has a “Point-Shoot-Image Capture” use model. The image is fully “radiometric,” which allows the user to read a temperature point from each pixel, giving them full analysis capabilities.

Key project players from Fluke Corp.: George McCain, IDSA, Industrial Design; Joseph Ferrante, IDSA, User Interface Design; Duncan Kearsley, Mechanical Engineering. SoMA Inc.: Jason Sagan, Industrial Design. Suppliers: Kenzymi Precision Ltd., plastic injection molding; G.E. Plastics, plastic resins; Global Components Corp., elastomeric keypad.

Small Appliances SILVER

The Bionaire BU-2200U Revolution Humidifier from the The Holmes Group, Milford, Mass., and its design firm Herbst LaZar Bell, Waltham, Mass.

The Bionaire Revolution is an ultra-sonic humidifier that generates a vortex of cool, humidifying mist swirling from a central chamber. The product releases mist into the air for twelve hours at a time and features a blue backlit view window that reveals the mist as it swirls through the chamber. Water from the tank is dispersed into the base reservoir where it is vibrated by a transducer at an ultrasonic speed of 1.7 million times per second. The transducer breaks the water into mist and sends it into the front chamber where the vortex of air flow propels the smaller, finer mist particles up and disperses the fine vapor into the air through the top grill while the denser, larger water molecules fall back into the base. The resulting mist emitted from the Revolution is much finer and lighter then typical humidifiers.

Key project players from The Holmes Group: Don Bryce, vice president of marketing, Home Environment. Herbst LaZar Bell: Anthony Pannozzo, director of industrial design; Rose Anderson, industrial designer.

Small Appliances SILVER

The ION 900 Series Drinking Water Appliance is manufactured by Natural Choice Corp., Rockford, Ill., industrial designed by Cesaroni Design Associates Inc., Glenview, Ill., and engineered by Veracitech Inc., Flora, Miss.

Natural Choice redefined water-dispensing products with the introduction of the ION 900 Series Drinking Water Appliance. Whether in the home or at the office, this compact, high performance appliance connects directly into any tap water supply, providing an endless amount of drinking water. At a touch of a button, the ION automatically dispenses clean, fresh drinking water either ice cold, sparkling (carbonated) or even hot for tea, cocoa and soups. The appliance uses the latest filtration technology, called the CarbonPlus system that improves taste and reduces contaminants such as chlorine, lead and cysts.  Complete with a multitude of user-friendly features, the ION incorporates PureAlert technology, automatically notifying the user when the filter needs to be replaced.

Key project players from Natural Choice Corp.: George Knoll, president; Cesaroni Design Associates Inc.: Bill Cesaroni, president, and Chris Kulujian, industrial designer; Veracitech Inc.: Chet Robards, engineer. 

Commercial/Vending Appliances BRONZE

The WAVE Newsbox from 34th Street Partnership, New York. Designed by Ignacio Ciocchini, Industrial Designer and manufactured by Le Groupe Poitras, Quebec, Canada.

The WAVE Newsbox is a curvilinear outdoor vending machine for multiple publications. It is designed to help clean up urban street corners by convincing publishers to forego solitary newsboxes. The units present publications to oncoming pedestrians at a 22.5 degree angle and pedestrians see the publication with little effort as they walk towards the unit thus increasing the visual contact with the front of the paper and the chances of an impulse buy. Natural-Choice.jpgKey project players from 34th Street Partnership: Dan Biederman, president; Ignacio Ciocchini, director of industrial design; Herb Kozlow, vice president; Don Bussolini, manager; Charles Fremaint, director of publisher relations. Natural-Choice.jpgLe Groupe Poitras: Martin Gagnon, president; Glenn Goodfellow, senior account executive.

Electronics BRONZE

The Globalstar GSP 1700 Satellite phone system from Qualcomm Inc. and industrial design firm, Product Development Technologies, Austin, Texas. Natural-Choice.jpgThe GSP 1700 is the smallest, lightest Globalstar satellite phone, making it ultra portable. The phone is intended for communications use where consumer handsets cannot work such as disaster stricken areas, remote working locations, or where pioneering expeditions are ready to break frontiers. The handset was designed for use as both voice and data communication by connecting to satellites (LEO) orbiting at an altitude of approximately 1500 km. Natural-Choice.jpgKey project players from Qualcomm Inc.: Ted Santos, director of engineering; Andy Lejman, staff engineer. Globalstar LLC: Lucio Caporicca, senior director product development; Bob Miller, senior vice president, Paul Monte, director systems engineering. PDT: Industrial Designers Tim J. Morton, Lisa Yanz and Sona Patadia; Mechanical Engineer Steve Gaynes.

Electronics BRONZE

The Fujitsu LifeBook  A6010 Notebook computer from Fujitsu, Kawasaki, Japan, and its industrial design firm Stuart Karten Design, Marina Del Rey, Calif. Natural-Choice.jpgThe LifeBook A6010 Notebook is an elegant, yet value-priced laptop computer designed specifically for a targeted segment of conservative-minded, home-based technology users in the U.S. The result is  a research-driven product that resonates with this large but often overlooked group of computer users, who could include retirees, stay-at-home moms, students, and home-based business users. Natural-Choice.jpgKey project players from Fujitsu: Chief Designers Kenichi Kimura, Makoto Sawaguchi; Design Director Akihiko Ishizuka; and Desiger Eiji Nagao. Stuart Karten Design: Stuart Karten, principal; Eric Olson, design director; Simon Sollberger, senior designer; Chris Clark, designer.

Major Appliances/HVAC BRONZE

The Sharp Insight Pro Microwave Drawer KB-6014L from Sharp Manufacturing Co. of America, Memphis, Tenn. Natural-Choice.jpgThe Sharp Microwave Drawer allows designers to “hide” the microwave while providing accessibility. The model KB-6014L broadens the selection of Microwave Drawer options so that kitchen designers can incorporate a Microwave Drawer into almost any design layout or configuration. This 24-in. Microwave Drawer has the same interior capacity as a 30-in. unit. Natural-Choice.jpgKey project players from Sharp Electronics: Harry Hessen, senior director, product planning, design and marketing; Anne Howard, M.A. Howard Consulting, Consultant to Sharp Electronics Corp., and members of the product planning and engineering departments of Sharp Manufacturing Co. of America, Memphis, Sharp Corp., Osaka, Japan; and Sharp Electronics Corp. Appliance Marketing Group, Mahwah, N.J.

Medical/Test & Measurement Equipment: BRONZE

ProDrive Handpiece Upgrade from ProDrive Systems Inc., Montreal, and its industrial design firm Design1st, Ottawa, Canada. Natural-Choice.jpgThe patented ProDrive Handpiece Upgrade System is comprised of the ProDrive Turbine that retrofits into an existing handpiece, and the ProDrive Bur that locks into the turbine with its triangular bur shaft. Traditional friction grip handpieces suffer torque loss caused by the bur turning more slowly than the turbine under increased cutting loads. Although difficult to perceive, the difference in rotational speed reduces cutting power. The ProDrive’s 100 percent torque transfer feature ensures that the full cutting power of the handpiece is transferred to the bur for maximum cutting. Natural-Choice.jpgKey projects players from ProDrive Systems Inc.: Derek M. J. Turner, founder and chairman; Jean Castonguay, CEO; Dave Ingram, director of manufacturing. Design1st Inc.: Kevin Bailey, president (p. eng.); and Andrew Millson, mechanical engineer. Finecast Ultra High Precision Machining: Peter Pfister. Carpenter Technology Corp.

Medical/Test & Measurement Equipment BRONZE

The T5 Point-of-Care Technology Cart from Humanscale Design Studio, New York Natural-Choice.jpgThe T5 Point-of-Care Technology Cart is a mobile computing unit for healthcare environments. The “mobile office for doctors and nurses” is designed to hold PCs, tablet PCs and notebook computers, and operates wirelessly. It is made from high-quality, hardened plastics that reduce the weight to approximately 70 pounds — the lightest on the market — and eliminates sharp edges. It uses hygienic materials, and addresses several ergonomic and postural concerns via an articulating keyboard tray and mousing platform, gel palm support, and height-adjustable monitor. Natural-Choice.jpgKey project players from Humanscale Design Studio: Manuel Saez, design director; Maximo Diaz, senior industrial designer.

Outdoor/Leisure Appliances BRONZE

The Kenyon All Seasons Electric Grill  from Kenyon International, Clinton, Conn. Natural-Choice.jpgThe Kenyon All Seasons Electric Grill features an intuitive, easy-to-use under glass electronic touch control. An optional non-stick griddle allows the user to cook a variety of foods that are not normally cooked on a conventional grill. The compact design contains a cooking area of 159 sq. in. The grill is offered as a built-in (120 VAC or 240 VAC) or portable unit (120 VAC). Natural-Choice.jpgKey project players from Kenyon International: Joe Laskowski, project engineer, Phil Williams, president; Joe Wells, vice president of engineering; Paul Longo, Purchasing/Supply Chain; and, Dennis Keegan, manufacturing engineer.

Small Appliances BRONZE

The KitchenAid® 5-Speed Blender, KSB560MC,  from Whirlpool Corp. Natural-Choice.jpgThe new KitchenAid® blender is equipped with a 56-oz jar that docks into its base in any of eight possible orientations. The use of commercial-grade polycarbonate in the one-piece jar gives it the quality look of a commercial blender, while providing light weight, durability, clarity and an attractive coefficient of friction. It features an over-molded soft-touch handle that provides a more stable and comfortable grip; drain holes are strategically located to prevent water from pooling in the dishwasher. The blender uses a powerful motor housed in a heavy die-cast metal base with seamless clean-touch controls. Natural-Choice.jpgKey project players: Whirlpool Global Consumer Design.

MEET THE JUDGES

Ken Krayer is the Chair of the Product Design program at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, and consults in design strategy, industrial design, and brand experience. He has held the position of Director of Design for Haworth, Inc., in Holland, Mich., as well as Director of Design for Details, a division of Steelcase, Inc., in Grand Rapids, Mich. He was a designer with A+O Studio in San Francisco, as well as Studio Dumbar in Den Haag, Netherlands. He received his Masters degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Design in 1988, and his B.S. in Art Education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1976.

Steven M. Belz, Ph.D is a Principal Member of Technical Staff with AT&T Labs in Austin, Texas. He specializes in evaluating technology and using that knowledge — combined with an understanding of the target consumer needs and desires — to collaborate with his design colleagues in developing engaging product experiences.

In addition to occasionally consulting, he has also worked for Kodak and Lucent Technologies. He thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to bring practical experience to the classroom and has served as an Adjunct Faculty member within the Department of Industrial Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

In addition to reviewing submissions for various human factors and product design-related publications, he is the 2006-2007 Program Chair for the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society’s Product Design Technical Group. He holds Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. degrees from the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech and was awarded the 2004-2005 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award by Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering.

Amy Potts has been designing products for the past 18 years. She is a founding principal of Stream Product Development in Chelmsford, Mass., which has been providing complete product development for clients in the medical, consumer, and industrial fields since 1994. Her work has been recognized by the IDSA, BusinessWeek, Wired, Metropolis, I.D. Magazine, and numerous product design books. She holds several utility and design patents. She was a juror for the 2004 IDEA/BusinessWeek Awards and the 2003 Consumer Electronics Show. The Italian design magazine Ottagono selected her for a feature article on women designers in the United States in 2002.

She is a featured lecturer and advisor on product development and green design at business and design schools including MIT, Clark, Tufts, Carnegie Mellon, and RISD. In 1998, she won the Bronze Bean award for the most up and coming young designer in New England. She has written and contributed to several design articles, papers, and books including Product Design and Development, MIT press, 1994. She holds an industrial design degree from Carnegie Mellon University.