21st Annual EID: Look Smart, Work Smart
by Larry Adams
June 1, 2008
High-performance designs display high style.
Today’s designers must conquer many conflicting
challenges. The products that they develop must differentiate themselves from
the competition while simultaneously achieving similar objectives, such as
energy efficiency and ease of use.
The winning entries in
the 21st annual Excellence in Design competition are products that meet such
demands. The designers behind the winning products have found a way to produce
sophisticated technology that is intuitive to use, and presents itself with an
eye-catching appearance.
Balancing the need for increased
functionality without creating a level of complexity that confounds the user is
a tough trick to pull off. Sometimes tradeoffs need to be made, and good
designs are evidence of good decisions.
Most importantly, many of the winning products
in this year’s competition tackle the time constraints faced by both consumers
and professionals, who need to work smarter, better, and faster. Many of the
winning entries employ a combination of high technology and well-thought-out
usability features to meet those demands. Entries for this
year’s competition were slotted into one of several categories. Winning entries
were recognized with a Gold, Silver, or Bronze award. The winners are not
evenly distributed across categories 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 20.
Twenty First Annual EID -- GOLD
Electronics GOLD
The Tatung VOIP Phone from the Tatung Co.,
Tucheng, Taiwan, and its industrial design firm Nova Design Co. Ltd., Xizhi
City, Taiwan The Tatung VOIP phone is designed to be
intuitive to use, especially for new users, children, and the elderly. The
simplified user interface features a clear display keypad that has touch sensor
operation that simplifies the function key and keypad. EID Juror Seth Orsborn
called it a counterexample to the current ‘feature avalanche’ in most consumer
products. “By only providing the necessary features, the interactions become
intuitive and easy to accomplish,” he says. The phone comes
in a basic geometric shape with a square cutout that simplifies the form
element and makes it easy to grab and carry. Rounded edges soften the phone’s
appearance and enhance user comfort, according to the company. A sleek and
retro style antenna appearance emphasizes its wireless nature, and, according
to Orsborn, differentiates this from other similarly looking products.
Key players: Design team at Nova Design Co. Ltd.
Major Appliances/HVAC GOLD
Nexxt Laundry from BSH Home Appliances,
Huntington Beach, Calif. Bosch’s Nexxt Laundry appliances
use a combination of eco-friendly programs and settings that have been designed
to exceed 2007 Energy Star standards. For instance, on select clothes washers a
feature called ECOACTION decreases the temperature and amount of energy used
during the wash cycle by up to 25 percent. Nexxt Dyers conserve energy with its
Ecosensor feature, which uses less energy than conventional dryers by adjusting
the temperature based on the moisture level in the clothes or fabrics. The dryer’s
DUOTRONIC sensor detects the amount of moisture and adjusts the unit’s
operation automatically to save energy and prevent damage from over-drying.
It also has several specific wash cycles to make the
laundry pair easier to use. These cycles include KIDSCARE, which reaches 150
DegF to remove stains, and the XXTRAsanitary cycle, which sustains 170 DegF and
removes 99.9 percent of bacteria. It also features a Quick Wash 25 cycle that
will complete a 25-minute fast wash. Key players: Bosch
Home Appliances design team.
Major Appliances/HVAC GOLD
Integra dishwasher from BSH Home Appliances,
Huntington Beach, Calif. The Bosch lineup of Integra
dishwashers includes what the company calls the quietest and most energy
efficient model in the country, the Integra SHX98. The premium model achieves a
42 dB sound level and exceeds the minimum federal energy standard by 147
percent, with yearly usage of only 190 kWh. It features the
ECOSENSE Wash Management System that examines the soil level in the water via
an infrared light beam. A half-load option allows consumers to run the
dishwasher half full, thus saving time, water and energy by 30 percent. The
QUICKWASH feature offers an abbreviated 30-minute cycle for smaller loads or
less soiled dishes. In all, it uses as little as 1.8 gallons of water per
cycle. The Integra collection has a concealed control
panel. To communicate how to easily save on energy and efficiency, the company
added a green-colored “e” button. By pressing the button, it automatically
kicks into energy save mode. Juror Seth Orsborn says that the sleek finish and
hidden controls are a nice addition to any modern kitchen. “Utilizing their
technological prowess, Bosch developed a dishwasher that provides superior
cleaning power while minimizing resource consumption,” he says.
Key players: Bosch Home Appliances design team.
Major Appliances/HVAC GOLD
The Indesit Moon clothes washer from the Indesit
Co., Fabriano, Italy, and its industrial design team Italdesign Giugiaro SpA,
Moncalieri, Italy The Indesit Moon clothes washing machine
is an aesthetically pleasing, easy-to-use clothes washer that automatically
adjusts the temperature and spin speed according to the wash cycle chosen, and
optimizes consumption of water, time and energy according to the amount of
washing. To help improve cleaning, an integrated soap dispenser was developed
that delivers detergent directly into the heart of the wash, giving up to 50
percent more cleaning power than that of the typical detergent drawer, the
company says. A sensor in the drum detects the presence of detergent through
the alkalinity of the water and will automatically run up to two additional
rinse cycles to rinse out the detergent. A load balancing system was designed
that reduces vibration and noise. The controls have been simplified; users can
choose the wash cycle by pressing one of 4 buttons. The
aesthetics are simple, yet remarkable, says juror Seth Orsborn. “The simplified
controls remove all the redundant complexity while still giving you all the
washing options you need. The sensing technology and innovative detergent
holder are invisible insurance, which guarantee a clean wash with minimum
resource usage.” Key players: Design team at Indesit Co.
Design team at Italdesign - Giugiaro SpA - Giugiaro Design.
Major Appliances/HVAC GOLD
The KitchenAid® Architect® Series II built-in
double-oven from Whirlpool Corp., Benton Harbor, Mich. The
advanced convection oven features steam-assisted cooking and can switch between
convection and non-convection cooking with the Easy Convect temperature
conversion system. The product features a capacitive-touch
glass control panel for easy navigation through a highly intuitive,
user-focused interface. It opens to its full width and comes with a large
viewing window, and an easy to clean glass inner wall. The
built-in oven follows what the company calls its core Architect Series II visual
brand language. The language emphasizes functional purpose and material
authenticity through subtle detailing. Surface transitions, for example, are
treated with a simple chamfer to communicate a sense of order and logic.
Badges, user interfaces and the product edges all include this chamfer to set
themselves apart from the main body surfaces. The handles,
which were raised to better accommodate oven mitts, are simple, yet tightly
controlled forms. The user interfaces follow a consistent pattern and color
scheme. For instance, the key functions including the Start and Off functions,
are highlighted in a light grey, while remaining buttons are dark grey.
Key Players: The KitchenAid Brand Studio team at Global
Consumer Design, Whirlpool Corp.
Medical/Test & Measurement Equipment GOLD
The Gendex expert DC Intraoral X-Ray System by
KaVo Dental Corporation-Gendex Dental Systems, Des Plaines, Ill., and
industrial design firm Cesaroni Design Associates Inc., Glenview, Ill.
The Gendex expert DC, an intraoral X-ray system, merges
fresh and patient-friendly aesthetics with the latest advances in electronic
technology for more accurate diagnosis. Care was taken to avoid the
intimidating dental-equipment look of the existing unit. Patient comfort is
increased by the open architectural forms. Backlit translucent controls, light
colors and fresh graphics lend an emotional approachability as well. Unique
controls offer twenty-one exposure settings, plus programmable anatomical
presets and Quickset tubehead controls for ease of use and patient safety.
Juror Seth Orsborn calls the integration of the control a “novel feature that
should bring confidence to the patient.” Key project
players from KaVo Dental Corporation-Gendex Dental Systems: David Pettinato,
mechanical engineer; Nimesh Bhagat, sr. product manager; and, Dmitry Edelchik,
global product manager imaging; Cesaroni Design Associates Inc.: Bill Cesaroni,
president, Morad Ghassemian, director product design and Melissa Gustafson,
graphic designer.
Medical/Test & Measurement GOLD
The Detecto-Pak Infrared gas detector from Heath
Consultants Inc., Houston, Texas, and its industrial design firm Helix Design,
Manchester, N.H. The Detecto Pak-Infrared device is a
portable device that detects if methane gas is leaking from distribution
pipelines. It uses an infrared optical gas detection system that can make a
distinction between methane and other gases and reduce the number of false
alarms. The system eliminates the traditional Flame Ionization method that
requires gas cylinders and refill systems. Aesthetically,
the unit combines rigid components with soft-touch molded elements. The
elements include a silicone keypad interface that has been simplified with less
buttons, a refined hierarchy, and oversized buttons for gloved operation.
Juror Seth Orsborn says that the system is a new technique
for detecting gases and is a much-needed change in technology for this market.
He adds that the aesthetics are a pleasant departure from the sheet metal
tradition and the large, tactile buttons provide an easy interaction for the
worker. Key Players from Heath Consultants: Jim Rutherford,
director of R&D; John Fisher, engineering supervisor. Helix Design: Joe
Schappler, principal; A.K. Stratton, director of product development; Roy
Whitson, project leader; Fernando Robert, designer; Chris Weiler, senior
engineer. Suppliers: Joe Doss, principal, Dynamic Plastics;
Devin Asakura, Hanaco Manufacturing; Luke Janetos, principal, HRP Fabrication;
Richard Hilliard, general manager-Metaltronics; Tony Lee, principal, Copesetic.
Medical/Test & Measurement Equipment GOLD
The Tono-Pen Avia™ Applanation Tonometer from
Reichert, Inc., Depew, N.Y., and the industrial design firm Metaphase Design
Group, St. Louis, Mo. The Tono-Pen Avia is an easy-to-use
portable, handheld instrument that measures intraocular pressure – the fluid
pressure inside the eye – to evaluate ocular conditions such as glaucoma. It is
an alternative solution to the larger, bulky instruments, and allows the unit
to be brought to the patient and used successfully with minimal training.
Through intensive user research, the design team explored
ways to improve usability and reliability of the device by minimizing human
error. Studies on grip postures, user technique and instrument ergonomics
resulted in an intuitive design featuring a new size, form and grip
architecture. The handle was shortened and optimized for virtually all hand sizes
by creating a smooth curve with the center of gravity located in the primary
grip zone. The width dimensions were expanded and soft elastomeric co-molding
was added for thumb and forefinger placement, minimizing grip forces and
increasing stability and comfort. The unit features a
stainless steel tip with a bead-blasted finish, a glossy white body finish and
a blue elastomeric co-molding. To make it easier to use, two large LCDs were
incorporated in the center with visibility from either side to ensure both left
and right-handed users can effectively view the results in low-light
conditions. Key Players from Metaphase Design Group: Marc
Hunter and Brian Bone, ergonomics; Jeff Feng and David Kusch, designers.
Supplier: Craig Drager, vice president, R & D, Medtronic XOMED.
Outdoor/Leisure Appliances GOLD
The X7 Elliptical Cross-Trainer by Life Fitness,
Franklin Park, Ill. and the industrial design firm, Cesaroni Design Associates
Inc., Glenview, Ill. The X7 cross-trainer is a new consumer
elliptical with electronic stride adjustments. For a more natural ellipse
motion and comfortable workout, the oversized foot pedals are spaced 1.75-in.
closer and flex as the user moves to absorb impact. Fluid electronic stride
adjustments from 18 in. to 24 in. accommodate different sized users and target
different muscle groups. Shortening and/or lengthening the stride offers a
total-body workout with synchronized upper- and lower-body movement. Effort is
dispersed to the arms and legs to burn more calories with less perceived
exertion. Simplifying user activity while in motion, the design team developed
a lower console, known as the Activity Zone. Easily accessible stride length
and resistance level buttons are located on the Activity Zone, along with a
built-in LCD display showing the stride length and resistance level, as well as
the muscles currently being worked. Key project players
from Life Fitness: Steve Ward, director of industrial design; Tom Cray,
industrial design manager; and, Rad Arceta, sr. industrial designer; Cesaroni
Design Associates Inc.: Bill Cesaroni, president, and Christian Castro, project
manager.
Small Appliances GOLD
The One Touch Automatic Jar Opener from One
Touch Products Ltd., Hong Kong, and its industrial design firm, and
sister-company, Daka Research Inc., also of Hong Kong.
Billed as the world’s first automatic hands-free jar
opener, the One Touch Jar Opener replaces cumbersome, electric openers and
hard-to-use manual openers with a small, easy to use product. Powered by 2 AA
batteries, it can open more than 50 jars with one charge.
Its gripping mechanism is one of its most innovative
features. A human being using a manual opener will grip tighter when the grip
slips; the patented mechanism mimics the action of a strong pair of hands by
automatically balancing the grip with the required torque and continuing to
open the jar. The unit can achieve a grip force of 45 kg (100 lbs).
The organic shape is designed tightly around the internal
mechanical components including the motor, gears and batteries, so that it fits
in a person’s hand and stores easily. The unit’s surface features a round,
pebble texture that offers an easy grip. The jaws are clearly differentiated as
contrasting, bold gripping elements. “The ease of use is promoted through a
single button and obvious interaction between the jar and appliance,” says
juror Seth Orsborn. Key players from Daka Research Inc.:
Pat Mah, chairman. MAS Design Products Limited: Mark Sanders, Director.
Twenty First Annual EID -- SILVER
Commercial/Vending Appliances SILVER
The B3000 Keurig brewing System from Keurig
Inc., Reading, Mass. The B3000 brewing System is a single
serve commercial brewer that can brew coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and dispense hot
water for beverages or food. It has two hot water tanks, a
preheat tank and a brew tank, that help ensure back-to-back brewing every 60
seconds. It monitors water temperature and controls power distribution to
maintain this feature. The brewer can automatically
puncture the portion pack and eject the used packet into a receptacle inside
the brewer. Sensors indicate when the bin is full and ready to be emptied. Key
Players from Keurig Inc.: Richard Pasquini, director of brewer engineering; Ian
Tinkler, v.p. of brewer engineering; Kevin Sullivan, v.p. of engineering and
product development; David Manly, v.p. of marketing; John Phillips, product
manager marketing; Geoff Smith, William Sawyer, senior engineers. Proteus
Design: Paul Metaxatos, v.p. product development; Eric Nichols, senior designer
product development; Tim Bragg, senior designer product development.
Commercial/Vending Appliances SILVER
A.O. Smith Cyclone Xi commercial gas water
heater from A.O. Smith, Ashland City, Tenn. The Cyclone Xi
(BTH 500) is a 130-gal. high-efficiency commercial gas water heater. The helical heat exchanger coil and pre-mix
powered burner works by increasing the total amount of heat-transfer surface to
generate 95 percent thermal efficiency. The glass-lined heat exchanger coil
keeps the hot gases inside the BTH-500 longer. The top mounted, down-fire,
pre-mix burner ignites the gas mixture and a swirling flame shoots downward
into a submerged central combustion chamber. The resulting hot flue gases are
then forced at high velocity up through the helical coil, which is surrounded
by water. Using centrifugal force, the coil’s spiral shape keeps hot gases
swirling to maximize energy transfer. Key Players from A.O.
Smith: Matt Schulz, product manager; David Chisolm, brand manager; John Niu,
design engineer; Darryl Ruark, design engineer; Andrew Phillips and Andy Caves,
electronics engineers.
Commercial/Vending Appliances SILVER
Metro C5 3 Series Insulation Armour Heated
Holding and Proofing Cabinets from InterMetro Industries Corp., Wilkes Barre,
Pa. These insulated cabinets are used in commercial
kitchens to hold and transport hot food products prior to serving. With
patent-pending Insulation Armour, the units provide thermal insulation meeting
Energy Star requirements. The panels lower the exterior temperature of the
cabinet to comfortable levels. The design is scalable and modular, providing
three heights. A flexible pan handling system accommodates three styles of pan
racks, and the company offers a choice of three interchangeable heat modules
(hot holding, proofing, and combination proofing and holding).
Key Players from InterMetro Industries: Jim Kilgallon,
cabinet segment manager; Dave Barsigian, project manager; Jeff Olson, manager
of industrial design; Bill Sickles, senior developmental engineer; Tim Baker,
manufacturing engineer (polymer components); Mike Liberski, manufacturing
engineer (fabrication and assembly); Dave McGovern, standard products engineer;
Brian Cushman, product testing engineer.
Major Appliances/HVAC SILVER
Bosch Wall Ovens from BSH Home Appliances,
Huntington Beach, Calif. The Bosch Wall Ovens are designed
for busy consumers and have time-saving features such as ECOCLEAN, an exclusive
two-hour, self-cleaning function, and an ultra-fast 7 minute preheat. Boasting
an oven capacity of 4.7 cu. ft., the ovens are ideal for tackling any type of
cooking need in the home. Features include 16 different heating options, and
exclusive Genuine European Convection that equally distributes heat for even
cooking results, and allows for the cooking of an entire meal all at once
without the transfer of flavor or aromas. It has easy to clean glass touch
controls, installs flush to cabinetry, soft curved styling, and a large
see-through window. Key players: Bosch Home Appliance
design team.
Major Appliances SILVER
The LG SteamWasher with Allergiene Cycle from LG
Electronics, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. The clothes washer is
an allergen-reducing steam washing machine that is the first such appliance to
be certified “asthma & allergy friendly™” by the Asthma and Allergy
Foundation of America. During the Allergiene cycle, the unit
achieves a temperature above the recommended 131 DegF by the National Institute
of Health to kill dust mites and remove pet dander by more than 95 percent. It
works by distributing a high and even temperature of steam combined with hot
water in order to dissolve and eliminate allergens. The
steam, which is produced by LG’s steam generator, is used in different cycles
on the machine. The SteamWash option feeds hot steam into the top of the wash
drum through a spray nozzle. The SteamFresh cycle is a 20-min. steam-only cycle
that uses steam to freshen and reduce wrinkles on dry clothes.
Key players: LG Electronics appliance design team.
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