CUMULUS SERIES
Michael McAllister from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia created something from nothing with the Cumulus Series. This set of vessels and containers transforms discarded materials, such as plastic bags, into functional objects. Burks congratulated the clever exploration of household objects but lamented the lack of long-term potential and perceived value. Although the provided sample leaked when tested with water, the jurors felt the element of reuse and environmental responsibility was praiseworthy.
DESIGN Michael McAllister, University of the Arts, Philadelphia; Rama Chorpash, advising professor MATERIALS|FABRICATION polyethylene bags vacuum-positioned over collapsible weed core with variable heat source HARDWARE|SOFTWARE digital camera, Adobe Photoshop, QuarkXPress, hot air
TREKKER
Designer Alejandro Garfio describes Trekker as a tool for serious hikers who want to travel fast, efficiently and effectively, while keeping a record of where they’ve been, where they are and where they’re going. Garfio, a student at California State University Long Beach, logically combined a GPS tracker, digital camera and sound-recording device into one simple hiking pole that lightens the user’s load. Jurors described the Trekker as a good all-in-one project with strong interface graphics and an excellent presentation. “Unlike a lot of electronic devices we’ve seen, which fall under the category of ‘more unnecessary objects to buy,’ this is a sophisticated combination of old and new technologies,” Barrett said.
DESIGN Alejandro Garfio, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, Calif.MATERIALS|FABRICATION high-density foam HARDWARE|SOFTWARE Ashlar-Vellum, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
NORD ICE YACHT
Icesailing, an “adventure in speed” that involves using a wind-driven sail to glide across a frozen body of water, is a relatively unknown and inaccessible sport. According to designer Gustav Nord—a student at the University of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, Sweden—many enthusiasts resort to building their own sailing devices. Nord is an ice yacht aimed at young action-sport enthusiasts that combines safety and comfort in a simple design. The vehicle features an ergonomic cockpit that protects the participant from the wind and a simple rigging system that’s friendly and intuitive for new users.
DESIGN Gustav Nord, University of Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm, Sweden
PAY US TO KILL YOU
According to designer G. Dan Covert at the California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC) in San Francisco/Oakland, this poster bluntly illustrates how much money the tobacco industry makes from promoting smoking. Covert created custom typography out of cigarettes that clearly spells out his message: Pay Us to Kill You. Both jurors first described the concept as brilliant, but were disappointed by the explanatory text at the bottom of the poster. “It could have easily been a sticker on the back,” Burks said, noting that it detracted from the overall composition.
DESIGN G. Dan Covert, California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC), San Francisco/Oakland HARDWARE|SOFTWARE Macintosh G4, Nikon F100 camera, HP ScanJet 5370C, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
MENORA
Mirroring the original Jewish tale, this sophisticated and creative version of the traditional menorah, designed by Meni Keinan from the Bezalel Academy of Art in Jerusalem, uses the reflection of a central candle to represent the eight nights of Hanukkah. Impressed by the thoughtful design of a religious piece, both jurors enjoyed the clear interpretation of the miracle of lights. “This project has one light that measures the days in reflection, which is more reflective of the notion of a light burning for eight days,” Barrett said. Jurors also commented on the irregular shape of the “candles” and the unique and appropriate use of materials.
DESIGN Meni Keinan, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem MATERIALS|FABRICATION menora: sandblasted, cast aluminum; candles: cast aluminum
STEADY WRITER
Jimmy Shen’s Steady Writer was inspired by an art teacher who suffered from a hereditary neurological disorder that ultimately prevented him from drawing. After thorough observation and research, the designer, a student at California State University Long Beach, created a pen that enables those who suffer from essential tremors to write legibly. The front portion of the pen—which is steadied by the back section that pivots and allows freedom of movement—features a spring attached to a felt tip that attenuates the tremors. According to the designer, the Steady Writer’s aesthetic, which differs from the impersonal and often intimidating medical products currently available, enables it to be used without embarrassment. Jurors praised this project as a thoughtful, user-focused solution to a real problem.
DESIGN Jimmy Shen, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, Calif.HARDWARE|SOFTWARE FormZ, 3D Studio Max, Ashlar-Vellum
TOPO BENCH
Andrew Coates’ Topo Bench is designed to bring the outdoors in for those who live in the city but long for the country. This unique creation from common craft felt translates topography into furniture. According to the designer, a student at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, R.I. “The serene topographical imagery may momentarily soothe weary eyes and remind us of nature’s beauty and the need to preserve and visit but not necessarily acquire it.”
DESIGN Andrew Coates, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, R.I.MATERIALS|FABRICATION steel frame and base, 700 pieces of die-cut felt threaded over frame HARDWARE|SOFTWARE AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, PC
GREENTHUMB
Greenthumb includes everything but water to get you growing and cooking. This recipe book packs its own herb-garden kit and is 100-percent recycled and biodegradable. Made from peat moss, paper bags, beeswax, rock-wool and dirt, Greenthumb, designed by Nick Cronan, of the California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC) in San Francisco/Oakland, gets the user involved with growing and preparing his or her own food with eco-friendly planting techniques and healthy cooking. When the product kit is removed from the center, the book—which features herb history and tasty recipes—fits easily onto a shelf.
DESIGN Nick Cronan, California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC), San Francisco/Oakland MATERIALS|FABRICATION pulp containing paper bags, peat moss, beeswax and dirt, stamped into shape and baked for 10 hours in mold HARDWARE|SOFTWARE Macintosh Powerbook G4, Epson printer 1270, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Word
BOX_UP
As a student at the University of Cincinnati, Peter Hanchak was frustrated by living a nomadic lifestyl
e without comfortable and easily portable furniture. Box_Up is a self-contained seating experiment for people on the go; it breaks down quickly and effortlessly to move from place to place.
DESIGN Peter Hanchak, University of Cincinnati, CincinnatiMATERIALS|FABRICATION baltic birch plywood, industrial felt, bendin plywood, standard woodworking tools and techniquesHARDWARE|SOFTWARE Ashlar-Vellum, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, pencil, watercolor, scale and full-sized models
GOYA
There’s modular seating and modular shelving, and now there’s modular food designed by Luc Bergeron and Claudio D’Amore. Touted by Barrett as the “modernist’s lunchbox,” Goya is a set of 12 flavors, ranging from corn and mashed green peas to mint jelly, that can be combined to create different varieties of food. The designers from the Ecole Cantonale d’art de Lausanne in Switzerland assert that Goya encourages people to take time to appreciate food. Both jurors welcomed the fresh, creative approach to food design.
DESIGN Luc Bergeron and Claudio D’Amore, Ecole Cantonale d’Art de Lausanne, Switzerland MATERIALS|FABRICATION packaging: injected plastic; food: Nestle industrial techniques HARDWARE|SOFTWARE hand drawings, mock-ups, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
THE HUMBLE LINK
Stephanie Mueller’s graphic design thesis questions how print is influenced by the Internet capabilities of hypertext and linking. The final presentation from the California Arts and Crafts (CCAC) in San Francisco/Oakland student includes an installation of eight experiments, a process book and five presentation companion books. Burks appreciated the project’s poetry and enjoyed the objectification of the printed matter in the installation, allowing it to transcend a “stack of books.” “It’s clear that this designer is fully engaged in an ongoing love affair with process and making as a way of knowing the world,” Barrett said.
DESIGN Stephanie Mueller, California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC), San Francisco/OaklandMATERIALS|FABRICATION paper, chipboard, book cloth for binding, PVA, museum board, found printed material, The New York Times, used books, hot and cold rolled steel, allthread, photographs, nuts, flashed screws, photography, mig welding, cold fastening, drill press, bandsaw, sketches HARDWARE|SOFTWARE Macintosh G3, QuarkXPress, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Epson printer, laser printer
ANDALE
This sleek, compact, efficient and portable cooking station was designed for the recreational family on the go and can be used in a variety of settings, including the beach. Alejandro Garfio, a student at the California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, Calif., says Andale’s easy to use, easy to clean and features a tabletop for food preparation and storage of cooking utensils. Although Burks wanted to see a less stylized version, he described the Andale as a strong consumer product that finally solves the problem of a portable grill and particularly appropriate for the Target market.
DESIGN Alejandro Garfio, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, Calif.MATERIALS|FABRICATION high-density foam, vacuum former, styrene sheets, body filler, paint HARDWARE|SOFTWARE Adobe Illustrator, Ashlar-Vellum, Adobe Photoshop