By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator
Be inspired by the young design talent at the student competition display in the Hall of Global Innovation in the Lakeside Center lobby. Visit with this year’s six winners who will be present to explain their concepts for products of the future. They will receive their awards on Sunday, March 3 at 4:30 p.m. in the Innovation Theater, Lakeside Center E350. The program will also celebrate the program’s 20th anniversary with the recognition of past winners, judges and participating instructors.
The annual International Housewares Association (IHA) Student Design Competition recognizes and rewards young design talent and encourages career opportunities in the housewares industry. Over the program’s 20 years, more than 4,200 entries have been submitted, 160 professionals have served as judges, and 125 students have kick-started their careers by appearing at the Show.
The Student Design Competition began in 1993 and is recognized by design practitioners and professors as a valuable contribution to industrial design education. Industrial design students submit projects that require user and market research, design thinking, engineering drawings and tested prototypes. The rigorous requirements prepare students for real-world employer expectations. Top winners come to Chicago to exhibit their product concepts at the International Home + Housewares Show and meet industry leaders.
At the end of January, ten professional designers met at the IHA office to review 256 entries from U.S. and international universities. They selected six top winners and five honorable mentions. The judging panel was composed of industrial design professors, design consultants, design managers at IHA member companies and the design manager of a noted consumer electronics manufacturer who had won this competition in 1999.
See the list of judges here: http://www.housewares.org/show/sdc/judges.aspx
Six excited students are now preparing to meet you at the Show! More information on their projects will be available here soon.
Two First Place winners receive $3,000 each
Heman Au
Duo Kitchenware
Arizona State University, junior
Juan Jimenez
Smart Measure
University of Houston, senior
Second Place $2,000 each
Yutong Wu
Dolly+ Cart
The Ohio State University, junior
Three Third Place winners receive $1,000 each
Cole Mishler
POR Painting Organization System
Cleveland Institute of Art, senior
Yunqi Yuan
Bella Maternity Posture Support
The Ohio State University, junior
Breanna Stachowski
The Neat Seat
University of Notre Dame, senior
IHA grants $2,500 to the industrial design departments at the winners’ schools.
$415 Arizona State University
$415 Cleveland Institute of Art
$830 The Ohio State University
$415 University of Houston
$415 University of Notre Dame
Five projects earned Honorable Mention status. Each student receives $250.
Xiaolei Mao
Go Grill
Arizona State University, junior
Alexander Bennett
Certain Spice Dispenser
Rochester Institute of Technology
Justin Bechstein
Pulbak Vehicle Roof Rack
The Ohio State University, junior
Morgan Perry
Duo Press Glucagon Kit
The Ohio State University, junior
Sunoh Choe
The Rack-Over Bathroom Organizer
University of Notre Dame, senior
