The honorees of the Equipment category in the 2014 Core77 Design Awards do a great job keeping us more aware of and resilient to the unknowns of living life. Their preventative properties allow us to independently manage ourselves and help others in need, depending on the function. Whether it’s helping a person in need or staying safe on the job, the equipment we use on a daily basis can easily be the one tool that’s keeping us—or the person/environment we’re attending to—alive and thriving.
From life-saving medical equipment to stylish retail tools, this year’s honorees cover all types of situations, making this consistently one of the most well-received categories of the program. See what the jury—led by Sohrab Vossoughi ofZiba Design—had to say about their selections:
Professional Winner: Illumagear Halo, by Pensar and Illumagear
Illumagear and Pensar‘s Halo light works to keep construction workers more visible in a helmet lamp that fits most existing hardhats. Not only is the design fairly indestructible—the team puts it through a rigorous abuse test—the light is powered by a rechargeable battery attached to a belt or pocket via flexible, safety-release cord. The jury appreciates its necessity: “We all agree that this product is spot-on; it is clever and simple and solves a real need. The way this idea is executed is brilliant—it’s high level of functionality and straightforward interface allows it to easily integrate into the daily routine of a worker. Though simple, the final solution takes into consideration various usage scenarios. Where some may have stopped at the iconic halo of light this entrant continues to add various lighting modes to suit the task at hand."
Student Winner: Airgo, by Philip Nordmand Andersen
A jackhammer can do damage to much more than the ground beneath it if used incorrectly. Umeâ Institute of Design student Philip Normand Andersen pulls the strain off of the worker with an ergonomic wheel-arm, anti-vibration handles and a vibration monitoring app. The jury was impressed by the problem solving in the design: “The student did a great job identifying an opportunity and solving it in a way that feels natural and simple. Aesthetically, the object feels appropriate for the target industry. The key product differentiator is evident at a glance, while other improvements to the equipment are subtly integrated into the precise and sturdy form. Overall, the design solutions are clever, mature and very well integrated."
Professional Runner Up: DS4800 Series Bar Code Scanner, by Motorola Solutions Innovation & Design
It doesn’t matter if you’re in the fanciest of destination hotels or a hole-in-the-wall vintage shop on the wrong side of town, there’s one part of the consumer experience that hasn’t changed much in the past decade(s): the barcode scanner. It’s a small detail, but Motorola Solutions & Design has introduced an option that offers a bit of customized style without compromising performance. The jury was most captured by the scanner’s beautiful design: “The form of this piece is beautiful and elegant and suggests a timeless design. There are some very clever features that add to its functionality, such as the window."
Professional Runner Up: DIWire, by Pensa
There’s a reason the first comment out of the judge’s mouths was, “I want one!" Pensa Lab‘s DIWire puts the power of precise wire bending into the hands of just about anyone. The Kickstarted product allows users to quickly and simply explore shapes and structures via the first desktop CNC wire bender—from clocks to hanging lamp cages, the opportunities are pretty close to endless. “The solution celebrates the process, showcasing the wire bending mechanism, while establishing attributes of precision and durability in strong supporting roles," says the jury. “Every aspect feels appropriate and precisely crafted. This design is not just about the equipment, it’s about what the equipment enables. Extending the solution beyond the wire bender, to mini jigs that aid in final assembly of creations, demonstrates a clear understanding of the user needs and commitment to creative enablement."
Student Runner Up: NeoNook Neonatal Infant Care, by Alastair Warren and Dawid Dawod
Umeâ Institute of Design students Alastair Warren and Dawid Dawod redesigned the incubator to become more conducive to helping preterm infants heal in a womb-like environment. The system provides breathing assistance while reducing facial pressure and allowing the parents to hold and interact with their child even during treatment. “This student designed a holistic solution to a very complex problem," says the jury. “We appreciated seeing the expression of the different relationships as design considerations (i.e. doctor and baby, mother and baby). The documentation and rigor of the process was excellent."
Student Runner Up: Gerridae—Ground Sensitive Harvester, by Ilteris Ilbasan
The Gerridae—Ground Sensitive Harvester is designed to minimize the damage done during forestry operations. Umeâ Institute of Design student Ilteris Ilbasan created a vehicle that’s almost half the weight of current harvesters with a flexibility that enables better access to cabin, easier transportation, better visibility and improved articulation. The jury was impressed by the attention to detail in the various cases the machine could be used: “This student demonstrated a really deep level of thinking and very comprehensive solution to a specific problem. The articulation throughout the equipment is impressive. We liked that the student thought through the various use cases and how the object would need to contract and expand depending on what it was doing (i.e. harvesting, being transported)."
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