Unlike the traditional ventware systems, both the filter units and plates of RKS can fit easily into a dishwasher for easy cleaning. The Season Cooktop Ventware eliminates the possibility of getting outdated after few years since the replaceable face is available not only in different colors, but also in different styles.

This innovative kitchen model creates a wide range of designs at low cost, while offering an economical way for users to update and refresh the décor of their kitchen. It doesn’t matter if it is adding complementing countertops, accent color, or celebrating holidays, this ventware brings a brand new kitchen atmosphere through ultimate customizability.

Designer : RKS Design

Designer : Chevy Ho

Text from Rafael :

Problem
To develop a plant system, for a circular house, based on the silver generation theme, that would bring a comfortable time for the couple together during cooking, with a healthy life concept behind.

Concept
A product that can help them at the kitchen, integrate the environment (kitchen at the middle of the circular house), providing a healthy life style with organic foods, making the cooking moment easy, simple and fun. A hydroponic indoor system witch the aim is to rescue the pleasure of growing and prepare our own food without working hard or spend so much time, exploring the shape of the DNA molecule, the grow of a new life. The product is made simple, two vertical metal tubes where the germinated seeds of the plants are placed into some small holes around the tubes. A net hold it till it starts to grow.There also a light system, with a mobile light focus that can be programed along the path where it moves, providing the right time of light for certain plant. The hydroponic process is based on the NFT hydroponic system, a active process where a solution with nutrients its bombed from a deposit to the culture channel. Part of the root of the plant its getting a constant water flux, while the other part is in direct contact with the humid air.

Justification
Sören and his wife have not so much time together, so when they are able to have a meal at home, his wife likes to prepare it herself, with calm and love. This rare moments that the couple have together are the main point that this project explores.

Materials and Fabrication Process
3 Metal tubes; 2 running from top to bottom of the kitchen, 1 that works like a path for the light. The tubes have a shape conformation, till it reaches the shape of the DNA. They have small connexions outside the house that makes the water flux works in a cycle, with a bomb to provide this. A small programed engine makes the movement of the light along the third tube, right on the middle of the structure.

This project was based on a briefing of the International Design Award (IDA2009).

Designer : Rafael Fernando and Débora Nogueira

Interview with Nico :

What was the inspiration for your concept?
The inspiration was the experimental approach to molecular cooking. Even after several decades of molecular cuisine, it still seems to be an exclusive game for specialists. So it became my main goal to bring some of the fantastic possibilities and ideas of molecular cooking to all ambitious cooks with an easy to use, affordable appliance.

How does your concept fit into this year’s competition theme “Designs for the next 90 years”?
I think the idea of molecular cooking is forward-looking, but the procedures and methods of preparing molecular dishes are still conventional. I would like to change this with my concept. At first, the idea of printing food seems to be something straight out of a science-fiction movie, but on second thought it is not unrealistic at all. I even think that Moléculaire could be the future kitchen tool that opens up possibilities for food-makers interested in molecular cooking.

What are the main consumer benefits of your concept?
Moléculaire is a futuristic kitchen appliance that offers several new possibilities to professional chefs as well as home users. It’s based on a layer-by-layer printing technique that arranges small particles from a set of ingredients. Within minutes, it prints out three-dimensional desserts, complex structures, shapes for molecular dishes, and patterns for decorating a meal. In addition, it’s easy to use. You simply insert a blister pack into the reservoir, place Moléculaire on top of a plate, and press the start button. Users can also create their own recipes with special software and their own ingredients. Ambitious users can download recipes and share them with other users in an online community.

Describe the consumer research behind your concept.
I conducted interviews with chefs and did a lot of research on the Internet. These approaches helped me to understand users’ interests, concerns, wishes, needs and desires. The outcome shaped my initial ideas and helped them grow. The most difficult thing about designing for the future is predicting the possible social and technological developments (their direction and speed). Therefore, it was very useful to read reports like sociological studies about cooking and future scenarios about the development of new technologies.

What kind of materials would you use to build your concept?
For my concept, I would use polycarbonate as the main material. I plan on applying this material in three different variations, each providing the right characteristics for the different parts of my design. Transparent polycarbonate can be used for the window, black tinted for the lid/display, and white for the body. The robotic printer arm and head could be made from aluminum. A blue (O)LED backlight accentuates the processes inside the printer.

Who is your favorite designer?
I don‘t have a favorite designer.

What are your career goals?
After I graduate in 2010, I want to gain more professional experience in a product-design company. In the long term, I want to further develop my conceptual and strategic skills and step into product-related design management.

Designer : Nico Kläber

Designer : Tim Leeding

Designer : Rob Villa via [ProductDesignForums]

Designer : Robert Brunner

Yusuf Muhammad, was the winner of Living Room category and joint overall winner. His Yu Type design sits on the computer keyboard and allows ‘hunt and peck’ two fingered typists the opportunity to increase their speed and confidence. He is now thinking about developing the idea and hopes to include features like spell checking and predictive text to increase its appeal. Judges praised the way he addressed a social issue of an aging population within the urban context.

In response of this question “What next for your design?”, Yusuf says:

“I’m definitely going to set aside a fair chunk of the prize to develop it. There’s a lot of people who would benefit – 79% of people who use a keyboard hunt and peck, disproportionately older people and first time users, and even dyslexic users. I’m dyslexic and I would definitely benefit from a device like this.”

Dominic Hargreaves, was winner of the Garage category and a joint overall winner. His concept for a bike lock which sits at first storey level on the front of a building is designed to hoist bikes out of the reach of potential thieves. Along with Yusuf Muhammad, judges felt that Dominic’s design would benefit the most from money to develop the idea further.

In response of this question “How are you going to develop your design?”, Dominic says:

“The initial prototype was just for personal use. I would really like produce a public one, which would lead to a much better design. At a train station it would encourage commuting and free up the roads and the tube.”

Graeme Davies took the first prize in the Kitchen category. His Quicksnap icetray design solves the problem of dropping two ice cubes on the floor for every one you manage to get in the glass by creating an undercut to release individual ice cubes. Judge Lance Scott called it “An innovative solution to a very simple but annoying problem”. Graeme, who has a patent on the design, is looking to have it on sale by the summer.

In response of this question “Did you feel confident in your design?”, Graeme says:

“I think what’s really been good about it is that the design is really simple. People appreciate and get it straight away. That’s probably what made it stand out. The next stage will be tooling and hopefully we will get it in production by the summer.”

Source : Toyota iQ

The Rim is a unique timepiece. The hour and minute hands have been positioned on the outer edge of the clock face rather than the center, making it a distinctive looking product that imbues style on any space. It minimalist design sits well in all environments, from office space to living rooms or kitchen walls.

Designer : Jansen Lye

Easy Food is a system in stainless steel for the kitchen, designed to reduce work during food preparation. It is extremely innovative in terms of ergonomics, safety and technical solutions and has been designed to be very accessible to the advantage of anyone using the kitchen. The stainless steel top has been made from a single mould. This technology avoids welding and built-in elements that would increase costs and imperfections.

Food is prepared, chopped, cooked and drained from the same workstation. All this without moving pots and pans. A self-cleaning system makes the water flow away from the user, conveying it directly to the service sink. The top can be fitted with dish-drainer racks and removable and transportable sinks.

This worktop has been completed by Valcucine by adding wall-hung units, corner units with accessories that are completely accessible even by someone on a wheelchair, and by the Libera hood in stainless steel and curved tempered glass that is perfect for any ergonomic solution and the top-notch of Valcucine design.

Designer : Marco Miscioscia via Dom ShowRooms via HomeTone