The best way to predict the future is to invent it
In a tough economic climate, innovative, ingenious design thinking is the driving force behind successful businesses, large and small, in all parts of the globe
Ontario, Canada
Waste management
The ugly sight of overflowing metal skips outside homes could itself be consigned to the bin. U-Box-It has developed a lightweight, compact disposable bin for the removal of DIY and cumbersome household waste. Made from recycled materials (and itself recyclable), U-Box-It comes flat-packed at a size that fits into most family cars. It normally takes a month to fill one container, which can hold up to 450kg, and U-Box-It takes it away again when full.
São Paulo, Brazil
Economy wash
Sustainable design agency Chelles & Hayashi has created an award-winning washing machine that reduces the environmental impact of the weekly wash. Fewer raw materials are used in the manufacture of the super-light, semi-automatic Super Pop Washing Machine, which costs $150. The water input system can be connected to a tap to lessen waste.
Taunusstein, Germany
Green bottles
A reusable water bottle may sound anachronistic, but Irish designer Orla Kiely’s brainwave may help fashion-conscious consumers dump traditional mineral water brands for the tap. Kiely has teamed up with German-headquartered BRITA to create “the world’s first reusable designer water bottle”. Available in the UK for £7.95, the ‘Wottle’ is made from 100% recycled materials.
Bromma, Sweden
Protective measures
Serial award-winning company Ergonomidesign has become famous for designing products based on “true user needs and abilities, not purely aesthetics”. The latest example is the Speedglas SL, a welding helmet with auto-darkening filter that protects the user’s eyes while working. Its lightweight construction is more comfortable for users.
Tehran, Iran
Hang time
Eslimi is a new, flexible hanger created by Gooyadesign that allows users to store and remove their T-shirts quicker and more conveniently. The plastic hanger bends in the middle, allowing it to enter and leave T-shirts through the neck opening. When released, the two arms of the hanger extend to the shirt’s sleeves. Sometimes the simple things make the biggest difference.
Beijing, China
Cool invention
Chinese companies such as market leader Broad Air Conditioning continue to set the pace in the creation of clean technologies. Its pioneering cooling sytems can be powered by waste heat or solar energy. Broad estimates its products have reduced CO2 emissions by 10 million tons.
I started Tesla so I could build the kind of electric car I’d like to drive. Every electric car that had been around previously had been designed by people who thought of driving as a necessary evil Martin Eberhard, Tesla Motors founder
California, USA
Cleaner driving
American buyers have just taken delivery of a Tesla Roadster, the world’s first zero-emission production sportscar. The vehicle can travel 220 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery and accelerate from 0-60mph in just 3.9 seconds. Some 1,500 new Roadsters are planned for 2009, with prices starting at $98,000. Tesla’s financial backers include PayPal co-founder Elon Musk, Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page as well as former eBay president Jeff Skoll.
London, UK
Home comforts
Brits will have no excuse for making bad interior design choices if former dot com pioneer Brent Hoberman’s new venture takes off. The lastminute.com founder’s new website, mydeco.com, has ‘Plan My Room’ pages that use 3D software. Visitors can replicate rooms within their homes, apply paint or wallpaper and then place high street and niche furnishing products, linking through to buy them online.
Czech Republic
Beer talk
Inspired by a growing group of homebrewers, many new Czech micro-breweries are creating innovative beers, including Rambousek’s chestnut-honey lager. Bigger brewers are also getting in on the act. Pilsner Urquell has created two new beers inspired by a 16th-century text. The Czech Republic is the world’s ninth largest beer exporter and could reach seventh place by 2012.
Billund, Denmark
Toy story
Transformation of LEGO’s design function is fuelling its success. The world’s sixth-largest toy-maker announced pre-tax profits of £143m in 2007. Revenue was £85m – a 2.9% increase on 2006. LEGO’s innovation process is governed by Design for Business, a system that aligns corporate goals with design strategy. LEGO’s Billund design function is home to 120 designers from 15 countries.
South Korea
Digital redesign
Bored with your MP3 player? Transform it yourself. The ID+IM lab team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has designed the cross-shaped Nanum, which can be folded into a cube. All profits from sales of the pink $40 player go to an education charity ($500,000 has already been generated).
Delhi, India
One small leap
HCL, one of the world’s largest computer manufacturers, is taking laptops to the Indian mass market with the MiLeap X. Priced at just £160, the product is aimed at children from middle-class Indian families. The ultra-portable, shock-proof laptop features a seven-inch screen, LAN connection, integrated WiFi and built-in speaker.
Auckland, New Zealand
Record breaker
A trimaran powered by biodiesel has smashed the world record for fastest circumnavigation of the globe by powerboat. Earthrace’s voyage took just 61 days, as recycled animal fat and soya beans provided speeds of up to 55mph. The Craig Loomes Design Group was responsible for the vessel, parts of which are made from a hemp composite.
Article first published in Design Council Magazine, Issue 5, Winter 2008