Designing
“lightness” into new products was the goal of a contest promoting
environmentally light objects. The international competition, launched
in July 2006 by Dassault Systmes and Core77, a web community for
designers, attracted 700 participants. The contest was devised to
encourage manufacturers to design environmentally friendly products.
Catia V5 provided virtual prototyping.
Participants had to
promote the notion of lightness in every way, from material selection,
energy usage, security and ergonomics to final recycling. Daniel
Sutherland of the United Kingdom was the winning contestant with his
product named “Pulse.” Its function is to streamline energy use. It
identifies products in a home left in “standby” mode that should be
switched off to save energy. The product can teach consumers to manage
and optimize their energy at home.
The first runner-up, Andres
Roppa from Uruguay, designed a biodegradable toothbrush. Manufactured
from corn or potato starch, the product has a finite lifecycle and
disintegrates upon over-usage. Waste is minimal as all graphics and
instructions are embossed on the brush itself.
The second
runner-up conceived a parasol that charges its batteries with solar
energy during the day, using this energy at night to light a built-in
lamp. Ana Maia, also based in the UK, created the parasol for use at
outdoor cafes or restaurants with exterior tables, but it can be
expanded to the garden or for camping.
“Because 80% of a
product’s environmental impacts are determined during the design phase,
the ability to anticipate stands essential,” says Philippe Forestier,
Executive Vice President Alliances, Marketing & Communications,
Dassault Systemes. “Using 100% digital prototypes, designers can test
options and identify choices that protect the product’s environmental,
technical and cost criteria early in the creation phase, getting it
right the first time.” Dassault Systemes awarded the winner and
runners-up a total of $9,000. To see the “Light Objects” competition
results, and learn more about Dassault Systmes and eco design, visit: http://www.3ds.com/changerdere.
:: Design World ::
Source: :: Design World ::
