This week the 2007 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) Winners were announced. Business Week presented the 81 winners, in 14 different categories, in a rather classically designed slideshow.
Among the 2007 IDEA winners are some stunning pieces of design. From the futuristic looking Universal Toilet, for both disabled and general population, to the already famous split-head framing hammer. Almost every winner is not only a great looking object, but also developed around usability.
Design Is More Than Beauty Only
Beauty is good looking, but good design is more. Good design is developed with the user in mind. Great design is highly functional.
Whether the the highly praised Mobile Clinical Assistant or the LOMAK – Light Operated Mouse And Keyboard, brilliant design serves a purpose, serves its user.
Design Is Also Presentation
But that’s not all. Great design also needs a good presentation. Presentation can ruin a lot. Even terrific design. One of the 2007 IDEA winners is a simple, but IMO brilliant concept: Roll N’ Roll. Chopsticks, but not your ordinary chopsticks. Portable fun chopsticks with an environmental twist.
Roll n’ Roll are portable, personal chopsticks that give people an environmentally responsible, sanitary tableware alternative when in public. They are made of a thin metal slice that can be rolled vertically to form a straw or chopstick, or horizontally into a small cylinder that coils around the wrist like a bracelet ensuring Roll n’ Roll are always there when you need them. Since Roll n Roll are more portable and fun than traditional chopsticks, the designer hopes to reduce the use of disposable chopsticks, which in turn will lessen the consumption of precious natural resources.
I love the concept. Really simple but brilliant at the same time. Brilliant until I saw the picture Business Week used for its slideshow.
Suddenly I was reminded of all the shortcomings of the portable fun chopsticks. Minor details, details such as hygiene. I was reminded of all the germs I’ld carry around after having enjoyed a lovely Indonesian meal. Sweat taste flavoring my next Bourbon Sour.
And all that because of… one anorexic arm. An arm reminding me of a movie. A movie and a sin, a deathly sin: Se7en and Sloth.
Originally posted on July 25, 2007 @ 3:35 pm