Though the winners of the INDEX: Award 2009 won't be announced until late August, work from all 72 of the finalists have been posted here. This group of international designers addresses the theme "Design to Improve Life" through the categories of Body, Home, Work, Play and Community. Pictured above are Brad Pitt's Pink Project (related to the New Orleans housing project mentioned here), Christien Meindertsma's Pig 05049 Book, and Kennedy and Violich's Portable Light.

To celebrate the achievements of the finalists, Index:Design to Improve Life has launched a special project called "In Their Own Words," featuring interviews from the designers. While you are browsing, be on the lookout for these highlights in the descriptions of each project. The first few installments can be found here and here.