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1 Hour Design Challenge: WINNER ANNOUNCED!

By Core Jr - July 2, 2008

in Events

It's big, it's brawny, it's dude heaven! (No - not mud wrestling!) Power Tools! This month we challenged Core readers to flex their skills and design the next greatest piece of mechanical muscle in one hour or less. Together with guest judge Brian Matt of Altitude, Inc. we've narrowed it down to a selection that would make Tim Allen proud. Here are the results:

First Place: Air Force

Second Place: Hacksaw

Third Place: Thor Chainsaw

Be sure to read Brian's valuable comments after the jump...From the desk of Brian Matt:

AirForce This tool platform certainly has modularity going for it. I really like the way so many feature snap onto one body. Sometimes I worry about multifunction tool being good at everything and not great any anything, but I think the designer selected just the right variations to illustrate the innovation. The design needs to be toned down quite a bit, but it has the right spirit.

Handsaw Even though I didn't see any "power" in this power tool, I am really drawn to this concept. The presentation is simple and the design is elegant. For a handsaw, it is packed with innovative features. I can really see myself using the flat side of the blade to scribe my cut line at either 90 or 45 degrees. It also has a scale for measurement. The pencil sharpener in the handle is genius. The handle looks simple and comfortable. The overall form is handsome. If the designer is taking orders, I'll buy one today.

Thor Chainsaw How can you go wrong with an outdoor power tool called Thor? Wow! This concept wreaks manliness. I think the intended audience will go nuts over this (makes me think of Tim on Tool Time going "arrgh...arrgh." The design really complements the name. It looks like a hybrid between a reciprocating saw and a very unique chainsaw blade. This product really reads 'electric' with the shape and battery detail. I also don't see a power cord or a pull start. The designer thought through many details such as a plunge feature on the blade, a safety switch on the protective handle, and a great place for the trigger."

See all the entries here.

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susi

16 years ago

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i just can't stand these over-styled gadgets anymore. on one hand, we are all talking about eco-design and sustainability and on the other hand, there are people bringing out such creepy, life-styled, short-live products, we are going to throw away, 'cause there has come out another creepy product, somebody tells us to need. where is that, maybe naive but still honorable, wish for a design that does not want to try to look like it was something else. is the industrial design becoming a part of this car styling movement?

and just like dave wrote before, the napkin spirit would , maybe, prevent us from the high glossy, no-depth-only-surface appearance of product ideas. i really hope that design students, as they should still think freely and question industrial products, stop styling around and start thinking about the original purpose of industrial design.
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dave

16 years ago

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nice rendering, but in 1hr? you have to be flying through the drawing to do that and the concept work takes no time?

let's get back to the "napkin" spirit! about ideas not a rendering contest!!!!!

hand saw presentation is great, simple and believable in 1hr.
all in all i love the 1hr contest idea!
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