There were plenty of winners of Silver awards in this year's International Design Excellence Awards, with gongs going to a diverse array of products and concepts. Again, the emphasis was on products that created an enjoyable, easy experience for its users. So the patient table in an exam room was reconsidered from the patient's point of view, or snorkeling fins were designed to be as easy to slip on as a pair of shoes.

Hit the jump to see our faves of this year's Silver winners, or click here to see all 47 of them.

(From the top:)

HP Firebird - HP (U.S.); Astro Studios (U.S.)

The HP Firebird is a hybrid performance PC for media and gaming enthusiasts. It was designed for core gamers and media users who need great performance but also have an interest in lower power consumption, energy efficiency, and a superquiet machine.

Dell Studio Hybrid - Experience Design Group, Dell (U.S.); NewDealDesign (U.S.)

The Studio Hybrid desktop features an ultra-compact footprint, an eco-conscious focus, and a stylish, organic shape. It can be personalized with nine interchangeable color casings and oriented vertically or horizontally to fit any environment. The Studio Hybrid represents Dell's shift from a cost-centric ideology to a customer-centered approach in which design, experience, personal choice, and sustainability are the key drivers of the business.

Microsoft Arc Notebook Mouse - One & Co. (U.S.); Microsoft Hardware Group (U.S.); Cad-Based Solutions (U.S.)

The Microsoft Arc is a wireless notebook mouse intended for mobile laptop users. With an innovative hinge design, Arc reduces to almost half its full size when snapped shut. But it provides complete comfort, similar to a desktop mouse, when opened to its full size.

LINK LED Task Lamp - Peter Stathis & Virtual Studio (U.S.)

This task lamp puts the light right where you need it. A concentrated array of 15 high-power LEDs provides a brighter light output than most other lamps in this category. Its 180-degree movement allows precise adjustability without taking up valuable work space. And its ultraslim profile, smooth bright details, and colorful finishes reflect today's electronic age.

VERTU Void Phone for 2015 - Norihiko Inoue, Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design (U.K.)

Although mobile phones get thinner each year, the screens must maintain a minimum size in order to be functional. In this concept, electronic components are incorporated into the phone's outer shell to maintain the convenience of size, leaving empty space inside.

Steelcase i2i - IDEO (U.S.)

The i2i chair—named for the eye-to-eye engagement it is intended to encourage—is at the intersection of task and lounge chairs. It provides long-term comfort through automatic and intuitive adjustments and supports a variety of postures with simple mechanisms and pliant structures. Visually striking and elegant, the chair is appropriate for a wide demographic.

Canal+ Le Cube - fuseproject (U.S.)

Le Cube is an integrated set-top box, remote, and user-interface ecosystem that offers a new way to interact with your television. Le Cube is about more than entertainment: before you even turn on the TV, the backlit LED area displays the weather, time, or an alarm alerts users to their favorite shows.

TRIBORD R'gomoove - Tribord Design Team; Oxylane Group (France)

The new R'gomoove snorkeling fins are the result of advanced research into aquatic propulsion. The angled blade makes for more comfortable kicking and helps reduce hyperextension of the feet. The Velcro strap adjustment system provides a closer fit and improved ergonomics and makes the flippers as easy to pull on as shoes.

Slip Grips Image - Stanton Burns, Auburn University (U.S.)

Slip Grips help those with limited hand mobility to manipulate objects that they would otherwise be unable to use. This device is used by slipping the finger holds over the thumb and forefinger, and then snapping objects into place via the clip. At a slight angle, the clip directs objects downward, giving the user a natural range of motion.