Enter a caption (optional)

The first group of winners in IDSA's International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) have been announced! This year is a momentous one for the prestigious design competition, marking its 35th year during IDSA's 50th anniversary celebrations. We were really happy to see a few of our Core77 2015 Design Awards honorees among the group: Jibo,  Merge and Staples Back-To-School 2015. Though we encourage you to check out all of the winners, we parsed the 83 projects awarded with a Bronze distinction and chose 10 stand-outs. And keep an eye out for the IDSA International Conference on August 22nd, when the remaining Gold and Silver winners will be announced. 

Enter a caption (optional)

Forest Wizard is a device system that improves detection and treatment of forest fires. Installed as a network in the forest, monitors send alerts to relief workers with the precise location of the fire scene, while an accompanying app sends warnings about danger zones to residents. The system is practical even in non-emergency situations, serving as a trail of markers to guide travel enthusiasts. 

Enter a caption (optional)

Inspired by sellotape, the student project Easy Welding aims to create a safer, more efficient option for welding work. The strips adhere to metal and contain a metal element inside which fuses to the surface through chemical reactions—significantly decreasing the difficulty of welding and making it much more accessible. 

Enter a caption (optional)

AnXiang YunNan Steam Pot marries the best of tradition and modern technology—adapting the design of an ancient steam pot from Yunnan, China known for its ability to extract a ton of flavor out of ingredients.

Enter a caption (optional)

The Air Nut monitors indoor and outdoor environments, with a primary goal of allowing users to better understand their living environments and increase their eco-consciousness. The device monitors temperature, moisture, air quality and air pressure and can also connect to Wi-Fi to function as, for example, an alarm clock. 

Enter a caption (optional)

Printing Solar-cell: Design & Print Your Own Solar Panel is a cartridge module that prints solar-cells on an everyday ink-jet printer—giving users unprecedented access to solar technology, ease of use and customization options. 

Enter a caption (optional)

Unlike conventional headphones, AfterShokz Bluez 2  use bone conduction technology to deliver sound through the cheekbones to the inner ears, allowing the ears to remain completely open without forgoing sound quality. 

Enter a caption (optional)

One Foundation is a disaster relief organization in China, focusing on provinces that are most often struck by earthquakes. Their first product, One Foundation Disaster Relief Tent, is designed from the users point of view and features a simple yet sturdy structure, with optional additional layers of protection and an extendable roof canopy. 

Enter a caption (optional)

Though the Adidas Smart Ball is designed with 14-17 year old soccer players in mind, it's ingenious feedback system measuring speed, spin and trajectory on a paired device will probably appeal to a wider audience. 

Enter a caption (optional)

TuffBlocks are intended to take out the most complicated part of deck construction: the foundation. Each piece weighs only 1.5 pounds, but  can support more than 11,000 pounds and is designed to accommodate several standard joists. 

Enter a caption (optional)

Since we all carry our smartphones around anyway, RYOBI has come up with a way to leverage our device to revolutionize the way we use tools. RYOBI Phone Works uses a series of attachments—including a laser level, moisture meter, stud finder and laser distance measure—and combines their readings with an accompanying app that allows users to create and access project files, create HD images and videos as well as easily upload and share results.