Taiwan Wins Big at the 2010 iF Product Design Award

2010/02/09 | By Quincy Liang

Taiwan designers came home with 76 awards in the 2010 iF Product Design Award, the 'Oscar' of the design world. The strong showing underscored the remarkable gains Taiwan has made in recent years in turning products with world-class designs.

The 76 wins represented about almost one-tenth of all the award categories. The jury evaluated 2,486 products from 1,016 entrants in 38 countries, selecting 778 for the coveted awards.

The Taiwan entries are also well poised to join the list of 50 winners of the iF Gold Award for 'best in competition,' which will be announced during the awards ceremony on March 2, 2010, the first day of CeBit international computer show in Hanover, Germany. The iF Product Design Award Yearbook 2010 will also be published on that day.

The BenQ Group was the biggest winner in 2010 iF Product Design Award as its flagship firm BenQ Corp., an international 3C (computer, communication, and consumer electronics) brand, won eight prizes, while its affiliated QisDesign (the design business division of Qisda Corp., which focuses on OEM/ODM manufacturing) won nine prizes, the most among all local counterparts.

The information and communication technology (ICT) industry was again the strongest of the Taiwan sectors in the award running. Asustek Computer Inc. won eight prizes, Lite-On Technology Corp. won six, and MiTAC International Corp. took home four prizes.

The 2010 iF Product Design Award included 16 categories: 1. Transportation Design, 2. Leisure/Lifestyle, 3. Audio/Video, 4. Telecommunications, 5. Computers, 6. Office/Business, 7. Lighting, 8. Furniture/Home Textiles, 9. Kitchen/Household, 10. Bathroom/Wellness, 11. Buildings, 12. Public Design/Interior Design, 13. Medicine/Healthcare, 14. Industry/Skilled Trades, 15. Special Vehicles/Construction/Agriculture, and 16. Advanced Studies.

In rendering its decisions, the jury noted that in economically uncertain times, design is a decisive factor in terms of market success and value creation, with many of the submitted products setting new benchmarks in their respective fields. According to jury chairman Fritz Frenkler,: "Good design isn't born of good marketing, it's created by designers."

The editorial team of the DIT (Design & Innovation in Taiwan) magazine profiles below a select sampling of the 76 winning products from Taiwan.

e-moving / Electric scooter

Category: 01. Transportation Design

Design: China Motor Corp. (CMC)

Under the "CMC e-moving" concept, CMC takes emphasizes ease and pleasure of use and visual appeal in its scooter models.

Heimdallr / Bike lock

Category: 02. Leisure / Lifestyle

Design: Real Locks & Security Co. Ltd.

The Heimdallr bicycle lock simultaneously provides traffic safety and parking security. Safe, secure and convenient to use, the new lock integrates a headlight, rear light and U-lock, making it an ideal accessory for safe riding and safe bicycle parking.

Bicycle Component / Quick release seat post clamp

Category: 02. Leisure / Lifestyle

Design: Bikeforce

This seat clamp has a quick release handle with a spherical look on both ends. The handle has an even surface, can rotate 360 degrees, and can be locked or unlocked in every angle.

Fast-Fit Capo / Guitar capo

Category: 02. Leisure / Lifestyle

Design: Johnson Musical Accessories Mfg. Co.

The fast-fit capo can be quickly and easily moved and clamped on the frets of a guitar. It does this with a string press element, a trigger and a lever clamp. The capo can be quickly and easily be used with one hand while playing guitar.

Full Carbon Wheel Set / Racing bike wheel set

Category: 02. Leisure / Lifestyle

Design: Joy Industrial Co., Ltd.

"Craft-W999" is a high performance wheel set, designed for new generation of road racing. The patented oval hub design provides low air resistance and fast speedup, improving rider safety and comfort. The Craft-W999 has streamline hubs, high profile carbon rims, and carbon spokes, offering an optimal union of rigidity, weight and design.

TAICHI Vogue Bag / Bag

Category: 02. Leisure / Lifestyle

Design: Jean Dah Enterprises Co.

The TAICHI Vogue Bag is made of PU materials using special welding techniques to improve the elasticity of the fabric. The material is also scratch-resistant and durable.

QIR-103 / Digital radio device

Category: 03. Audio / Video

Design: QisDesign

The QIR-103 is a digital radio device combining a personal media player, a digital photo frame and a stylish digital alarm clock. It sports a 3.5-inch touch screen display and an intuitive user interface. Photos, videos and MP3 files can be read from a built-in Micro-SD card slot or USB interface.

BenQ V2200TW / LED monitor

Category: 03. Audio / Video

Design: BenQ Corp.

BenQ V2200TW is a power-saving 22-inch LED TV with a simple design with curvy wood layers. The shell is made with recyclable plastic, reducing the unit's carbon footprint, and package printing has also been reduced for eco-considerations.

iConcerto / Tube amplifier with iPod dock

Category: 03. Audio / Video

Design: Add-On Technology Co., Ltd.

This vacuum-tube amplifier combines analog sound technology with digital iPod-technology to deliver warm rich tube sound. On the top of the aluminum housing reside three vacuum tubes accommodated by thee polished aluminum horns. The main controls are clearly arranged on the front. The backside is slightly recessed to stow the cables.

QCM-330 / Smartphone

Category: 04. Telecommunications

Design: QisDesign

The QCM-330 smartphone sports a four-inch widescreen display with 1:1.25 aspect ratio and standard 1280 x 1024 resolution and 3.5G and Wi-Fi wireless connection, enabling full-size browsing on the phone. The display is contoured with silver metal to highlight the navigation key for better a grip and sleek feel.

VOX? Touch / Bluetooth headset

Category: 04. Telecommunications

Design: Icon 7 Inc.

Joining a streamlined design and innovative technology, Icon7's VOX Touch Multipoint Bluetooth Headset provides a high-quality user experience thanks to its superb full-touch control design and Multipoint capability. Users can switch to phone mode with a simple finger glide. The proprietary charging stand is foldable to facilitate traveling, and the magnetic wall-mount design saves space on your working desk.

QTD-101 / 21-inch touch screen display

Category: 05. Computers

Design: QisDesign

The QTD-101 is a 21-inch touch screen display designed for graphic use. Adjusting the screen angle is one of the most frequently used functions in using such a display device. The QTD-101 stand design allows users to easily adjust the screen by pressing on a button at the back of the screen. On both sides of the main body are six hotkeys, which can be configured by users according to their needs. It can easily be operated by either a right-handed or left-handed user.

QEB-101 / Six inch e-book

Category: 05. Computers

Design: QisDesign

The QEB-101 is a six-inch e-book device that aims to mimic the experience of flipping book pages. The leather cover not only protects the screen from damage but also enhances the visual and tactile appeal of the device. The touch screen display can be operated by a stylus or touch to turn the page, enlarge or reduce the text size and also to take notes, providing an intuitive user experience.

BenQ Nscreen Touch / Desktop PC

Category: 05. Computers

Design: BenQ Corp.

BenQ Lifestyle Design Center is positioning this 21.5-inch all-in-one touch panel computer as a home information and communication platform. Users can also use the BenQ Nscreen Touch to make Skype and landline calls.

Lapcool Sound-mini / Notebook cooling pad with speaker

Category: 05. Computers

Design: Vantec Technology Inc.

The light and high performance double fan "Lapcool sound-mini" protects notebooks safely for overheating and improves the ergonomics of notebook use. Even airflow draws off heat from the notebook. The speaker function can be operated with an integrated volume control. The digital all-in-one USB 2.0 audio system delivers rich sound for its size. The power supply is powered by USB, so no external adapter is necessary.

S243HL / Computer monitor

Category: 05. Computers

Design: Acer Inc.

The Acer S243HL monitor sports a razor-thin depth of less than half an inch, creating a sleek, minimalist look. It is encased in black bezel and has a unique asymmetrical shape. Adding form to the elegantly simple design is a cylinder hinge on the rear and an L-shaped base with brushed-metal finish, accented by an LED light that glows in soft blue when power is on.

Apacer SmartBadge / USB drive

Category: 05. Computers

Design: Apacer Technology Inc.

Apacer's SmartBadge (SB) provides combines secure storage needs. It has four USB drives and includes a dongle with USB, RFID reader and security software capabilities, providing ample storage capacity and easy data handling. The RFID function enforces data security by giving access to "Security Zone" labeled info only when the user is within 1.5-m distance from the badge. Without the badge and dongle, only information in the "Public Zone" is accessible.

BAMBRIGHT / Linear LED linear light

Category: 07. Lighting

Design: Alliance Optotek Corp.

The BAMBRIGHT LED cabinet linear light is energy-saving, durable and recyclable. It has a slender and polyhedral aluminum alloy casing, is easy to install, and offers wide light angle adjustment ability.

Aurora MR16 / LED Lighting

Category: 07. Lighting

Design: Aeon Lighting Technology Inc.

The Aurora MR16 is combines stability, durability, high-brightness, and low weight in one small package. It uses an award-winning patented thermal conduction technology and a high-density aluminum housing. With 48 aluminum fins, the Aurora has the highest heat dissipation area in the LED industry for the MR16. Beam angles include 38, 60, and 120 degrees.

Coloring LED light / Coloring LED down-light

Category: 07. Lighting

Design: Liteon Technology Corp.

This new multi-colored dimmable LED DC light is the first of its kind that can provide users with traditional lighting as well as different colored mood lighting. It can emit color temperatures from 2700 - 6500 and users can choose their favorite color with the PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming function controller. Compared to traditional dimming down-light, the 55mm thickness of this new coloring LED dimming light can reduce 70% of product size, enabling easier ceiling installation.

Charming/ Kitchen faucet collection

Category: 09. Kitchen /Household

Design: Shengtai Brassware Co., Ltd.

The oval shape with raised cambered surface is the main design element of the Charming kitchen faucet collection. The inner-swiveling design reduces the number of seams where dirt could be accumulated. The diverter, which connects the body and sprayer, can shut off the supply of water when using the sprayer, and water supply is restored when the sprayer is shut. The faucet comes in twin-handle and single-handle models, with or without the sprayer.

Still One / Water drinking faucet

Category: 09. Kitchen /Household

Design: Shengtai Brassware Co., Ltd.

Proving that "less is more," the Still One faucet has short lines and a simple shape integrating practicality and elegance into a concise unit that can fit general kitchen arrangements and save space. The stainless steel valve has a long lifespan and is easy to use.

KAC-J25D / Air purifier

Category: 09. Kitchen /Household

Design: Nova Design Co., Ltd.

This slim and high-tech air purifier has an intuitive user interface and minimalist design. The soft rounded edges are child-safe, and the multicolored display panel gives immediate feedback on current air quality.

KING t / Tailor shears

Category: 09. Kitchen /Household

Design: Nusharp Inc

The KINGt tailor shears are designed so that only one blade moves use, minimizing zigzagging and slipping for easier and straighter cuts. Blades can be easily replaced tool-free.

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