cool products in 21st century

iSub/SoundSticksYear: 2000 Gold AwardClient: Apple

Design: Harman Kardon and Apple$169.95

Harman Kardon teamed up with Apple to manufacture

the iSub/SoundSticks. Widely admired for a

stunning aesthetic, the speakers and subwoofer

feature a simple, translucent design. The product is still available

today.

OrangeX OJex Manual JuicerYear: 2000

Gold AwardClient: OrangeX

Design: Smart Design$129.99

Made from cast iron, the Ojex juicer inverted the traditional crank mechanism to reduce

size. It boosted the small Venezuelan company's

revenue from $1.5 million in 1999 to more than $2 million in

2001. In 2005 the company was bought by Focus Products

Group, which continues to distribute the juicer as the

Olympus Manual Citrus Juicer.

SwifferYear: 2000

Silver AwardClient: Procter & Gamble

Design: Joss$13.99

Procter & Gamble's fastest-selling product, Swiffer uses

throwaway cloths and lightweight materials to make an alternative to traditional mops or brooms. Swiffer raised the company's profits by 5% the year it was

released. Since then the line has been expanded to Swiffer WetJet, Duster, and Vacuum and remains

one of P&G's best-selling products.

50 COOL PRODUCTS IN THE 21st CENTURY

Rubbermaid Paint BuddyYear: 2005

Bronze AwardClient: Rubbermaid

Design: Beyond Design, Shur-Line $9.99

These paint applicators from Newell Rubbermaid represent a new way of thinking about

painting. Leftover paint from a project is stored inside a

sealed container, which has an attached roller applicator. Whenever a touch-up is

needed, simply pull the Paint Buddy from storage and roll the stored paint on the wall.

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IntelliMouse ExplorerYear: 2000

Silver AwardClient: Microsoft

Design: Surface Strategy, Microsoft$39.95

The first of its kind, Microsoft’s IntelliMouse Explorer is an optical tracking mouse that

performs better than traditional devices with roller-ball

mechanisms. It quickly became the world's best-selling mouse. Since then, updated versions

of the mouse have been released.

Xootr ScooterYear: 2000

Silver AwardClient: Nova Cruz ProductsDesign: Lunar Design, Nova

CruzFrom $199

The Xootr scooter folds down in 10 seconds. Its light weight and portability made it a hit in urban areas and helped stoke the scooter

fad. In 2003, Nova Cruz was sold and renamed Xootr,

which continues to manufacture the product

today.

Bodum SantosYear: 2001

Gold AwardClient: Bodum

Design: Bodum Design Group$79.95

Bodum's Santos coffee maker is a time-controlled vacuum

coffee brewer. The glass carafe lends a sophisticated

look, while the machine brews coffee quickly and with less sediment than others. For a

time, Starbucks sold the brewer as Utopia, and it's still

available.

Nike PSA Play 120Year: 2001

Gold AwardClient: Nike

Design: Rio Audio, Nike Discontinued

Nike created a digital audio player that can be attached to an athlete's arm or worn around the hip. It was light, comfortable, and easy to control while running or

playing sports. While Nike is still in the music-and-sport

business, it has dropped the original.

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UNO Waffle MakersYear: 2001

Silver AwardClient: Williams-Sonoma

Design: VillaWare$59.95

The high-end waffle maker continues to win over

homebodies with its chic design and portability. Today the high-end waffle maker is

also available in different shapes, such as a heart, and it is still sold through Williams-

Sonoma stores.

Storex 3-Ring BinderYear: 2001

Bronze AwardClient: Storex IndustriesDesign: Gad Shaanan

Design$8.99

These binders' eye-popping colors and semi-transclucent

covers appeal to both executives and teenagers. They are still sold in major

office-supply stores such as OfficeMax.

Polaroid I-zone Instant Pocket Camera

Year: 2001Bronze AwardClient: Polaroid

Design: IDEO and PolaroidDiscontinued

This instant Polaroid camera became a hit with its mini-

sticker photographs. But as digital photography became dominant, Polaroid stopped manufacturing instant-film

products in 2008

iPodYear: 2002

Gold AwardClient: AppleDesign: Apple

$249

With its sleek design, intuitive menu system, and trusty

operating system, the iPod has become the poster

product for intelligent design. The product turned Apple into

more than a computer company. But lately iPod

sales have begun dropping—everyone, it seems, already

has one.

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MacYear: 2002

Gold AwardClient: AppleDesign: Apple$1,199-$2,199

Apple set a new design standard with this all-in-one

desktop computer. The LCD flat-panel display and spherical

computer base connect via a stainless steel neck, which

doubles as a carrying handle and monitor tilt. Though

redesigned, the iMac is still one of the sleekest computers on the

market today.

Kobe TwoYear: 2002

Silver AwardClient: Adidas

Design: Adidas Discontinued

Kobe Twos were the Air Jordans of the 2000s. The

basketball shoes had a hood-covered lace area, a

herringbone-patterned outsole for extra stability, and an

adjustable midfoot stability and internal bootie provided

unheard of support. The shoes' reign ended when NBA star Kobe Bryant jumped to Nike

Venus RazorYear: 2002

Bronze AwardClient: GilletteDesign: Gillette

$13.99

Before Procter & Gamble acquired Gillette in 2005, the razor company had scored

with the Venus refillable razor for women. The design

features an oval cartridge and an organizer that stores the waterproof refill blades. Today, it's the No. 1 female

shaver.

PalmPeelerYear: 2007

Gold AwardClient: Chef'nDesign: Chef'n

$6.99

The PalmPeeler is a great example of how design

thinking can revive a stale product. Chef'n changed the

typical peeler from a knife-like handled device into a palm-

fitting, ergonomic square that slides on the finger like a ring.

It's safer and far more comfortable and efficient than traditional peelers. They are

still widely available.

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Palm Zire Handheld Computer

Year: 2003 Gold AwardClient: Palm

Design: NewDealDesign, Palm

Discontinued

The Palm Zire offered a thin PDA that incorporated a long-lasting power source and a unique flip lid. Palm

discontinued the Zire series when PDAs began to be

replaced by smartphones.

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Samsung LT17E3 17-inch LCD TV

Year: 2003Gold Award

Client: Samsung ElectronicsDesign: Samsung Electronics

Discontinued

Samsung designers gave the back of this television as much thought as the front. They did away with office-style knobs or buttons and concealed the set's controls and cord. The finished

product looked more like a traditional television than popular sets at the time, which resembled computer monitors. The TV has

since been replaced by more advanced models.

Michael Graves Design Cross-Cut Paper Shredder

Year: 2003Silver AwardClient: Target

Design: Michael Graves & Associates

Discontinued

This product neatly combined a paper shredder, pencil

sharpener, and a trash can. Target eventually replaced the

design with newer items, but this product, designed by famed architect Michael Graves,

showed the benefit of applying design thinking to something as

ordinary as office supplies.

Evenflo Triumph Convertible Car Seat

Year: 2003Silver Award

Client: EvenfloDesign: IDEO and Evenflo

Discontinued

The five different positions and molded shoulder belt on this

child's car seat ensured safety and comfort. In 2007, the

product was recalled due to a faulty handle, but its innovative functionality sparked a new era

in car seat design. Updated Triumphs, now tagged as

Advance, sell today.

COOL PRODUCTS IN THE 21st CENTURY

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Airfoil Pro Triathlon BicycleYear: 2004

Gold AwardClient: Kestrel Bicycle

Designer: IDE$2,599

Cutting-edge aerodynamics and new manufacturing

techniques made this bike a performance machine. The

design also allowed Kestrel to bring the bike to market

quicker and at about half the cost. The rear of the bike was designed to function as a sail and propel the rider forward.

Kestrel still sells the bike today.

Infinity ClimberYear: 2004

Gold AwardClient: Little TikesDesign: Little Tikes

$2,951

Unlike much conventional playground equipment, the Infinity Climber combines

shapes and structural design to develop children's motor skills. Today, the climber is

still a major part of Little Tikes' product offerings.

Aliph JawboneYear: 2004

Silver AwardClient: Aliph

Design: Fuseproject$129

Setting a new standard for headsets, the Aliph Jawbone

uses "active noise suppression" to allow users to talk, hear, and

be heard in loud environments. A sensor rests against the face and

detects when the mouth is moving, which activates the noise suppression. The Jawbone is still

a hit—it's the top-selling Bluetooth accessory on the

market.

Ogio StingerYear: 2004

Silver AwardClient: Ogio International

Design: Ogio International, AK Designs, Redbird Design Studio

Discontinued

Ogio invented several technologies for its Stinger golf

bag: There was a handle just for pulling it out of the car, an

extender arm that locked to golf carts, and a unique, zipperless

ball bag. It was eventually supplanted by newer Ogio

product lines, but golfers still search for this model all over the

Internet.


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BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Active

Year: 2004Bronze Award

Client: BabyBjörnDesign:

ErgonomiDesignGruppen and BabyBjörn

$129.95

An alternative to strollers, the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier

has adjustable shoulder straps to provide back

support for parents who prefer to tote their little ones. Today, an updated version of the BabyCarrier Active is

still sold.

Motorola Razr V3 Year: 2005

Gold AwardDesign: MotorolaDesign: Motorola

Discontinued

Initially marketed as a fashion mobile-phone, the Razr V3

appealed to both tech enthusiasts and trendsetters. By the end of 2008, Motorola had sold more

than 110 million units. The company could never duplicate the success of the Razr, but it's still reaping the benefits of the older design: slightly updated

versions of the V3 are sold widely.

Platinum IIYear: 2005

Gold AwardClient: NetGear

Designers: NewDealDesign and NetGear

Discontinued

This sleek modem represented a new generation of modems and

networking gear. Rather than ugly black boxes with several blinking lights and protruding antennas, NetGear designers housed the

components in a sleek white case. The Platinum II has been replaced

by updated models, but its influence is obvious. Most

modems on the market mimic its design.

Mac MiniYear: 2005

Gold AwardClient: AppleDesign: Apple

$599-$799

The Mac Mini took the software and computing power of its

bigger brethren and shrunk it into a shell the size of two

stacked CD jewel cases. Its lack of monitor, keyboard, and

mouse kept costs low and allowed customers to choose whatever models they liked. The Mini is still the cheapest

Mac on the market.


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iRobot RoombaYear: 2005

Bronze AwardClient: iRobot

Design: Herbst LaZar Bell$129-$549

The Roomba turned vacuuming from a manual chore to a

background process. The iRobot device continually makes it way

around a room to vacuum, leaving homeowners free to do

other things. To date, iRobot had sold more than 2.5 million

Roombas and expanded the line to models that clean swimming pools, sweep shop floors, and

mop kitchens.

LeapFrog LeapPad FamilyYear: 2005

Bronze AwardClient: LeapFrogDesign: Whipsaw

Discontinued

These interactive learning devices used a cartridge and interactive screen to teach children vocabulary, math, science, and social studies.

Three years in the making, the LeapPad became the flagship

product for LeapFrog and made it one of the fastest-growing toy companies. In 2008, Leapfrog

supplanted the LeapPad with the more advanced Tag reading

system.

LG AN110 ProjectorYear: 2006

Gold AwardClient: LG Electronics Design: LG Electronics

Discontinued

This model marked the first time a high-def projector was able to fit in a shallow enough box (3.5

inches deep) to be wall mounted. Before it, projectors were chunky, industrial looking machines mounted on ceilings. The AN110 also required only

three screws to install and had a multifunctional remote and

removable faceplate that came in several colors. LG now has

newer models.

Kodak Easyshare V570Year: 2006

Gold AwardClient: Kodak

Design: Bluemap Design, Eastman KodakDiscontinued

Kodak's Easyshare V570 was the first dual-lens digital camera.

Each lens had its own sensor and viewing range, which combined to give it a high

megapixel count. The sophisticated design didn't draw

attention to the lenses, which were etched in stainless steel. A hit, the camera was taken off the

market as Kodak developed more advanced technology.


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Talking Tactile TabletYear: 2006

Gold AwardClient: Touch GraphicsDesign: Touch Graphics

$699

The Talking Tactile Tablet allows visually impaired

readers to have access to graphic imagery through a touch surface that creates

3D overlays and audio. The device is still used

throughout the world, including by the Royal

National College for the Blind in Britain.

Shure E4 Sound Isolation EarphonesYear: 2006

Silver AwardClient: Shure

Design: Essential Design and Shure

Discontinued

The Shure E4 earphones combined breakthroughs in sound isolation and portable media. The simple cylindrical form and small size gave the

listener top-notch sound. The earphones won several industry accolades; updated models have been released.

CupsicleYear: 2006

Bronze AwardClient: MunchkinDesign: Munchkin

$19.99

This spill-proof, insulated drinking cup helps children learn to use a straw without making a mess. Its easy-to-

grip handles, retractable straw, and ice "crystals" that keep contents cold make it a popular choice for parents.

It's still widely available today.

One Touch Can OpenerYear: 2007

Gold AwardClient: One Touch SystemsDesign: Daka Development

$19.99

This was the world's first cordless hand-free can

opener. It "walks around" the can, stopping automatically

when the can is open. A magnet on the device then

removes the lid, which prevents users from cutting themselves on sharp metal. As of 2008 the company had

sold more than 8 million openers. leased.


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Lightair Ionflow 50Year: 2007

Gold Award Client: LightAir

Design: LightAir $350-$495

The Lightair Ionflow is a portable air purifier that eliminates 99.94% of

airborne pollutants. The cylindrical shape maximizes

surface area to trap unwanted particles. Its LED

light also gives it a clean design. Today, it's sold in

three configurations: There's a floor model, a table model, and one that's made to hang

from a wall or ceiling.

H-Racer and Hydrogen Station SetYear: 2007

Silver AwardClient: Horizon Fuel Cell

TechnologiesDesign: Horizon Fuel Cell

Technologies$99.99

More than a toy car, the H-racer provides a model for

environmentally sustainable, energy-independent

transportation. The set is meant to bring the concept

of practical clean energy to a wide audience. Sales have quadrupled since the toy

went on sale in 2006.

SmartMoneyYear: 2007

Bronze AwardClient: Citicorp Credit

Services Design: Ziba Design

Free

SmartMoney is an RFID credit/debit payment device that speeds up transactions under $25. Designed like a money clip, SmartMoney is light and portable. Citibank (C) has issued 2.5 million of

the fobs since 2006, and the easy payment system is now

a feature at several major financial institutions.

Autoseal Travel Mug West Loop

Year: 2007Bronze AwardClient: Contigo

Design: Ignite USA, Contigo$19.99

This award-winner is a double-walled, stainless steel, vacuum-insulated

mug, offering heat retention and a spill-proof design for

those on the go. With a button that opens and closes the mug, drinkers can hold it

with one hand without spilling. It's often on back

order today.

http://stockmarket.businessweek.com/www/search.html?q=C


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iPhoneYear: 2008

Gold Award, Best in ShowClient: AppleDesign: Apple

$99-$199 (excluding phone plan)

The iPhone combines a mobile phone, an iPod, and a

mobile Web browser. Its revolutionary 3.5-inch

touchscreen allows users to control the smartphone

without buttons. Apple sold 5.2 million iPhones in the

company's fiscal third quarter alone, more than seven times the number sold a year earlier.

One Laptop Per Child XOYear: 2008

Gold AwardClient: One Laptop Per Child

Design: Fuseproject$199

Started by Nicholas Negroponte at Massachusetts Institute of

Technology, this nonprofit project is dedicated to producing

a child-friendly computer for underdeveloped countries. The

laptop is portable, energy efficient, and durable. To date,

the company has distributed 1.5 million laptops in Central and

South America, Africa, and Asia. .

Sony Portable Reader System 505Year: 2008

Gold AwardClient: Sony

Design: Sony Creative Center

$299.99

The Sony PRS-505 e-book reader is compact and has almost limitless memory for storing literature. The svelte

body design and menu controls mimic a regular

book. Today, Sony's reader is locked in a battle with

Amazon's Kindle 2 reader.

XBOX 360 Wireless Racing Wheel

Year: 2008Silver Award

Client: Microsoft Design: Teague, Microsoft

$99.99

The Wireless Racing Wheel brings a sense of real world

racing to gaming. The console features rumble packs, which mimic ground vibrations, and ergonomics that resemble an

actual steering wheel. It's still the choice for Xbox owners who love

racing games and feel a traditional controller isn't close

enough to the real thing.


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Care Electronics for Senior Citizens

Year: 2008Bronze Award

Client: DoroDesign: Ergonomidesign

$179.99 each

This series of niche products was designed for senior citizens

with impaired hearing, vision, mobility, or cognition. The line

includes a set of land and cellular phones that featured

amplified sound, easy-to-press buttons, and a large screen for

reading. Sales for the Lund (Sweden) telecom company are

on the rise.

Better Place Charge SpotYear: 2009

Gold AwardClient: Better Place

Design: Better Place, NewDealDesign

Better Place aims to reduce global dependency on

petroleum. The Charge Spot brings the electric car closer

to practicality. This dual-outlet compact charging

station connects to the car and charges it with power

from the electrical grid. The earth-friendly electric

charging lots were unveiled in Israel in 2008.

Project MasilulekeYear: 2009

Gold AwardClient: Project Masiluleke

Design: Project Masiluleke, frog design

The Project Masiluleke Home HIV Test Kit was designed to make

HIV testing in South Africa a comfortable and familiar process. It combines mobile support with

off-the-shelf, saliva-based diagnostics. The test, with copy

written in both English and Zulu, is available free of charge and is intended for private use in the

home and outside of the traditional health-care infrastructure.

HavaianasYear: 2009

Gold AwardClient: HavaianasDesign: Havaianas

$18-$35

Though it's been around since 1962, Havaianas first gained world recognition in 1998, when its World Cup edition sandles caught fire.

Since then the popular shoes have become popular

among celebrities and fashionistas, which has

helped the brand take off. It has even had its own

Fashion Week showcases.


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Domino Sliding USB Flash Drive

Year: 2009Silver AwardClient: iRiver

Designer: iRiver Design Group$21-$34, depending on storage

A flash-memory stick and fashionable accessory

combined, the Domino is one of the smallest of data-storage devices around. It comes in nine colors and can cram so

much data into such a tiny stick by employing a sliding USB

connector.

Dell PrecisionYear: 2009

Silver AwardClient: Dell Design: Dell$999-$1,800

Addressing the growing demands of creative

professionals, Dell Precision mobile workstations are engineered for intense

speed and graphics. This line of high-perfomance

laptops contains both Dell's lightest and most powerful

workstations.

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