Experimental Category Entries

Boxit

Company Boxit

Introduction Date May 15, 2018

Project Website http://myboxit.com

Why is this project worthy of an award?

We Created a network of 24/7 of self-service smart lockers with convenient payment methods and a marketplace to provide eCommerce and logistics solutions. We have seven platforms strategically located around Panama city, now expanding to Mexico City, Costa Rica, Bogota and Medellin.

What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?

We integrated our own software and hardware design for latin american markets.

Who worked on the project?

Francisco Terrientes - Co-Founder Illan Shatz - Co-Founder Jorge Segares - CEO


BSO - Rhythm and Algorithm

Company Superunion

Introduction Date February 27, 2018

Project Website https://brooklynsymphonyorchestra.org/

Why is this project worthy of an award?

Classical music is not an effete, esoteric art form restricted to the stuffy ears of an elite.   Classical music is energetic, dynamic and exciting.   This is the idea behind a bold community orchestra of amateur and professional musicians known as the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra.   And it is the idea behind an innovative identity designed to make classical music more accessible while exploring new frontiers in brand experience.   The idea is Music Made Visual. The orchestra’s identity carved from dynamic visualizations derived from the music as it plays in real time.   The audio-reactive logo evolves from a static form to a dynamic, interactive identity system that visualizes the music while it plays. The custom software allows the orchestra to generate graphics live in front of an audience. Post-performance, they upload recordings and extend the dynamic graphics to posters, tickets, booklets and advertising.   The generative tool allows the orchestra to choose between different colors that work within the organization’s new identity, each visual unique yet harmonious to the brand guidelines.

What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?

In partnership with HAWRAF, we respected the original identity elements as we created the digital transformation. JavaScript libraries and API’s respond to variables in the music, such as frequency and intensity. Mapping those movements to specific data points in the decoded audio allowed us to bring the BSO logo to life.   Our dynamic visualizations of the music are inspired by each of the logo’s letterforms.   One visualization, derived from the blocky “B,” looks like the music is dragging a work of architecture around the screen. Another, inspired by the letter “S” appears as a wisp of smoke that gyrates, twists and turns to the beat of the music. The last, inspired by the dots of the logo’s “O,” has the appearance of a swarming beehive that slows down and speeds up as the music ebbs and flows.   Because every piece of music fed into the system is different, the software will always yield a brilliant new combination of forms. The orchestra can choose between different colors, each working within the organization’s new identity.   Random yet cohesive. Rhythm and algorithm.

Who worked on the project?

Superunion: Nick Clark, Executive Creative Director, Jeremy Paredes, Senior Client Director, Alex Cruz, Designer, James Taylor, Design Director, Aaron Stephenson, Senior Designer, Grecia Malave, Account Executive HAWRAF: Carly Ayers, Partner, Pedro Sanches, Partner, Nicky Tesla, Partner, Andrew Herzog, Partner


Building Blocks

Company SPACE10

Introduction Date April 25, 2018

Project Website http://building-blocks.io

Why is this project worthy of an award?

The demand for affordable housing is a pressing issue for many cities. According to the UN, by 2050, the world’s urban population will have increased by 2.5 billion. The cost of housing will probably rise, homes will likely get smaller, and informal settlements such as favelas and townships could grow bigger. We believe that open source architecture and digital fabrication could help tackle the global housing crisis and make well-designed homes accessible and affordable for the many people. Designed in partnership with Danish architecture students Johanne Holm-Jensen and Mia Behrens, Building Blocks is an attempt to bring these ideas to life. Building Blocks is a prototype of a low-cost, adaptable and sustainable micro-house that could be applicable globally and manufactured locally. It was made using one material (abundant FSC-certified sustainable plywood) and one machine (a CNC milling machine). The material cost was just €163 ($192) per square meter. The intention is that anyone, anywhere can download the design for free, customise the house to suit different landscapes, terrains and cultures, “print” the necessary parts locally, and assemble the house relatively quickly and easily. In fact, we have made the design files open source and hope to get feedback from other architects, builders, designers, so that together we can develop and improve the project. Building Blocks is worthy of a Fast Company award because it represents a significant step towards making low-cost, sustainable and modular houses available to anyone—and, as a result, democratising the homes of tomorrow.

What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?

We believe that the emerging field of digital fabrication has yet to fulfil its full potential. It is based on the simple idea that you can design something on a computer and physically make it with the push of a button, using a digital fabrication tool. Tools such as CNC milling machines, laser cutters and 3D printers are becoming smaller, more advanced, cheaper and much more user-friendly. Factories could soon sit in our homes or on street corners. Designs could travel as digital files to be downloaded and made anywhere—reliably, repeatedly and on-demand. That would cut out most of the middlemen and complicated logistics involved in traditional construction, as well as the time-consuming, polluting and expensive shipping of materials. Local production would become the new normal. Materials would be sourced or grown locally and sustainably. Once released into the public domain, an open source design is freely available for anyone to use, modify and share. A house can be downloaded, customised, built and improved over time. In this way, open source architecture could make well-designed homes affordable for the many people. Building Blocks brings these ideas to life. It was made using just one material and just one machine, while the design files were made open source, so that other architects, builders and designers will be able to develop and improve our prototype.

Who worked on the project?

Design— Johanne Holm-Jensen & Mia Behrens Copenhagen, DENMARK Digital fabrication— Anders Wilhelmsen Copenhagen, DENMARK Concept & Strategy— SPACE10 Copenhagen, DENMARK space10.io @space10_journal Website— Norgram® Copenhagen, DENMARK Mathias Høst Normark Design Director Norgram® Sebastian Gram Design Director Norgram®

View the project video:


Canva Augmented Reality

Company Canva

Introduction Date September 19, 2017

Project Website https://www.canva.com/app/

Why is this project worthy of an award?

Millions of people around the world have been using the Canva iOS (iPhone and iPad) app for their design needs—and why not? Whether it’s a logo, a picture collage, an invitation, or a poster, thanks to Canva’s simple drag-and-drop function, a massive library of media assets and layouts, and the ability to upload your own photos—Canva has made design and publishing using your smartphone super easy. Now we’re pushing it one step further. For the first time ever, everyone can enjoy the benefits of an augmented reality (AR) experience right from their smartphone—through the Canva iPhone app. We’re bringing previews to life right before your eyes! Our AR offering is a game-changer that allows for real-life previews of a design—ultimately giving you the power to experience, experiment, and share design ideas onto any space. Remember the time you printed out a poster for review? And remember throwing it out afterwards because you found a typo, or that the colors didn’t work together, the dimensions of the print just didn’t size up, or worse, that the design just looked lost amidst its surroundings? Canva iOS AR app lets users virtually 'place' their designed collateral—business cards, posters, menus, invitations etc—onto any space they want. The app is designed to include a true-to-scale print-out of your design, giving you an accurate representation of your finished product before investing in the actual print of said design. It’s time to forget about the old, traditional way of previewing a design before you print. With our AR functionality, we’re putting cutting-edge technology into the hands of everyone needing to communicate through visual designs, with ease—and to be able to do things right, the first time round. It’s no wonder why our popular Canva iOS app has been downloaded 15.4M times since launch. The environmental impact The production of paper emits 1.46 tonnes of greenhouse gases per tonne of paper produced. US offices alone use 12.1 trillion sheets of paper a year and with the paper we waste annually, we could build a 12 foot high wall of paper from New York to California! Far too often paper, time, and money are wasted because of a shoddy design. From businesses to freelancers, to professionals and students, everyone creates samples and mock-ups on the daily that are tossed into the bin without a second thought. At Canva, we’re conscious of being good humans, both to each other and to our planet. Having the ability to preview a design through the Canva’s iOS app makes it easier to visualize how a particular design will look in real life. So other than being more productive, we believe that our technology will drastically reduce our impact on the earth.

What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?

Canva is changing the way in which we all visually communicate. Using Apple's ARKit technology, our iOS AR addition not only further empowers our user to design anything without hesitation, it gives those with zero knowledge of AR an easy-to-use interface with which to experience this type of breakthrough technology. Technology like this has changed the way we design. We hope to increase the efficiency with which everyday people communicate, and provide a more sustainable way for our users to keep doing what they’re doing, while being good to our planet. Canva is not just an app for graphic designers, it’s an app for everyone.

Who worked on the project?

Denis Chashchin, iOS Engineer Nic Wittison, iOS Engineer Shipra Mahindra, Product Manager Mick Evans, Product Designer

View the project video: https://youtu.be/tUUD1j-4U_Y


C A R O

Company LUNAR / McKinsey Design

Introduction Date April 1, 2018

Project Website

Why is this project worthy of an award?

In the US, cars are our reality— they’re everywhere. On average, 76% of Americans drive to work alone (American Community Survey, US Census Bureau, 2016). This staggering statistic contributes to major congestion, pollution and parking issues. Particularly in urban cities, consumers have the option of a four-wheeled car or a two-wheeled motorcycle. On one hand, cars provide comfort, independence and storage while scooters and motorcycles are compact and efficient. Many would prefer the lower cost and ease of use of a motorcycle, but the lack of storage and exposure to the elements prohibits purchasing one. Currently, gaps exist in the urban transport space. What if we could combine the best of both worlds by designing a smarter, approachable and more convenient transit option? For a better, more versatile alternative to standard vehicles, scooters, and motorcycles, we developed Caro. Caro is an electric powered, motorcycle-car hybrid vehicle that’s built for up to two passengers with options for an extended storage cabin and protection from the elements. Caro fills an unmet opportunity need, since we anticipate consumers want a two or three-wheeled vehicle that is multimodal. With Caro’s modularity, it can be operated as a two-person vehicle or functions with additional storage space by moving the second seat. The current two/three-wheeled solutions available are not approachable to most users, thus hindering their adoption. Cars are inefficient and a pain to park while motorbikes require special licensing/training and lack equitable storage. We took the desirable attributes from cars and combined them with the agility and structure of a bike. The three-wheel design allows Caro to remain stable, inviting atypical users into the three-wheeled bike transit option. Caro goes one step further to offer many of the top benefits consumers consider when purchasing a car over a motorcycle including keyless biometric access and safety features like a rearview camera provide accessibility and ease of use. As a bonus feature, the UI conveniently contains built-in navigation, an electronic speedometer and battery life indicators.

What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?

Many people are forced to choose between a motorcycle and a car, which comes at a cost of many desirable benefits. Caro takes these unmet user needs and combines them into one sleek package. Current two-wheel options are very limited and don’t allow for weather impact and storage space. In general, this hinders a scooter’s approachability and contributes to lower levels of use among consumers. Caro offers a unique expandable cargo space. The spacious trunk extension is optimized for maximum storage. An easy “pull and slide” trunk feature is available while using Caro as a solo driver, as the second passenger space becomes the larger trunk space. Based on the current concept rendition, Caro’s trunk stores the same volume as a small compact car. Another unique feature of Caro is its ability to protect from the elements. This includes rain, wind and the cold. Typical motorbikes rely on good weather to be rideable, but with the option of a retractable weather shield, Caro’s users can arrive at their destination without worry or fear of being deterred by the weather. Caro invites a new option for urban transit by being approachable, versatile and safe for users. It solves for congestion, parking and the environment. Our goal was to ignite a conversation in the hybrid car and scooter space through the creation of an experimental three-wheeled scooter.

Who worked on the project?

Germain Verbrackel, Designer Nick Ross, Creative Lead Angela Sevilla, Designer Kuen Chang, Senior Creative Director Terence Kwan, Creative Lead Sara Cinnamon, Research

View the project video: https://vimeo.com/269096792