James Dyson's success is built on his obsession for engineering objects that work better. For the fourth consecutive year, the James Dyson Foundation and the Industrial Designers Society of America, host Eye for Why and ask students from around the country to offer their best ideas on how to demonstrate new and alternative design solutions that simply work better. This design competition encourages students to create an innovative product that reflects the Dyson commitment to intelligent and function-first design.
For the first time, students will be able to submit their design and engage each other through a new online Eye for Why community found at http://dyson.com/designaward.
Winners will be honored at an award ceremony in April 2008 in New York City.
Continuing in the search to improve the way things work, Eye for Why will continue to challenge students to re-envision a product that excels in performance and surpasses competitors in both function and purpose by solving a pre-existing problem. Entries are not restricted by a theme or product group, rather they must focus on the total product. It must solve a problem, work well, and provide real advantages over existing offerings. Students will submit their entries online where they can share each other's ideas, discuss design topics and be exposed to a national network of design students. With entries due on February 9, 2008, the contest is open to students at any of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design-accredited degree programs or individual student members of IDSA.
The first-place winner will receive $5,000, as well as an all-expense-paid trip (along with his/her advisor) to New York City for the awards ceremony. Dyson will provide travel and accommodations for two nights. The student advisor of the first-place winner will also be given $2,000. Two second-place winners will be awarded $2,000 each, and two third-place winners will receive $1,000 each. In addition, the winning entry models will be displayed at the ceremony. Student winners must be available for full participation at the exhibit and for media appearances.