An Australian-designed snowsports performance tracking device has taken out the top prize in this year’s Australian International Design Awards.
An Australian-designed snowsports performance tracking device has taken out the top prize in this year’s Australian International Design Awards, in which local designs were judged against internationally-designed products for the first time.
Flaik, designed by Queensland consultants CMD Product Design & Innovation, was awarded the Australian International Design Award of the Year, beating 60 other finalist products including 17 from international designers.
It joins the cream of Australian design including the Ford Territory, the Solar Sailor Ferry and Cochlear implant, to name just a few previous winners.
“The Australian International Design Awards went global for the first time this year. To win the top accolade is more significant than ever,” said Ms Stephanie Watson, Manager, Australian International Design Awards.
“For an Australian design to come out on top signifies the high quality of Australian design work and the strength of the local industry on a world scale,” said Ms Watson.
Of the 61 finalists, 18 products received an Australian International Design Award in recognition of design excellence and 43 products were awarded an Australian International Design Mark in recognition of good design. The Slide Connect G2, a world-first LED emergency exit sign with custom-designed optics won the Award for Excellence in Sustainable Design.
A division of Standard Australia, the 2008 Australian International Design Awards were announced on Friday 30 May at a gala dinner event at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney. The night also celebrated 50 years of rewarding and promoting design excellence and innovation in Australia.
Ms Watson said the Australian International Design Awards is Australia’s longest standing product design awards program.
“We have a proud history of thorough testing and assessment by Australian and international design experts. The judges spend a week scrutinising all entries against rigorous criteria including innovation, visual/emotional appeal, functionality, quality and manufacture, ergonomics and safety, environmental sustainability and presentation.”
Australian and internationally-designed products available for sale in Australia and products professionally designed by Australians for overseas markets are eligible to enter.
About Flaik
Flaik is a small performance tracking device specifically designed for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Using GPS and GSM/GPRS technology, the device monitors and records a user’s location, speed, distance, altitude and airtime, automatically uploading data in real-time to an online portal.
The judges were particularly struck by the originality behind Flaik and the attention to detail given to all aspects of product design from cultural, market and visual appeal right down to the packaging.
“[Flaik is] an exciting product with a completely new visual language that doesn’t follow trends or existing ideas,” said Mr Bruce Claxton, Senior Director, Design Integration, Motorola and one of this year’s judges.
“It boldly reshapes the culture of snowsports by connecting a global network of players through clever technology and rental options,” said Mr Claxton.
You can check out many of the AIDA finalists great gadgets on display at the Powerhouse Museum
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