Cobra has upped the ante in its coveted design competition this year, and is calling on all creative and aspirant South African designers not just professionals, to splash out, dream big and design their ultimate bathroom accessories. The winning designers will not only pocket R35 000 cash, but will also see their designs come to life as part of a future Cobra collection.
The Cobra Product Design Competition enters its third year in 2015. Given its overwhelming popularity, this year the competition will feature two design categories, both of which will be judged equally, according to the same criteria.
The first design category invites entrants to design their dream bathroom sanctuary, from the basin, taps/mixer, toilet, bath and shower right down to the towel rails (and anything else they deem necessary for bathroom bliss). Entrants can reinvent the traditional bathroom or completely reimagine this rejuvenating space.
The second design category requires entrants to conceptualise the perfect basin and tap/mixer combination. This bathroom staple can either be reworked for 21st century living or recreated in an entirely fresh new form, constrained only by the bounds of the designer’s imagination.
The only requirement is that every element within the individual bathroom design or basin/tap design expresses a communal aesthetic that ties the entire design together. Multiple entries within a single category (each reflecting their own aesthetic) are allowed.
Designs should take into account ergonomics (how can the bathroom experience be made more comfortable?); manufacturability (how easy is it to manufacture the different elements?); and a new design identity (current market trends shouldn’t be copied, designs should be original, creative and innovative).
Attention should also be paid to areas like hygiene, construction space, product integration, installation ease and manufacturing materials as well as any other real world challenges entrants encounter in creating their designs for modern bathroom applications.
“This year, anybody with a flair for design can enter the competition,” says Ronelle Badenhorst, Cobra Business Unit Manager. “This is an opportunity for designers to bring forth their design philosophies and raise their voice on different bathroom aesthetics and experiences. The brief is open for interpretation by designers, with the idea that the competition fosters a platform for innovation and exploration in design.”
All entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts, selected on the basis of their experience and expertise in the plumbing, manufacturing and design fields.
The main prize includes R35 000 for each category winner and R10 000 for each category runner-up. All the designs entered by fulltime students at South African tertiary institutions will be assessed for a third prize – that of most promising learning institution, with a R10 000 cash prize being awarded to the winning institution.
The first and second place winning designs in categories one and two will also go into production and proudly bear the Cobra brand.
The closing date for entries is 6 July 2014. Full competition details can be found at www.cobra.co.za or by emailing [email protected]. For up to date news, like us on Facebook @CobraWatertechSA
