Dell ReGeneration Design Finalist

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I’m proud to announce that Kate Richard, one of our Junior ID students, is one of the five finalists in the Dell ReGeneration international design competition!


This was my class project for the Junior ID studio last winter, and each student spent 10 weeks conceptualizing and developing their own interpretation of the future of green computing.


With her design entitled “Sense” she’s won $10,000 with a chance to win an additional $15,000 if hers is voted first. See the link below.


http://www.regeneration.org/2008/04/22/remarkable-designs-breathtaking-drawings-help-us-pick-our-winners/


"The “Regeneration: International Green Computing Design Competition,” which recently completed its first round of judging, was conceived as a means for Dell to facilitate a broad public dialogue around design opportunities and trade-offs regarding environmentally-responsible design (including the entire lifecycle of computing technologies & products). The team set rigorous requirements for the competition, and had more than 500 design students and professionals from across the globe participate. The jury of six internationally respected sustainable design experts worked independently to evaluate and cull the initial range of entries and then assembled in Austin to select the top 5 Finalists."


This concept points to a real concern that many have. "How do I know where this product comes from? What impact does buying this product have on the environment?" Our purchasing decisions are extremely powerful. They can support or destroy an entire corporation, or a country. Remember, how the richest 10% of the worlds population spend (or don't spend) money can change the world.

To suggest that everyone can do the same research on their home computer, assumes that everyone has a computer at home and is connected and will take the time to do so, however most of the world is not so privileged.

This is a powerful design, if you consider the potential consequences.



Here's a good story and interview with Kate: http://westernfrontonline.net/200805029963/news/western-junior-named-finalist-in-dell-computer-competition/


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