Metropolis 2007 Next Generation Design Competition

Now in its fourth year, Metropolis' Next Generation Design Competition continues to recognize design innovation on every scale-from the efficient desk lamp to the innovative urban plan, and everything in between. The competition invites proposals and finished projects that will improve our designed environment through bold thinking and inventive new ideas from young designers practicing ten years or less who are either part of a large or independent firm, an individual, or a student. Each year, the winning applicant is awarded $10,000 prize money to help realize his or her design, or take it to the next step in its development.

New this year! ENERGY
The 2007 Next Generation Design Competition will focus on ENERGY, the first time the competition has announced a theme, in the wake of recent skyrocketing gas and oil prices. In addition, as evidence builds on the destruction of our environment by the careless use of fossil fuels, Metropolis believes it's time for the design community to channel its energy to new ways of thinking about every aspect of the designed environment. The call to action is clear:

"We chose Energy as our focus this year because we feel that every designer, at every scale of practice and every specialty, needs to make a creative contribution to intelligent, new ways of thinking about energy," says Metropolis editor in chief, Susan S. Szenasy who acts as facilitator of the competition. "The Next Generation design competition seeks entries that address such issues as energy use, reduction, consumption, alternatives, and efficiency--at all scales of design," Szenasy adds.

Launching September 25, 2006, the newly designed Metropolis Next Generation Website offers a wealth of information including FAQ, judges' bios, information on past winners, application instructions and much more. In addition, beginning this year the application process will be entirely online to streamline submissions.

As an indication of the competition's timeliness multiple educators have inquired about using the competition in their class syllabi. In fact, a professor in the Department of Design and Industry at San Francisco State University plans to use Next Generation as a class project this fall semester. "Participating in the Metropolis Next Generation competition is a powerful, meaningful way for my students to explore theoretical ideas and issues about design within a social context," says Shirl Buss, Ph.D., Professor at San Francisco State University. "The Next Generation challenges students to go beyond 'greenwashing' as they are invited to explore the issues of ecological sustainability with more depth, nuance and insight."

In past years those recognized by the Next Generation competition have embodied the core values of good design, and what forward thinking can accomplish. The breadth of proposals has been stunning: building projects, urban planning and community building schemes, responsive interior environments, population pressure issues, new materials, ergonomics, product design, social and housing solutions, environmental management, water purity and waste disposal in crisis situations and so on. The prize money and publicity have helped these projects leap from the drawing board to implementation and production. This year, Metropolis hopes to gain an even greater response.

About Next Generation
The Next Generation competition was created in 2003 to promote activism, social involvement and entrepreneurship in young designers. Metropolis saw the need for a new type of competition, one that went beyond the usual beauty pageants for finished projects, a competition that would generate and reward ideas. Metropolis wants to foster the Next Generation by rewarding imaginative young designers at large companies and recognizing the hard work of those striving with their own young firms or on their own, as well as student teams and individuals-all the while serving a greater purpose to the Earth and society by cultivating sustainable design solutions for a huge range of issues. The 2007 Next Generation Design Competition is sponsored by Herman Miller, Inc., Maharam, The Mohawk Group, and Sherwin-Williams. Deadline for submissions is January 5, 2007. For further information visit http://www.metropolismag.com/nextgen

About Metropolis magazine
Metropolis magazine, with its journalistic and critical viewpoints, has become a trusted resource for thought-provoking information for the design community, as well as for design clients. From project collaborations to technological advances to accessibility and sustainability (both social and environmental), Metropolis continues to be the primary source for the latest design news and innovative ideas in its 25th year.

Metropolis: http://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/4063.html

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