Seven projects were named finalists of the World Design Impact Prize, following the online voting by Icsid's international members. The World Design Impact Prize, awarded biennially and currently in its inaugural year, aims to recognise, empower and stimulate socially responsible design projects and initiatives around the world.
In early 2011, Icsid Members were asked to nominate projects. The project gallery, containing 22 submissions, opened for viewing and comments on World Industrial Design Day (29 June), and a voting commenced a month later.
"With the World Design Impact Prize we are focusing on the day to day improvements design can bring," said outgoing Icsid President and Senator Dr. Mark Breitenberg.
"We are looking for design that is innovative, that is breaking new ground in the field, that leads to progress, and advances the profession of design. We are looking for the project that has the greatest impact and is thinking about design as a way to solve problems.
My great hope is that this Icsid initiative will continue to grow and that we will see more and more nominations in the coming years as the World Design Impact Prize develops and gains recognition.
As this initiative grows, we hope to eventually bring venture capitalists and investors to the project and help foster a relationship that allows the projects to move forward and reach fruition. We want the winner of the prize to plant a seed, and showcase a lot of the extraordinary work that is being done in humanitarian design around the world."
The first recipient of the prize will be announced at the World Design Capital Design Gala on February 2, 2012 in Helsinki.