good design awards – The Interiors Addict

Are you a budding designer? Good Design Awards wants you!

For any budding designers out there, the 2016 Good Design Awards are now open for entries! The Awards welcome entries from anywhere in the world, with more than 400 expected.

Founded in 1958, the Awards are a prestigious celebration of the best up-and-coming products and services on the market. They’re designed to help designers of all ages and stages of their career.

The Young Australian Design Award, for example, is restricted to entrants under 30, while the new Design Entrepreneur Award is focussed on unearthing the best ideas yet to hit the market. More developed ideas are also welcome. 2015’s Good Design of the Year went to Tesla Motors for its Model S electric car.

All designs are welcome, says Good Design Australia CEO, Brandon Gien. “We’re looking at every aspect of design and innovation – from the design of a toothbrush to a high-rise building, and everything in between.” Winners gain not only publicity, but also valuable business assistance. All finalists get the chance to work with CtechBA, who are experts in commercialising products and ideas.

Even just entering has benefits – the audience is full of potential investors, so you never know where networking may take your idea! Excitingly, the Awards ceremony will coincide with the launch of Vivid Sydney. The open exhibition of finalists will be a great addition to the light and ideas festival.

Submissions close on 15 April. For more information: Good Design Awards, Young Design Awards, Design Entrepreneur Awards

USB Powerpoints: The new ‘must-have’ powerpoints

Sponsored by HPM and Legrand

Forget bulky adapters, now you can plug all your USB gadgets — phones, tablets, fitness bands, and cameras — straight into these powerpoints for super fast charging.

The new powerpoints from HPM and Legrand each contain two USB sockets, effectively transforming a double powerpoint into a quad powerpoint, and putting an end to the ongoing battle for power sockets and the eyesore of bulky chargers.

With a total charging capacity of 4.2A, the HPM and Legrand powerpoints have much more grunt than alternatives (if you’ve ever tried charging your phone or tablet from your computer or car adapter, you’ll know USB sockets are not created equal). They are the only powerpoints currently available that can charge two tablets at their maximum charging speeds, simultaneously. And the speed difference is significant. In a recent lab test, one unit charged two iPads more than two hours faster than a rival could charge one!

A Good Design Awards finalist earlier this year, the charging capacity was one feature that impressed the judges. Design the other. The USB powerpoints are available in three different styles and more than 40 finishes, from the playful Bubblegum Pink to a genuine Galuchat (stingray leather), so you can perfectly match your interior style.

Ideal in kitchens, bedrooms and home offices, your electrician can easily swap your old powerpoints for these new beauties if you fancy a quick upgrade.

Where to buy

Through electricians or electrical wholesalers and hardware retailers via special order. It’s best to show electricians and shop staff the product data sheet from the website, so they know exactly what you are talking about.

Top tips

For optimum charging speeds, use the original manufacturer’s cable.
Add USB powerpoints to the pantry to help keep messy cords out of sight.
When buying electrical accessories, always ask if it complies with Australian Standards? You’d be surprised how many make it to shop shelves without proper testing.