More than 720 designs were submitted to the 2009 INDEX: Award, run by the Copenhagen-based INDEX: Design to Improve Life.

Of those 720, just 10% (that is, 72) became finalists, short-listed for meeting the INDEX: criteria to improve life.

Founded in 2002, INDEX: is committed to identifying and publicising design which improves life on a day-to-day basis.

This year’s 72 finalist designs concentrate on water shortages, air pollution, health, environmental sustainability, affordable housing, food provision and much more.

Announcing the nominated finalist designs, INDEX: chief executive officer, Kigge Hvid highlighted exciting submissions such as Nike basketball trainers made from its own production waste, and the ‘Cabbage’ chair, made from paper discarded from Issey Miyake’s collections.

Of the award, Hvid said it focusses solely on the fact that design itself should improve human life.

“At INDEX: we do not confine our focus to form and appearance, but look rather at a design’s context, taking into account its ethical and cultural perspectives, its social and economic impact,” she said.

INDEX:’s international jury will select the winning designs prior to the INDEX:Award prize ceremony in Denmark on 28 August. Winners are set to receive 100,000 EUROS each, as well as being exhibited around the world.
 
Of the 72 design finalists all will be on public view at the INDEX:Award Exhibition in Copenhagen, 21 August–13 September. 

You can also catch the exhibition in Seoul 10–29 October, and Singapore from 10 November.
 

INDEX:
(45) 3389 2005
info@indexaward.dk
designtoimprovelife.dk

The ’Cabbage Chair’