This year Electrolux celebrates its 90th anniversary with the theme for its 7th Design Lab: ‘Designs for the next 90 years’.

The competition calls for design students to create innovative home appliances that will shape the future of food preparation and storage, clothes washing and dish cleaning. Last year’s winner was the creative entry from Austrian designer Stefan Buchberger – the ‘Flatshare’ fridge.

The theme aims to inspire global undergraduate and graduate industrial design students to explore ideas that “address key consumer insights such as being adaptive to time and space, provide learning and allow for individualisation”.

This year’s competition includes an added incentive for Australian students with Electrolux awarding AUD $1000 cash to all short-listed entries.

“Working with young, talented designers provides inspiration for future products and solutions,” says Henrik Otto – Senior Vice President of Global Design at Eectrolux. “It also helps Electrolux spot the hottest, new talent out there.”

The overall winner will receive €5000 and a six month paid internship at an Electrolux design centre; second prize is €3000 and third prize is €2000.

Entries to the 2009 Electrolux Design Lab close on 31 May. Australian students are directed to enter via the Electrolux Design Lab website.

electroluxdesignlab.com