Electrolux Design Lab 2011 winner will join the Electrolux design team in Summer 2012
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Adrian Mankovecký, winner of the Electrolux Design Lab in 2011, will join the design team in Stockholm after completing his degree at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Part of Mankovecký’s prize is a 6-month paid internship at an Electrolux design centre in Stockholm. Previous winners have also won internships in Stockholm and some have continued to have developed careers within Electrolux. In addition to the internship Mankovecký also won 5,000 euros- a prize that will also be awared to 2012’s winner.
Mankovecký’s winning design concept, the portable Spot Cleaner, came in first out of some 1,300 entries from 50 countries. The Spot Cleaner, is designed to refresh clothing and remove stains with the help of negative ions and steam. It is powered with a sugar crystal battery.
Mankovecký currently showcases his 3D designs and prototypes on his blog. However, whilst he embraces 3D and other new digital technologies he still does some things by hand. “Computers can deceive, so I want to touch the product and feel the shape before further altering it,” he says, “for the same reason that Design Lab considers physical mock-ups.”
Not a fan of modern consumption patterns, Mankovecký eschews waste. “Function is very important in my work, and economy, too, for we need to save energy and materials. For me less is sometimes more. I prefer light-looking, simple but solid and quality design. His designs are minimalist yet robust. Unfortunately, today’s consumers often seek novelty instead of quality. “They change their furniture like their clothing, sometime using it for only a few years. Why shouldn’t quality furniture be part of home for 20 years?”
In addition to his blog Mankovecký has also received global exposure as a result of the competition including coverage in international press and blogs. “Aside from the media attention, TV, radio and magazines, my life has not changed. I simply gained a new experience,” says Mankovecký.
For more on Electrolux Design Lab’s 2011 winner visit Adrian Mankovecký’s Blog.
For more on 2012′s competition visit Electrolux Design Lab 2012
For further information please contact Electrolux Press Office UK
Emma McSweeney or Sue Hargreaves 0118 9760030
E-mail: emma@dmcpr.co.uk or sueh@dmcpr.co.uk
