Philips Brand Picks Up Steam

Philips is crowdsourcing ironing. Specifically, the electronics brand has teamed up with crowdSPRING and issued a call for a new steam generator iron.

The deadline is October 13th to submit ideas. The creative brief:

“Philips is looking for break-through designs which are advanced, distinctive, easy to experience and designed around people’s needs. It must be a true winner in the stores/ shelves. Please remember we are not looking for a ‘re-Design’ of the existing products(s), the awards will be granted to concepts showing a great deal of creativity: which are innovative but also feasible. Your entry should consist of designs for a new ‘iron’ accompanied by the ‘base’.”

More details after the jump.

Each participant can submit three ideas and include video segments and details of the inspiration behind his or her invention. The winner, to be announced in November, will receive $4,500 plus Autodesk Alias Design software. Second, third, and honorable mentions receive cash prizes and the potential for three winning designs to be produced into ‘non-working mockups.’

A panel of judges will include representatives from Philips’ business, technology, and design departments, and their criteria are: level of innovation, aesthetic quality, effective use of materials, feasibility, ease of use, and how well it reflects Philips’ brand mission: “sense and simplicity.”

“Creative crowdsourcing is a chance to connect directly with the customers who have in-depth, hands-on knowledge about your products and services,” comments Mike Samson and Ross Kimbarovsky, co-founders of crowdSPRING. 

The design competition is part of Philips’ Vision 2015.