At Core77, we're passionate about showcasing the incredible work of design students. But let's be real—the internet can be a harsh place, especially for young creatives. Trolls love to criticize, but here's the truth: design school is your playground for experimentation and fearless creativity. So, to all the industrial design (ID) students out there, ignore the noise, build your resilience, and keep pushing boundaries. (And remember, designers who criticize students might just be projecting their own insecurities.)
This year, we’ve curated a list of standout ID student projects that not only impress but also inspire. But here's where it gets controversial: some of these designs challenge traditional norms, sparking debates about practicality versus innovation. Let’s dive in!
1. A Chair Designed for Painters
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Teo Primo Frizzarin, an ECAL student, reimagined the chair for artists, focusing on ergonomics tailored to canvas work rather than desk tasks. Is this a niche solution or a game-changer for creatives?
2. A Rocking Chair from One Sheet of Plywood
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Pratt student Dashiell Schaeffer spent five months perfecting this minimalist design. But is it sustainable genius or just a material constraint exercise?
3. A Clothes Rack with Fixed, Collapsible Hangers
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Aleš Urbancík from Tomas Bata University in Zlín challenges traditional hanger design with a collapsible mechanism. Does this solve a real problem, or is it over-engineering?
4. Surgical Device Collaboration Between ID and ME Students
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Auburn University students partnered with KYRA to design a surgical device. Is this the future of interdisciplinary design, or just a one-off success story?
5. Furniture from Discarded Carpet
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ECAL student Weil transforms waste into functional furniture. Sustainable brilliance or a temporary trend?
6. A Walker for Seniors and Pets
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Hyupsung University students Jeoung Rae Kim, Shua Bong, and Seunghee Lee (Comma) designed a dual-purpose walker. Clever innovation or too good to be true?
7. Emergency Housing from PVC Pipes
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Baptiste Marx, an ENSCI graduate, combines composite materials expertise with ID to create affordable emergency housing. Revolutionary or impractical?
8. A Measuring System for Festool
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Ziyan Huang’s Cursor Measurement Tool simplifies blueprint transfers for tradespeople. A must-have tool or a solution looking for a problem?
9. Firefighter Safety on a Budget
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Harvard students replaced a $275,000 robot with a $750 water-based solution. Is this frugal innovation or a risky compromise?
10. Furniture Made from Tree Bark
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ECAL student Denise Merlette turns bark into a valuable resource. Genius upcycling or a niche market?
11. Technical Clothing from Natural Materials
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Juliette Masson’s Avants project explores eco-friendly technical clothing. The future of fashion or a greenwashing gimmick?
12. Practical Connector Design
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Magdeburg-Stendal University students focus on real-world practicality. Refreshing or too mundane for design school?
13. Quilted Furniture
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Carnegie-Mellon student Sapna Tayal reimagines CNC sewing machines for furniture. A masterpiece of collaboration or overhyped?
14. A Shovel for Hikers
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Wilhelm Berbig’s Hideaway shovel helps hikers leave no trace. Essential outdoor gear or an unnecessary gadget?
15. An Elegant Space Heater
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Moritz Walter replaces central heating with electrically-heated fabric. Innovative or energy-inefficient?
And this is the part most people miss: We’ve also included a suggested assignment—designing a minimalist chess set—to challenge students’ skills. Is this a valuable exercise or a waste of time?
Lastly, we highlight an architecture student’s recovery from a project disaster. Does failure build resilience, or is it a sign to pivot?
What do you think? Are these projects the future of design, or do they miss the mark? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
