PRESS RELEASE
Taipei, 20 March 2013
Awards Ceremony for the Winners of the IBDC 2013:
The 22 winners of the IBDC (International Bicycle Design Competition) were officially honored at the TAIPEI CYCLE Show (20 to 23 March 2013). The ten best entries were rewarded with prize monies amounting to a total of TWD 600,000 (approx. EUR 16,000).
The IBDC, one of the most highly respected competitions for young talent in the bicycle industry, is now in its 17 th year. All in all, some 590 concepts from students and young designers were entered in the competition, which is hosted by the Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Center (CHC) and sponsored by the Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs, R.O.C. Of the total 590, 391 works from 45 countries from around the world were accepted to compete for the coveted award.
A high ranking panel of experts evaluated all the entries and selected 22 innovative works as prize winners. The ten most outstanding entries were rewarded with prize monies amounting to TWD 600,000 (EUR 16,000).
Something new that has been added to the competition, all the prize winners were invited to a three day workshop at the Asia University in Taichung (Taiwan). In addition to attending specialist lectures, the winners had the opportunity here to have their work examined by international design experts, to talk with them and to work together with them on fine tuning their own projects.
The results of the workshop will be introduced at the TAIPEI CYCLE Show and presented to an international audience of trade professionals. The winners will also be featured in the iF online exhibition ( www.ifdesign.de ), on the IBDC website ( www. ibdcaward.org ) and in a specially prepared documentation.
Judges – Categories – Evaluation Criteria The judges included Henry Chang (Gearlab Co. Ltd., Taipei/Taiwan), Edward Chiang (Giant Bicycle, Taichung/Taiwan), Martin Kessler (Process Group, Zurich/Switzerland), Ishigaki Tetsuya (Toyo frame, Tokyo/Japan), Georg Todtenbier (Cre8 Design, Taipei/Taiwan) and Michael Tseng (Merida Bikes, Taichung/Taiwan).
Categories:
1. Bicycles 2. Components 3. Clothing and Accessories 4. Service/Facilities (parking systems, bike route designs, rental systems)
Evaluation Criteria:
Degree of innovation / Quality of design / Choice of material / Environmental impact / Functionality / Application / Safety / Social responsibility / Universal design / Practical aspects / Degree of elaboration.
The organization and execution of the competition was carried out by iF International Forum Design GmbH with its iF Branch Office Taiwan for the first time.
IBDC 2013 | The prize winners with prize money
5 x TWD 100,000 in prize money:
1. entry ID: 104977 Category: Components Entry: Penta Brake System | Thumb Brake System Design: Martina Zbinden University: FHNW IID, Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, Institute of Industrial Design, Therwil/Switzerland The PENTA brake system is an innovative hydraulic brake system for bicycles. These thumb brakes do not require a lot of force to be applied and it is then easier to control the braking power. The cables mounted on the inside are protected from vandalism. The low maintenance brake is serviced over the handlebars and the stem, whereby the entire top piece can be removed.
What the judges had to say: “The advantage of this brake system is that it is controlled by two thumbs and I think it is a little revolution in the bicycle industry.”
2. entry ID: 106307 Category: Components Entry: ubqo sixty60 | Mountainbike Frame Design: Marco Giarrana University: University of Design and Art, Basle/Switzerland The «ubqo sixty60» is a frame with strong, clean, independent lines that covers a wide range of uses. It eliminates the only real weak points of virtual pivot designs: it replaces two small linkages, which are exposed to extremely high loads, with large excenters, which can resist the loads much better and exhibit durability and stability. With its round edged carbon profiles, the «ubqo sixty60» is ready to tackle any terrain.
What the judges had to say: “It is a different frame design that is just like a universal adjustment for bikes of the newest generation.”
3. entry ID: 105922 Category: Components Entry: ERON | Light and brake systems Design: Thomas Breun University: Hochschule Coburg, Integrated Product Design, Coburg/Germany ERON combines the functions of a conventional bicycle disk brake with a bicycle lighting system. While riding, magnets fitted into the brake disks produce electrical energy in induction coils arranged beside the brake calipers to operate the lights. The front lights are integrated into the brake handles, while the taillight can be attached to the rear brake caliper. The “Dual Plug” hose line supplies the disc system with hydraulic oil and the front lights with electric energy. As a result, the unsightly mess of cables connecting the generator to the lights is a thing of the past.
What the judges had to say: “This is one of the most complete ideas, they even thought about how the electricity is stored. The student has done an excellent job and this is absolutely applicable to today’s market.”
4. entry ID: 104393 Category: Clothing and accessories Entry: The Glow Rider | Light System Design: Mr. Kuang Chung Hao, Yi Ching Lin, Yen Liang Chen University: National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei/Taiwan Bicycling in the dark can be extremely dangerous. The Glow Rider is a flashing light, a taillight and a projection light all in one. The Glow Rider is mounted on the rear fender; it acts as a high powered taillight. At a flick of the switch, the Glow Rider projects a bright beam of light onto the rider's back. This creates a larger lit surface area, which makes the rider significantly more visible in the rain or dark.
What the judges had to say: “The idea is applicable to potentially any bike. Though we think about the future, bikes are also about encouraging sustainability. The idea is self sustainability and it’s a good marketing point.”
5. entry ID: 104433 Category: Service | Facility Entry: BamGoo | Transport System for Emerging Countries Design: Sara Urasini University: Free University of Bozen, Bozen/Italy BamGoo is a transport system designed for emerging countries that use bicycles as their most important means of transport. It is a very simple structure made of the natural materials that are easy to find and easy to work with using simple tools in the corresponding countries. It consists of twelve containers positioned symmetrically so that it can be used as a stall at markets in and around the villages. Thanks to the two holders, it can be easily detached from the bicycle to be carried by hand.
What the judges had to say: “This is from the category of service and facility and that’s exactly what it is. You don’t need a new type of bicycle; you just need these two elements and the frame structure made of bamboo. It’s so simple, so effective and helps a lot of, mostly, women to carry all these heavy things to the market or from the water hole back to the village.”
5 x TWD 20,000 in prize money:
6. entry ID: 104121 Category: Bicycles Entry: Frame 22 | Urban Bike with Bamboo Frame Design: Mr. Yu Yuan Lai University: Shih Chien University, Dept. of Industrial Design, Taipei/Taiwan Frame 22 is an urban bike with a flexible bamboo frame. The bike was designed in cooperation with a master bamboo carpenter. Bamboo poles support the frame and form a connection between the fork and the seat tube. The excellent elasticity of the bamboo material makes the frame extremely flexible and significantly reduces side instability and vibration. The bamboo construction stretches back to the chain stay to also provide reinforcement for the entire rear triangles.
What the judges had to say: “This is a fantastic combination of wood and steel. One of the judges would actually like to ride it.”
7. entry ID: 106720 / “Professionals” Category: Bicycles Entry: Sawyer | Beach Cruiser with Plywood Frame Manufacturer: 053ontwerp, Enschede/Netherlands Design: Jurgen Kuipers Sawyer is a beach cruiser with a custom made beech wood plywood frame. The bike has been equipped with special features, e.g. the chain line. A one of a kind bike with an elegant look for a comfortable ride. As a type of “art project”, the bike is also available as an assembly kit that contains all the parts required to build a Sawyer bike. This is merely a model, however, and cannot actually be used as a bike.
What the judges had to say: “It’s a cool looking bike that combines both concepts for the competition. But it’s a bit ironic. He must have designed this bike with particular man appeal before putting together the DIY tools. It looks like it could work and it would certainly be very unique on the street.”
8. entry ID: 105923 Category: Clothing and Accessories Entry: Children’s Bike Seat Design: Martina Staub, Lisa Nissen University: Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, Industrial Design, Aarau/Switzerland The design of this children’s bike seat focuses primarily on the aspects of safety and lightweight. The seat consists of two parts: the protective frame is made of fiber glass reinforced polypropylene. The cushion is a 3D mesh and is soft and protective at the same time. In the event of a sudden stop, the child is secured by the 5 point safety belt. The design of the frame provides optimum protection for the child’s head. The system includes a sleeping position and the footrests can be easily adjusted to virtually any position. If the seat is not in use, it can be used as a carrier. The taillights can be attached to the frame as desired.
What the judges had to say: “The design is very simple. People in Japan or other Asian countries would like to use this product. Regarding the design of the frame, the judges reckoned it can actually be made.”
9. entry ID: 105124 Category: Bicycles Entry: The Essence | One Bike – Two Riding Styles Design: Mr. Ming Kang Chang University: Shih Chien University, Taipei/Taiwan This bike offers two different riding styles: one is fixed gear and the other is single speed for easier riding. To achieve this concept, the bike's top tube and seat stays are replaced by thinner steel bars. There is a special rear hub that can turn in two modes: single speed freewheel or single cog. The seat is also designed to be removed or assembled quickly to adapt easily to the way in which the rider wants to use it.
What the judges had to say: “The only difference in this special design lies in the carbon fiber frame using steel bars. It’s a good design that can actually work and reduce the total weight by 100 200 grams.”
10. entry ID: 106135 / “Professionals” Category: Bicycles Entry: CariBoo Transporter | Transport Bike Firma: MaxMillion IndustrialDesign, Munich/Germany Design: Dipl. Designer Maximilian Kolb The idea behind the CARIBOO is to offer an affordable cargo transport system around the world. Recycled bicycle parts from Europe are combined with freely available local materials. The basic set consists of prefabricated, stainless steel parts and a main frame made of bamboo. The main frame can be built anywhere in the world where bamboo grows. Bending the frame into the right position is easily done by hand. The frame is flexible and gives the bike a dynamic type of movement with a slightly forward tilt.
What the judges had to say: “Urban cycling is growing as a global trend and one big part of urban cycling is cargo space. People want space where they can store their things.”
>> All the award winners are featured on the IBDC website (www.ibdcaward.org ) and in the iF online exhibition (http://exhibition.ifdesign.de/index_de ).
Judges’ Statements
Edward Chiang – Giant Bicycle, Taichung/Taiwan: “The student entries are very innovative and they are very well thought through. The professionals have to improve their quality. I am glad and happy to be here.”
Martin Kessler – Process Group, Zurich/Switzerland: “It’s always extremely surprising to see how young people move in other ways and in other directions. They are always looking for new ideas. Some are very future minded, like the things they have seen in Star Trek 47 and then they transport those ideas into this world. But here’s just one, we gave this award to this African project, the solution is so simple, yet so effective. And of course, what they have done in quantity, even in quality is very impressive. And also for us as judges, we are always interested in having these discussions about design focusing on different topics and on the different ways that you can judge design. We had the example that one group voted for one project and the other group thought it was awful. Design is always a kind of subjective thinking and judgment. It’s certainly interesting every time.”
Henry Chang – Gearlab Co. Ltd., Taipei/Taiwan: “I am quite impressed with the quantity and quality of the designs submitted for this competition, especially with the students’ work. Student work is more original, they are more genuine and they think outside the bike industry. So we think we are having a good influence on the current industry. On the other hand, we think the professional group could think more out of the box to provide something that is not as conventional. We would really like to see that. But overall, I am very happy with the selection that we made today.”
Georg Todtenbier – Cre8 Design, Taipei/Taiwan: “The competition today was very interesting with a very wide range of concepts in different categories. I am also very excited to see that the students already have a very professional level that I did not expect. And the process that iF is using to evaluate the best candidates altogether also seems very fair to me. It’s different from other competitions that I have joined as a judge. And I think and also heard other judges say that today’s results, especially for the golden awards, were a unanimous opinion and it is not just a lame compromise for what we have done. I hope the prize winning teams are happy and put the money to good use.”
Michael Tseng – Merida Bikes, Taichung/Taiwan: “It was a very nice judging process today. I can see a lot of professional design as well as some products from students. I had a great time with all the judges while we were discussing and exchanging our opinions. We all had a wonderful time and to the best products we selected we want to wish: Congratulations!”
Ishigaki Tetsuya – Toyo frame, Tokyo/Japan: “I am so surprised to see these new bike designs and to meet people in the same bike industry. I expect to see more innovative bike designs in the future.”
For more information and image material, please contact:
Joan Wu Annegret Wulf Pippig iF Branch Office Taiwan Press Office No. 133, Guangfu S. Rd., iF International Forum Design GmbH Xinyi Dist., Taipei 110, Bahnhofstraße 8, D 30159 Hannover Taiwan Germany phone +886.2.27667007 phone +49.511.54224.218 fax +886.2.27678007 fax +49.511.54224.100 [email protected] annegret.wulf [email protected] www.ifdesign.asia www.ifdesign.de
Jury Biographies for the IBDC 2013
Martin Kessler founded PROCESS in 1995 – a branding and design agency, which now has offices in Switzerland, Taiwan and China. As a project leader, he developed a new brand identity for BMC, a Swiss bicycle manufacturer. At Swissair, Kessler was the head of the Corporate Design department. He has already successfully taken part in the Swiss Gigathlon eight times – one of the world’s most demanding competitions in multiple sports.
Michael Tseng heads Merida Industry Co., LTD. – the second largest bicycle manufacturer in Taiwan and a company that has now been in the family for two generations. His father, Ike Tseng, founded Merida in 1972. Michael Tseng has been working in the bicycle industry for more than 20 years. He is also the chairman of the A Team, an umbrella organization of the world’s best bicycle manufacturers.
Edward Chiang is the director of design for Giant Bicycle, a bicycle manufacturer in Taiwan. Chiang earned his degree at New York University and studied Design Management at Parsons School for Design, New York. Chiang is one of the founders of DEM Inc., a brand and design consulting office in Taiwan.
Georg Todtenbier was a sculptor before he decided to study Industrial Design in Germany and Tokyo. After that, he worked for the Panasonic Design Team in Japan. Today, he is a manager at CRE8 DESIGN, Taiwan, and also works as a lecturer in the field of product design. Todtenbier lives in Taiwan, where he pursues such hobbies as freeriding and downhill riding.
Henry Chang is the design manager and co founder of Gearlab, a design agency in Taiwan. Prior to that, Chang worked as a design manager at DEM Inc., Taiwan, and as a product designer at Phison Electronics, Taiwan. Chang is specialized in the outdoor industry; he is particularly interested in bicycle and kayak design.
Ishigaki Tetsuya heads TOYO FRAME CO., LTD, a Japanese bicycle frame manufacturing company. Ishigaki Tetsuya learned everything there is to know about frame design and construction from his father, the “frame designer legend” Ishigaki Yoshiaki, as well as from other renowned specialists – today he is a well known “master frame builder” himself.