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Design Ideas
Thoughts 16 years ago No Comments

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Those of us in the design industry are idea-addicts, and though our bodies might go on holiday, our minds rarely take the siesta on the beach alongside us. Whether we oversee a creative phase like design development or contribute designideas.gifto the process with left-brained specification writing, innate artistic expression lies within, and it’s usually looking for an escape hatch. So if you have accumulated a backlog of doodles and design ideas because your mind has been experiencing snow flurries of activity while your body has been relaxing in the summer heat, maybe you can put them to good use through the following outlets, possibly turning your designs into cash.

IDEASTOX
Looking for support (a.k.a. all important funding) to develop your innovative idea for a fold-up home office workstation, a multi-functional retail display kiosk or a motion-sensor triggered audio/video system specifically for the hospitality industry” Then share it on IDEASTOX. This service allows you to plant, cultivate, harvest and take your idea “to market” – all for free.

Textile Republic
Not only can you swap stories and suggestions with other creatives from around the globe here, but you can submit work for consideration in their continual design competition. If your design wins, then you’ll get your mug posted on the site receive $1,000 US plus 5% royalty on the sale of all items – wallpaper, fabric, stationery, etc. – featuring your work.

SKUUMA Soft Surface Design Competition
A group of former students of the Design Academy Eindhoven organized this international design competition. Five winners, who will be announced at 2008 Dutch Design Week, will have their designs manufactured and added to the SKUUMA home and office collection, receiving royalties on sales. This ship has already sailed for 2008 (submissions were due July 23), but watch the horizon for 2009.

Laura McDonald Stewart, ASID / IIDA
Interior Designer / Founder