Mar 10, 2015

Winners of gia Global Innovation Awards announced at International Home + Housewares Show

Three internationally known suppliers of cutting-edge designed products are the winners of the gia Global Innovation Awards for product innovation at the 2015 International Home + Housewares Show. Honored are:

Best Collection Design: 

Global Honoree: THAT! for Heat THAT!!

Finalists: iittala for Ruutu

JIA Inc. for Steamer Collection.

Best Product Design:

Global Honorees: Eva Solo for Digital Kitchen ScaleJoseph Joseph for Can-Do Can OpenerTHAT! For Scoop THAT!

Finalists: Alessi USA for Cheese PleaseBig Dragon Studios for TurbineUSA Pizza CutterDavid Rasmussen Design for Wud TumblerDreamfarm for SAVELPO: Selected Company Limited for Pao Thermo Mug

Martin M. Pegler Award for the Best Booth Design: Global Honoree: Sage Vertical Gardens

 “The winners were selected by a panel of design experts who judged them on inspired design quality, brand positioning, outstanding craftsmanship, exclusive market focus and design-focused sustainability,” said Phil Brandl, president/CEO of the International Housewares Association, which owns and operates the International Home + Housewares Show and sponsors the Global Innovation Awards. “We are pleased to have these companies, who extend the limits of the design spectrum, exhibiting at the Show.”

Specialty retailers, design and consumer editors, trendspotters and independent designers served as Discover Design judges for the gia awards. They are: Julie McCallum, Gift Shop magazine; Asko Ahokas, Asko Ahokas Consulting; Jens Bauerle, Global Brand Vision; Mary Liz Curtin, Leon & Lulu; Meredith Doherty, The Grommet; Mary Rose Gearon, Global Brand Vision;  Pascal Glorieux, Glop Studio; Michael Higdon, National Building Museum; Ron Kovach, Design Applause; Dan Kraemer, IA Collaborative;  Lisa Yanz Lehman, PENSA; Lu Lyndon, Placewares+Lyndon Design; Paul Makovsky, Metropolis magazine; Lindsay Marlovits, Lindsay Marlovits Design;  Jamie Rowley, The Highline; Billy Shelton, The Sarut Group; Michele Tobin, Walker Art Center; Adrienne Wheatley, Culture + Commerce; and Terri Winter, Top3 by Design.

The awards were announced at the invitation-only gia dinner Sunday evening. The products are on display in the Discover Design Gallery, Booth S3283 in the South Building. For more information or to view the Discover Design exhibitors visit the Discover Design webpage at www.housewares.org/discoverdesign.

The 2015 International Home + Housewares Show is being held March 7-10 at Chicago’s McCormick Place and features more than 2,100 exhibitors and 60,000 total attendees from around the globe. For more information about the Show, its events and exhibitors, please visit Housewares Connect 365 on IHA’s website at www.housewares.org/housewaresconnect365.