What if you could choose the future?

The Electrolux Design Lab 2014 is an idea competition that invites design students from around the world to present innovative concepts for our future homes.

The trends for this 12th edition focus on healthy domestic environments designed for the future, presenting intelligent solutions and provocative designs. The concepts Create the Future of Healthy Homes in three focus areas: Air Purification, Culinary Enjoyment and Fabric Care.

This year edition had more than 1700 participants from around the world and was held in three stages, allowing contestants to develop their concepts throughout the process. Among the semi-finalists chosen for the final stage of the competition is the project "Little Helper" by Rita Moreira, from ESAD - Escola Superior de Artes e Design de Matosinhos, Portugal.

Inserted in the category Culinary Enjoyment, the Little Helper is an urban farmer’s assistant in ensuring they grow they vegetables with ease. The concept analyzes the seeds that are being used for farming, connects with the user’s mobile application and starts to give out instructions how to grow the plant. A dispositive will be placed to the ground with the seed, following its growth and reporting back to the user. The Little Helper comes from an idea that future generations will possibly not know the traditions of farming and need guidance to keep up the interest in nature and growing their own food to remain healthy.

See the project here: electroluxdesignlab.com/2014/submission/little-helper/

“This year’s Electrolux Design Lab semi-finalists have created visionary concepts that are prime examples of what you might see in the home of the future,” said Lars Erikson, Head of Jury and Head of Group Design at Electrolux. “They focus on connectivity, biomimicry, robotics, wearable tech, recycling and reusing materials, all promoting healthy, sustainable lifestyles at home — virtually in some cases. Overall, the concepts make our everyday busy lives more efficient and our choices more sustainable for a greener planet.”

The Top 6 finalists will be chosen by the Electrolux experts and will be announced in October. The winner of the competition will be chosen in a final event in November. The 1st prize will be awarded to the student that the judges highlighted as creator of an absolutely innovative design solution for the future. This student will receive 5,000 Euros and a 6-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design center; the 2nd prize will receive 3,000 Euros; and 3rd prize will receive 2,000 Euros.

Starting today there will also be a public vote where you can choose your favorite project. The most popular concept chosen by the public among the semi-finalists will win the People’s Choice Award with a prize for 1,000 Euros.

Check out the semi-finalists and vote for your favorite through the website: electroluxdesignlab.com/2014/