The Department of Design at UNIST has secured international acclaim for its innovative designs at the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2024.
Among the noteworthy winners is Respa Chups, an innovative inhalation device designed specifically for children suffering from asthma. Crafted in the shape of a lollipop, this unique inhaler features a color-changing film that indicates the appropriate suction pressure, enabling pediatric asthma patients to visually monitor and improve their inhalation technique. Upon completion of inhalation, the device provides haptic feedback, simplifying the asthma management process for young users.
Respa Chups: An innovative inhalation device in the shape of a lollipop for pediatric asthma patients. l Image Credit: Department of Design, UNIST
Another remarkable entry is Safie, a smart ice detection device aimed at enhancing winter road safety. Utilizing advanced CMF sensor technology, Safie displays the thickness and safety of ice surfaces through dynamic color changes, offering crucial warnings for outdoor enthusiasts. Notably, this device can operate continuously without recharging for over six months.
Safie: A smart ice detection device aimed at improving winter road safety. l Image Credit: Department of Design, UNIST
Additionally, Lumivita, a lightweight wearable device designed to prevent suffocation in industrial settings, has achieved recognition. This device detects hazardous gases and alerts workers through color changes and flickering. Designed for use on safety helmets, Lumivita‘s light intensity varies according to gas concentration, providing timely warnings of potential dangers.
Lumivita: A lightweight wearable device designed to prevent suffocation in industrial settings. l Image Credit: Department of Design, UNIST
Furthermore, Careever, a digital service designed to support caregivers and elderly individuals living independently, has also been honored. This service aims to combat loneliness and enhance communication between caregivers and family members. It features a calendar function that allows caregivers to efficiently manage schedules and share nursing records through a smart memo feature.
Careever: A digital service designed to support caregivers and elderly individuals living on their own. l Image Credit: Department of Design, UNIST
The Red Dot Design Award is an internationally recognized competition that signifies excellence in product design, communication design, and design concepts. Organized by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany, it is regarded as one of the world’s top three design awards, alongside the iF Design Award and the International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA). With this recent achievement, ㅊ of the Department of Design at UNIST has accomplished a remarkable grand slam by securing victories from the Red Dot Design Award, the iF Design Award, and IDEA.
“We have developed next-generation materials through collaboration with our engineering colleagues at UNIST,” Professor Kim stated. “Our aim has been to create innovative products and services that enhance human safety and well-being through design.”
The award-winning designs are the result of collaborative research involving Paru Co., Ltd., as well as Professor Jongnam Park’s team from the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Professor Chang Young Lee’s team from the School of Energy Chemical Engineering at UNIST. These projects were also part of a recent initiative aimed at developing CMF design for biologically and environmentally responsive printed electronics chameleon sheets, conducted in partnership with Sungkyunkwan University and KoPEA.
