IHA News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Deborah A.Teschke
Manager, Media Relations & Communications
847-692-0110

25 Products Named 2007 Design Defined Honoree At  International
Home & Housewares Show

Twenty-One Companies Awarded for Products Ranging from Cleaning Products to Clothing Care to Home Decor

CHICAGO (March 13, 2007)—The International Housewares Association has announced the honorees of its thrird annual Designed Defined product design initiative at the 2007 International Home & Housewares Show held at Chicago’s McCormick Place March 11-13. Twenty-five innovative products for cleaning and organizing the home were named as 2007 Design Defined Product Design Honorees.

The products were selected by Design Finders, teams of young designers, experienced practitioners and educators from the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Interdisciplinary Product Development Program. They scoured hundreds of exhibitors in the Clean, Contain & Outdoor Domain Expo in the North Building and the Home Décor category in the Dine & Design Expo in the South Building, searching for products that exemplified a commitment to design while achieving a solution to common household cleaning, storage and home décor issues.
 
“The purpose of the Design Defined program is to bring attention to those companies that have placed a premium on quality design,” said Phil Brandl, president of IHA, which sponsors the Show. “We are pleased to announce the results of this pioneering effort.”
Design Finders evaluated products according to five standard design criteria:

• Innovation: How is the design new and unique?
• Aesthetics: How does the appearance enhance the product?
• User: How does the design solution benefit the user?
• Environment: How is the product ecologically responsible?
• Impact: How did or might the product impact the market and the company’s business?

Recognized as Design Defined Product Design Honorees are:

AquaVista Enterprise, Inc.
Picture Frame Aquarium

Casabella
Hanging Lint Roller
Clip-On Squeegee

Dazzl Co., Ltd.
Double Sided Ironing Board

Delta Design Company
Bach Garment Hanger
Vermeer Shelving Unit

Eat-Sleep-Play (Progressive Int’l. Corp)
6-in-1 Multi-Opener

Ecopod
Home Recylcing Center

ETL-Energy Technology Laboratories
Oxygenics Showerhead

Harvest Enterprise
Solar Camping Lantern

HOMZ, Home Products
On-the-Go Landry Bag Line

Insight Imports
Natural Flower Lights

Keepeez
Vacuum Lib

KNG America
Auto Dispense Organic Air Freshner

L & S America
Pelota LED Lamp

Like-It Co., Ltd.
Like-It Media Storage Center

Mia Grill Company
Infusion Grill

Oasis Concepts
Small Cutting Board Cart

simplehuman
Slim Toilet Brush
Flip & Fit Shower Caddy

The Companion Group
Katie Brown Tableware

The Frank Group
The Wave Box—portable microwave

Umbra, LLC
Power Hook
Prop Cookbook Stand

Z-Innovative Products, LLC
Z Broom