Contests / 3MPlast Outdoor Modular Sofa / Brief
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CONTEST TYPOLOGY: SINGLE - PRODUCT DESIGN (What’s this?)
25 Jan 24
BRIEF
Summary
New product design contest on Desall.com: 3MPlast and Desall invite you to design a chic and versatile modular outdoor sofa made of polymeric materials that can be customised to meet individual preferences and requirements.
Company description
At 3MPlast, we’re not just a manufacturing company – we’re a dynamic team of innovators and change-makers driven by excellence, sustainability, and making a positive impact on the world around us. As a global leader in long lasting lifestyle solutions for the home and beyond, we’re all about redefining what’s possible in manufacturing. Our solutions are engineered with people in mind, making everyday life easier, better, and more sustainable.
We take pride in delivering exceptional customer service and premium, sustainable products that are built to last. From premium pallets, crates, and storage boxes to stylish home and outdoor furniture and storage solutions, we’re at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing. Our industry experts are dedicated to shaping a more sustainable future by increasing our use of recycled material and reaching a zero waste facility.
Resources
The brief is available in the following languages:
- English
- Italian
Download the Material files.
Build your inspiration board on the Inspiration tab and explore ideas shared by fellow creatives!
What we are looking for
We seek a new modular plastic sofa for outdoor use, comprising a series of modules enabling various configurations with different shapes, heights, and dimensions – ranging from a single seat to a multi-seat sofa with a coffee table.
Guidelines
To ensure the successful implementation of your proposals, please consider the following guidelines:
Product typology
You are invited to design an outdoor sofa that can be assembled and disassembled with ease by combining a series of modular parts.
The parts required to assemble the sofa are:
1. Backrest: may or may not be connected to the seat.
2. Armrest: may or may not be connected to the seat.
3. Seat: without backrest and armrests, it can become a small table or a stool.
4. Legs: can be connected to the seat. Two identical legs can be combined to form a higher leg and obtain furniture with different heights.
5. Cushions: removable upholstered fabric components for seating and back support.
The module designs must offer a high degree of versatility and practicality. For example, two backrests can be combined on one seat to form a corner module, or different seats can be linked together. This allows for various configurations such as an armchair, a two-seater, an L-shaped or irregularly-shaped sofa, a sofa paired with a matching coffee table, or a single or double sunlounger, etc.
The sofa can be used without cushions, with just one cushion for sitting, or with two cushions – one for the seat and one for the backrest. To enhance comfort when using the sofa without cushions, additional plastic components can be integrated into the design.
Check out the Inspiration section for composition examples.
For economic and environmental sustainability, the modules should be made using the least number of moulds possible (ideally 5-6 at most).
The sofa must be easy to assemble and disassemble without tools, providing customers with the utmost flexibility to:
a. Rearrange as desired
b. Expand with additional modules
c. Disassemble and store during winter months
The sofa should be easily assembled using joints and elements made from moulds, without the need for screws or bolts.
Refer to the Inspiration section for examples of similar products.
Style
The sofa should embody a bohemian and eclectic style while maintaining a modern, elegant, and minimalist design that adds a touch of creativity to its surroundings. It should be perceived as a high-quality, functional, and comfortable product.
Simple linear or woven elements should be incorporated into the design, but alternative design elements are also welcome.
Colour choice is at your discretion, with solid colours and/or wood-effect colours being acceptable. A matte (non-glossy) finish is required.
Visit the Inspiration section for examples of the desired style.
Logo
The company logo must be discreetly displayed on every individual module of the product. The logo can be found in the downloadable “Material files”: .
Dimensions
The following dimensions apply to the various modules, based on a basic configuration of the sofa with single seat:
- Width and depth of the single seat, approximately from 50x50 cm to 60x60 cm.
- Maximum height of the single seat including the backrest, approximately 80 cm.
A sofa consisting of a single seat with backrest, four legs, and two armrests should occupy a volume of approximately 0.05-0.1 cubic metres after packing to optimise transport space.
Materials and production technologies
Each sofa module should be made of a single plastic material, typically polypropylene or glass-fibre reinforced plastic.
You may propose the use of other recyclable plastics, provided they are compatible with mass production technologies, particularly the injection moulding process. Glass is permitted only as an accessory top to be added to the small tables. The use of other materials (e.g., metals, wood, etc.) is not permitted.
The sofa should be produced by injection moulding, and in terms of economic and environmental sustainability, as few moulds as possible (maximum 5-6) must be used to create the modules.
Target group and context of use
The product targets customers in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. It is intended for placement in outdoor areas, particularly on beaches, in gardens, or on terraces.
Required materials
Provide detailed descriptions and up to 5 images to effectively present your projects. Images should be in 4:3 format, with .jpg, .gif or .png file formats acceptable. The colour mode should be RGB and the maximum size of a single file should be 1 MB. It is advisable to use the appropriate field on the upload page to attach a .zip folder with the 3D files and high-resolution images of the proposed project, as well as a video if applicable. Maximum size of the .zip archive: 100MB.
Judging criteria
The entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Technical feasibility 5/5
Functionality and user-friendliness ( Modularity ) 5/5
Aesthetics 4/5
Degree of innovation 4/5
Economic and environmental sustainability 4/5
Language
English – Desall is an international community, so all texts (abstract, description, tags, etc.) must be written in English.
Contest Timeline
Add the contest to your calendar
Upload phase: 09 May 2023 – 14 September 2023 (1.59 PM UTC)
Concept review: 13 June 2023 (1.59 PM UTC)
Client vote: from 14 September 2023
Winner announcement: tentatively by the end of January 2024
Concept review (optional)
Participants have the opportunity to request an optional review of their project by the Desall Team by the date indicated in the timeline above. To do so, they must 1) save their project as a draft from the upload page and 2) send a request at contest@desall.com or through the contact form. The review is not mandatory and only provides an opportunity for participants to receive feedback but does not constitute a necessary condition for participation or provide any advantage in the final evaluation by the Sponsor.
Participation criteria
Participation is free and open to creative talents of any nationality aged 18 or older. Participants may submit one or more projects, but only projects published on the website www.desall.com from the upload page dedicated to the contest will be accepted.
Award
1°: €2000
The selection of winners will be the result of an indisputable evaluation by the Sponsor. Originality, feasibility, and coherence with the brief will be taken into consideration.
Extra Award (option right fee)
€1200
Throughout the duration of the option right, the Sponsor offers an additional opportunity to all participants by setting the compensation of €1200 for the purchase of the license for the economic exploitation of projects not recognized as winning proposals. For more information, log in and read the Contest Agreement from the upload page. For questions about the brief, use the “Have a question” button or write to contest@desall.com.
Language
Since we are an international Community, all texts provided with your uploads (abstract, description, tags, etc.) should be written in English.
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Desall required files
Minimum 1 image, up to 5.
Recommended dimensions: 960 x 720px (player size) ; allowed format: .jpg , .gif , .png; color mode: RGB;
allowed resolution: 72 dpi ; max file (for each one) size: 1 mb.
