That’s proven by the finalists from our 2014 Innovation by Design competition, chosen from 1,587 boundary-pushing entries. All are listed here, and category winners will be announced at our conference in New York on October 15. Learn more at fastcodesign.com/ibd.
CityHome
By Oier Ariño, Phillip Ewing, Daniel Goodman, Hasier Larrea (MIT Media Lab Changing Places group)
Wave, and a bed slides out of a wall. Wave a different way, and here comes a table. This customizable design system makes small spaces versatile.
inForm
By Sean Follmer, Hiroshi Ishii, Daniel Leithinger (MIT Tangible Media Group)
One day, you could high-five your kid from across the globe, using MIT’s shape-shifting display that makes digital information tangible.
Pocket Printer
By Zuta Labs
The Kickstarter-funded Pocket Printer is a roving, smartphone-controlled robot carrying an ink cartridge, which can slip into a bag and be pulled out whenever the user needs a tangible document.
Puzzle Facade
By Javier Lloret
The outside of a square Austrian building is covered in lights and turned into a giant remote-controlled Rubik’s Cube. Anyone can play.
WINNER Rapid Packing Container
By Chris Curro and Henry Wang
Cardboard boxes practically assemble themselves with this design, which also uses 15% less material than a traditional box for less waste.