The iPRODUCE Hackathon, held from Thursday, April 20th to Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, showcased remarkable talent and collaborative spirit across multiple locations of the project’s five cMDFs (Community Manufacturing and Design Facilities), as well as online.
The Spanish cMDF hosted their Hackathon activities at the Catarroja Public Integrated Center for Vocational Training (CIPFP) from Thursday, April 20th to Friday, April 21st, 2023. Three teams stood out, showcasing their collaborative designs and bringing them to life using the innovative OpIS tools.
Among the prizes awarded to the winning team was the coveted iPRODUCE trophy, handcrafted by the cMDF, and a specialised training course offered by AIDIMME. Their winning product, showcased through a video, was shared across the iPRODUCE network and various social media channels, further amplifying their success.
The triumphant team, named “Black&White,” presented their winning entry named “Lechuguita,” which translates to “small lettuce.” Their design drew inspiration from the form and elegance of lettuce leaves, incorporating elements of the current trend of mirrors. The team skillfully crafted a smaller-scale prototype, perfect for placement on a desk or tabletop.
The team’s disruptive shelf design eliminated the need for any traditional fittings or ironwork. Using AutoCAD, they created a meticulous 3D model and uploaded it to the Marketplace, demonstrating their adeptness in utilizing all the powerful tools offered by iPRODUCE.
The “Lechuguita” is a small table shelf that stands out due to its shelves adorned with undulating patterns, in tune with the latest design trends. The sides of the shelf offer a disruptive element, with one side perpendicular to the shelves, creating a visually captivating effect. To facilitate assembly, the piece features small grooves and holes, allowing for effortless puzzle-like construction without requiring additional fittings.
The distinguishing factors of the “Lechuguita” set it apart from existing ideas in the marketplace. The unique side placement, shelf decoration, and innovative assembly methods present fresh and unparalleled concepts to consumers seeking functional and stylish storage solutions.
The versatility of the “Lechuguita” expands beyond its initial design, finding applications as a table-top shelf for computers and books. Its compact size enables it to fit seamlessly into any area of the house, be it the bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom, catering to various storage needs.
Participating in the iPRODUCE Hackathon provided significant benefits to the “Black&White” team. It enabled them to master a platform that facilitated connections with makers, manufacturers, fablabs, and designers from diverse European sectors, leading to new collaborative opportunities in product design. Belonging to vibrant communities and being able to define individual skills and abilities allowed them to actively engage in collaborative idea generation, paving the way for innovation.
As winners of the iPRODUCE Hackathon, the team expressed their admiration for the iPRODUCE platform, emphasizing its usefulness for personal and business projects. They highlighted its ability to professionally connect them with like-minded professionals from across Europe, fostering growth and expanding horizons.
iPRODUCE has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement no. 870037. This publication reflects only the author’s view and that the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
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