Core77

We were recently lamenting the current dearth of inventors and glut of inane products, so we were thrilled to hear tell of the upcoming "Eye for Why" design competition. Sponsored by the James Dyson Foundation and the IDSA, "Eye for Why" asks students to examine actual real-world problems and use design to solve them in a functional way.

[The entry] must solve a problem, work well, and provide real advantages over existing offerings.

Hallelujah!

This year's high-caliber jurors include include Yves Behar, Tucker Viemeister and Niels Diffrient. We're also hoping the entry queue at the ceremony has a special trapdoor, so that anyone who's designed a USB-anything will be summarily dumped into a pit and incinerated with USB-powered flamethrowers.

Time's tight on this one, kids--the entries are due by February 9th. Incentive? How's five large and a trip to NYC sound? Not to mention the winner will automatically be entered to compete for the James Dyson award, involving yet more cash and a chance to interact with Dyson Research and Development. Click here for details.