Catching Heat:
Smart Design builds a better moustrap. Literally.
By Tim Kennedy

>>Click to launch slideshow of entries<<

Last October, after an arduous and much-delayed raw space build-out, Smart Design's New York office moved into its vast new space in the Starret-Leigh building in Chelsea. One afternoon shortly after settling in, the bustling hum of the studio was halted by a shrill scream and panic coming from the kitchen. In a single moment, the staff's perception of a pristine, brand new, cutting edge office was shattered. In its place was the image of a vast, grubby warehouse with an unwanted rodent loose and running free.

Not to miss the opportunity for the staff to participate in the fundamental design challenge of all time, we decided to launch the Smart Design International Mousetrap Competition 2006, open not only to staff in the New York office, but also in the San Francisco and Barcelona Smart Design offices. The Grand Prize was swanky dinner for 2; other award winners received bottles of wine--which were graciously shared with the entire office.
 
The rules were simple--there were none. People from all types of backgrounds were encouraged to meet the challenge, by any means possible, using whatever skills were appropriate. Participants came from people in finance, legal, administrative assistance, IT, interaction design, industrial design, model-making, and management. The entries were not limited to physical objects, and did not necessarily need to include an intent-to-kill. Some stressed the humane ("The Morale Mouse" captures the rodent and then FedExes it to Florida), while others indulged in self-mockery ("Bored to Death" forces the mouse to endure monthly Smart Design finance report meetings, ultimately leading to its demise).

We should go on record here by saying that no actual mice were harmed during the development or judging of this competition. (Not sure the same can be said of the design staff, of course.)

We hope you enjoy the results!

>>Click to launch slideshow of entries<<

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Tim Kennedy is the Director of Industrial Design at Smart Design, New York City.