Electrolux Design Lab 2013 is calling on design students worldwide to compete for a six-month paid internship and prize money by submitting ideas for a design solution that considers evolving challenges set to shape the future.

This year’s theme, Inspired Urban Living, has been influenced by the growth of ‘urbanisation’. For the first time, Electrolux Design Lab, is offering applicants three principal areas to choose from within the theme of ‘urbanisation’ – social cooking, natural air and effortless cleaning, and consumables and services.

Kiwis have a strong track record of success in the competition, with Massey University students achieving a top ten finalist position in the past two consecutive years. In 2012 Ben De La Roche offered a sustainable and unique solution to food storage with the “Impress” refrigerator to achieve a second placing from 1,200 entrants, whilst Rosanne de Bruin’s bouncing ball style blender “Smoobo” impressed the jury to come third in the 2011 Electrolux Design Lab student contest.

Eight finalists will be invited to participate in a concluding event, where they will present their entries to a jury of world renowned professionals. The jury will consider entries based on intuitive design, innovation and consumer insight when awarding the first prize of a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design centre and 5,000 Euros. A second prize of 3,000 Euros and third prize of 2,000 Euros are also available, and the public favourite chosen by online votes will be awarded 1,000 Euros.

The submission deadline for the first competition stage, a concept description and a sketch, is 15 March 2013. More information about the competition can be found on the Design Lab blog.