A wise man once said that design competitions are like insurance for the consumers, as they provide incentive to progress. A fair enough assessment if you ask me, which is why we participate and go through the motions of innovating and progressing. Here is a look at the recent href="http://www.adesignaward.com/" target="_blank">A’Design Award and Competition; a round up of the five best designs we liked.

href="http://www.adesignaward.com/" target="_blank">1) Usb Speaker and Mic by Yen Lau

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/a_design_awards.jpg" alt="" title="A'Design Award and Competition Roundup" width="600" height="518" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64183" />

The speaker and mic work like a speakerphone and connect to the computer via USB. Whenever a call comes in, simply tell the computer to answer it, and use it as a hands-free device.

href="http://www.adesignaward.com/" target="_blank">2) Vanilla by Sahar Madanat Haddad

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An elegant chair that is inspired by the silver genration.

href="http://www.adesignaward.com/" target="_blank">3) Fashion Interaction Dress by Gholamali Balouch

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Fashion Interaction Dress is a communicative, interactive & programmable garment based on a wearable LED screen matrix. It interacts with users via joystick or other devices (USB port, webcam, etc.)

href="http://www.adesignaward.com/" target="_blank">4) Spin Chair by Jesper Legaard Jensen

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A classic yet characteristic design that exhudes life and personality. It can spin playfully when no one sits in it.

href="http://www.adesignaward.com/" target="_blank">5) Live Screen Self-Sustaining Vertical Garden by Danielle Trofe

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The Live Screen is a sculptural, self-irrigating vertical planter system that is comprised of tiered, organic-shaped pods that can house many different forms of vegetation. It promotes plant growth, sustains biodiversity, improves air quality and can serve as a healthy herb and produce source.

-/> Yanko Design/> href="http://www.yankodesign.com/">Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!/> href="http://store.yankodesign.com/">Yanko Design Store - We are about more than just concepts. See what's hot at the YD Store!/> (href="http://www.yankodesign.com/2012/02/07/adesign-award-and-competition-roundup/">A’Design Award and Competition Roundup was originally posted on href="http://www.yankodesign.com">Yanko Design)

The Autonome is a mobile phone concept with a unique charging feature. The regular way to do this will be to directly plug-in the phone to the wall socket, negating the use of any cables. Alternatively, you can detach the specialized module, tank it up and then hook it back to the phone and transfer the juice. This ways you get the freedom to use the phone whilst charging the extra ammo. I love the magnesium unibody frame designed for this, and of course the practical solution for charging. Ideal for travelers too!

Designer: href="http://www.yankodesign.com/?s="Francois+Rybarczyk"&x=0&y=0&lang=en" target="_self">Francois Rybarczyk

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/htc_autonome.jpg" alt="" title="htc_autonome" width="600" height="450" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64170" />

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/htc_autonome2.jpg" alt="" title="HTC Autonome Concept Mobile Phone by Francois Rybarczyk" width="600" height="400" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64171" />

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/htc_autonome3.jpg" alt="" title="htc_autonome3" width="600" height="378" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64172" />

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src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/htc_autonome7.jpg" alt="" title="htc_autonome7" width="600" height="871" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64176" />

-/> Yanko Design/> href="http://www.yankodesign.com/">Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!/> href="http://store.yankodesign.com/">Yanko Design Store - We are about more than just concepts. See what's hot at the YD Store!/> (href="http://www.yankodesign.com/2012/02/07/direct-power/">Direct Power was originally posted on href="http://www.yankodesign.com">Yanko Design)

Time and again we have seen designers trying to shake the image of sex toys being loud, crass and inartistic. We have here the Whoop – de – doo set of Classic Vibrators, Venus Balls and Vibrating Egg; slickly packaged and designed for pleasure giving, and yes they are artistic. I think it helps that a women designs these products, simply because she knows what she wants. As for the tech-specs, the toys come with a handy induction charging system, making them completely wireless and hassle-free.

Designer: href="http://www.annamaresova.com/design.html" target="_blank">Anna Marešová

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/whoop_de_doo.jpg" alt="" title="Whoop - de - doo Sex Toys for Women by Anna Marešová" width="600" height="450" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64157" />

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/whoop_de_doo2.jpg" alt="" title="whoop_de_doo2" width="600" height="425" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64158" />

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/whoop_de_doo3.jpg" alt="" title="whoop_de_doo3" width="600" height="330" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64159" />

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/whoop_de_doo4.jpg" alt="" title="whoop_de_doo4" width="600" height="420" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64160" />

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/whoop_de_doo5.jpg" alt="" title="whoop_de_doo5" width="600" height="360" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64161" />

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/whoop_de_doo7.jpg" alt="" title="whoop_de_doo7" width="600" height="550" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64163" />

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/whoop_de_doo6.jpg" alt="" title="whoop_de_doo6" width="600" height="550" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64162" />

src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/07/whoop_de_doo8.jpg" alt="" title="whoop_de_doo8" width="600" height="550" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64164" />

-/> Yanko Design/> href="http://www.yankodesign.com/">Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!/> href="http://store.yankodesign.com/">Yanko Design Store - We are about more than just concepts. See what's hot at the YD Store!/> (href="http://www.yankodesign.com/2012/02/07/aesthetical-approach-to-pleasure-toys-nsfw/">Aesthetical Approach To Pleasure Toys [NSFW] was originally posted on href="http://www.yankodesign.com">Yanko Design)

At first sight the Split Table seems to be like any other, but take a closer examination and you’ll see there are no nuts, bolts or glue. The table is held together only by tension and flexibility between its plywood pieces. The functional joints is as much a part of the aesthetic as it is the construction. Best of all, you can own the limited series table href="http://www.deinvasie.be" target="_blank">here!

Designer: href="http://www.deinvasie.be" target="_blank">Tore Bleuzé

class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64107" title="Split Table by Tore Bleuzé" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/03/splittable_01.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="723" />

class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64108" title="splittable_02" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/03/splittable_02.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="399" />

class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64109" title="splittable_03" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/03/splittable_03.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="599" />

-/> Yanko Design/> href="http://www.yankodesign.com/">Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!/> href="http://store.yankodesign.com/">Yanko Design Store - We are about more than just concepts. See what's hot at the YD Store!/> (href="http://www.yankodesign.com/2012/02/07/split-table/">Split Table was originally posted on href="http://www.yankodesign.com">Yanko Design)

I’m not sure if coffee is getting hotter, or we’re all getting more sensitive, but if you’ve ever grabbed your coffee cup after putting a cardboard sleeve on it you know that it can still be hot to the touch. A little modification to the original and problem solved! The Muggie sleeve features an extra handle that transforms a basic cup into an ergonomic mug that will protect your caffeine-craving hands.

Designer: href="http://www.IDsketchbook.com" target="_blank">Kyu Seop Lee

class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64113" title="Muggie - Coffee Sleeve by Kyu Seop Lee" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/03/muggie_01.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" />

class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64114" title="muggie_02" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/03/muggie_02.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" />

class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64115" title="muggie_03" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/03/muggie_03.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" />

class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64116" title="muggie_04" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/03/muggie_04.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="250" />

class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64117" title="muggie_05" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/03/muggie_05.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="338" />

class="alignnone size-full wp-image-64118" title="muggie_06" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2012/02/03/muggie_06.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="267" />

-/> Yanko Design/> href="http://www.yankodesign.com/">Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!/> href="http://store.yankodesign.com/">Yanko Design Store - We are about more than just concepts. See what's hot at the YD Store!/> (href="http://www.yankodesign.com/2012/02/07/protect-your-paw/">Protect Your Paws was originally posted on href="http://www.yankodesign.com">Yanko Design)