Embark on a journey through 44 years of the International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), exploring winners that epitomize visionary design. From revolutionary transportation solutions to life-changing medical advancements, these designs have left a lasting mark on our world. As we celebrate these design icons, we also pave the way for future innovators, inspiring creativity and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Join us on this exploration and in celebrating the transformative impact of design.
Explore these iconic winners in the transportation category and let their stories inspire your entries for IDEA 2024, accepting entries from January 3 to March 11, 2024.
Athlete’s Plane - Bronze, 2015
Designed by Annaliese Chapa, Franco Cagnina, Philipp Steiner and Wayne Yutani of TEAGUE; Tinker Hatfield, Toby Hatfield and Thomas Bell of NIKE; and Paul Winsper
The Athlete’s Plane, a collaboration between Nike and Teague, reimagines air travel for sports teams, setting new standards aboard Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. Tailored specifically for athletes, its design centers on optimizing performance pillars—Recovery, Circulation, Sleep, and Mental Preparedness—providing a sanctuary amidst extensive travel.
The interior design revolutionizes the athlete’s travel experience, offering integrated biometrics for quick injury diagnosis, noise-reduction features, and purpose-built sleeping areas. Garnering global attention, this pioneering concept represents a transformative approach to sports team travel, continuously evolving with advancements in technology and ongoing insights gleaned from elite athletes.
Tesla Model S - Gold, 2013
Designed by Franz von Holzhausen of Tesla Motors
The Tesla Model S redefined electric vehicles, combining pioneering technology with timeless elegance. It stands as a paradigm of automotive excellence, featuring the Tesla powertrain that delivers both unprecedented range and an exhilarating driving experience. Its structure, maintaining near-perfect weight distribution and a low center of gravity, offers the agility of a sports car merged with the luxury ride expected from a sedan.
Crafted through an innovative architectural approach, the Model S positions its battery pack flat like a skateboard beneath the floor, optimizing weight distribution without compromising safety or comfort. The fusion of aerodynamic design, automotive-grade lithium-ion batteries, and a 17-inch infotainment touchscreen symbolizes excellence—265 miles of range, luxurious interiors accommodating seven, and an eco-friendly, aesthetically appealing vehicle that transcends driving preferences.
New York City Transit R142A Subway Car - Silver, 2001
Designed by Antenna Design New York Inc. and MTA, Arts for Transit
The R142A Subway Car embodies functional and resilient design, transcending aesthetics to meet the demanding standards of New York City’s bustling transit system. Its durable melamine walls stand as a robust defense against unsightly “scratchiti,” maintaining a polished appearance despite heavy daily usage. More than just a visually striking addition to the subway fleet, this innovative design prioritizes passenger security through its thoughtful seat-end railings, offering a reassuring layer of protection in a busy platform environment.
Crafted for durability and practicality, the R142A Subway Car’s design choices showcase a keen understanding of the subway’s dynamic environment. Its resilient materials and intelligent features underscore a commitment to enduring quality amid the daily chaos of NYC’s subway system.
BMW Group's Mini Cooper S - Gold, 2003
Designed by BMW AG, Germany
The MINI Cooper S stands as a redefinition of a classic. Born from a ’50s challenge, it emerged in 2000 as a reinvigorated icon, retaining the original Mini’s charm while embracing modern technology and design. Renowned for its go-cart handling and ingenious use of materials, this iteration offers an elevated interior, setting a new benchmark for quality and style in its class. The MINI Cooper S, a fusion of heritage and innovation, extends its appeal to a wider market, reshaping perceptions of style, value, and performance.
Segway Human Transporter - Gold, 2002
Designed by Segway LLC
Upon its release, the Segway Human Transporter (HT) was heralded as the embodiment of futuristic innovation, positioning itself as the device of the future. Through advanced self-balancing technology, the HT empowers users to traverse distances more swiftly and efficiently while remaining fully immersed in their immediate environment.
This personal mobility device was envisioned to revolutionize urban transportation and change the way cities were structured. Its unveiling generated unprecedented anticipation, being touted as a transformative solution that would reshape urban living and city mobility.
Volkswagen's New Beetle - 1998
Designed by Design Center California of Volkwagen of America, Simi Valley, CA; and Volkswagen Design Center of Volkswagen, Wolfsburg, Germany
Reviving the cherished sentiment linked to the classic Beetle while embracing a forward-looking vision, Volkswagen’s 1998 New Beetle honored the iconic silhouette while making a bold departure from a strictly retro approach. Steering away from a nostalgic stance, this reimagined model embraced futuristic elements by simplifying design to the elemental shapes of circles and spheres. Inside, a modernized interior blended cutting-edge features with a focus on simplification, prioritizing ease of use by streamlining essential driving functions.
Enter IDEA 2024
The 44th annual International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) is accepting entries through March 11, 2024. Submit your work for the chance to be recognized among the most influential and groundbreaking designs of our time.