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Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer by Excel Dryer and Artists for Humanity

Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer by Excel Dryer and Artists for Humanity is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 Bronze A' Design Award in Bathroom Furniture and Sanitary Ware Design Competition Category.


BronzeSanitary Ware· 2024

Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer

by Excel Dryer and Artists for Humanity

Client: Excel Dryer, Inc.

Bronze A' Design Award Winner in Sanitary Ware Category

44,514

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #158659

Colors

The Design

About Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer

Excel Dryer partnered with the Boston nonprofit organization Artists For Humanity to collaborate on creating the world's coolest hand dryers. Using their proprietary digital image technology, Excel was able to transfer the art created by the artists from Artists For Humanity on to their hand dryer covers. This transformed an industrial commercial product into a piece of art that reflected the mission of Artists For Humanity, blending functionality and creativity to keep their hands hygienic and clean while being an aesthetically pleasing product for their restrooms.

The Recognition

About the Bronze A' Design Award

Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer is a Bronze A' Design Award winner, a highly prestigious recognition granted to outstanding designs distinguished by creativity, ingenuity, and astuteness. Bronze winners are amply skillful and strikingly creative artifacts that authenticate the vast experience, imagination, and resourcefulness of their designers. Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished object that is notably professional and innovative. This Bronze A' Design Award-winning design incorporates best practices in art, science, design, and technology, and is excellent for its attention to detail. Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer splendidly satisfies needs, touches desires, charms feelings, and appeals to curiosity.

Interviews

Design Interview

What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

The main principle and inspiration behind the Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer design stem from our unique initiative with Artists For Humanity (AFH). At Excel Dryer, we believe in merging functionality with artistry, and our collaboration with AFH provided the perfect opportunity to realize this vision.

Artists For Humanity, based in Boston, empowers high school students by engaging them in paid art and design projects, preparing them for college and their future careers. Recognizing the tremendous potential of AFH's teen artists, we partnered with them to create custom covers for our XLERATOR® Hand Dryers. This collaboration not only beautifies the restrooms but also supports the young artists' growth and showcases their talents.

The specific design of the Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer was created by young artist Takii Samuels. Samuels used his colorblindness to his unique advantage as it allows him to focus on the connections and relationships in his life through his artwork. He carefully selects colors he can see, which creates a thematic through line in his body of work. Samuel's art for the Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer reflects his personal journey and the intricate web of connections that define human relationships. His work has found homes in multiple art collections, and this particular piece on the hand dryer is a testament to his ability to transform everyday objects into thought-provoking art.

By integrating Samuels's vision with our advanced hand dryer technology, we aimed to enhance the user experience in restrooms, making it not only more hygienic and efficient but also visually engaging and reflective of the vibrant creativity of young artists.

What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

Our main focus in designing the Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer was to transform traditional commercial restrooms into dynamic works of art while simultaneously supporting and showcasing the talents of young teen artists. Through our collaboration with Artists For Humanity, we aimed to blend functionality with creativity, turning a utilitarian device into a visually engaging piece that tells a story.

At Excel Dryer, we recognize the importance of creating environments that are not only efficient and hygienic but also inspiring and aesthetically pleasing. By incorporating custom artwork from AFH's talented teen artists, we wanted to enhance the restroom experience for users, making it more enjoyable and memorable. This approach allows us to elevate everyday spaces and infuse them with artistic value, breaking the monotony of traditional commercial restrooms.

In addition to transforming restrooms, our goal was to support the growth and development of young artists. AFH provides high school students in Boston with opportunities to work on paid art and design projects, helping them prepare for college and their future careers. By partnering with AFH, we offer these young artists a platform to showcase their work in public spaces, boosting their confidence and providing them with valuable exposure.

Ultimately, our goal was to achieve a harmonious blend of art and functionality, creating hand dryers that not only perform their primary function but also contribute to the aesthetic and cultural enrichment of the spaces they inhabit. By doing so, we hope to inspire others to see the potential for beauty and creativity in everyday objects, all while supporting and celebrating the talents of young artists.

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

Our future plans for the award-winning Complex Thoughts Hand Dryer are centered around expanding its impact and continuing to support the mission of Artists For Humanity (AFH). We now have this unique hand dryer as part of our AFH collection which is available for purchase, allowing businesses and organizations to incorporate them into their restrooms and contribute to a greater cause.

By selling the Complex Thoughts Hand Dryers, we aim to generate funds that will directly benefit AFH. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to AFH, helping to sustain their valuable programs to support the youth of Boston with paid opportunities to work on art and design projects. This financial support will enable AFH to continue their mission of empowering young artists, fostering their creativity, and preparing them for successful futures.

Moreover, we hope to inspire other companies and organizations to recognize the potential for integrating art into their spaces, creating environments that are not only functional but also visually stimulating and culturally enriching. By showcasing the work of talented young artists like Takii Samuels, we aim to elevate the perception of commercial restrooms and encourage a broader appreciation for art in everyday settings.

Our collaboration with AFH is a testament to the power of community partnerships in driving positive change. As we move forward, we will continue to seek opportunities to support and promote the work of emerging artists, ensuring that their voices are heard and their talents are celebrated. Through the sale of the Complex Thoughts Hand Dryers, we hope to create a ripple effect that extends far beyond the restroom, touching the lives of countless individuals and communities.

Read the Full Interview

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
The Complex Thoughts Xlerator retrofit kit transforms a commercial hand dryer into a functional art piece, enhancing aesthetic and utility in workspaces. Created by the teen artists from Artists for Humanity (AFH), this project exemplifies the integration of art with commercial products while enhancing the environment and fostering community collaboration. The initiative advances hygiene standards while supporting emerging artists, seamlessly merging functionality with creativity.
Dimensions & Packaging
The retrofit hand dryer has dimensions of 415.925mm x 85.725mm x 660.4mm, optimized for efficient space usage while ensuring maximum performance. In our commitment to sustainability, all of our cardboard waste is transformed into robust inserts that ensure the product's durability and protection against shipping damage. This eco-friendly approach enhances product safety during transit while aligning with our environmental responsibilities.
Tags
Hand Dryer, Artwork, Restroom, Custom Design, Sustainable, Bathroom, Hygiene, Green, Customizable, Xlerator
Production Technology
Our design uses proprietary 3D image sublimation technology from France, enabling the transfer of custom artwork onto the hand dryers. A durable, top-seal coating prevents damage from chipping, scratching, or wear.

We are the first in the world to have HPDs and EPDs for our products, illustrating the impact that our products have on health and the environment.

Xlerator EPD: https://go.exceldryer.com/xlerator-epd
Xlerator HPD: https://go.exceldryer.com/xlerator-hpd
Design Challenge
The main challenge was reimagining commercial appliances, traditionally designed for functionality, as artistic objects enhancing spaces. Using AFH's teen artists' art and Excel's proprietary digital image technology, we transferred Complex Thoughts onto the retrofit kit, overcoming creative and technical obstacles. Balancing aesthetic appeal with restroom function, we made a unique product that reflects AFH's artistic ethos, demonstrating innovation in blending art with utility.
Research
The research aimed to transform hand dryers into pieces of art, enhancing restroom aesthetics and user engagement. We combined input from architects, designers, and AFH teens. Results showed increased user satisfaction and engagement. Insights and impacts gained include the importance of aesthetics and art in restrooms. The research influenced business by adding value to a standard product, positively impacted society, and reshaped design thinking by merging functionality with art.
Inspiration
The inspiration for this project came from a desire to give back to the community and empower underutilized teens. Partnering with AFH, we aimed to inspire through a nontraditional medium: transforming everyday objects into art. This initiative reflected commitment to social responsibility, leveraging art and our dryers to give back to the community. The technical foundation is rooted in merging design principles with functional utility, blending creativity, innovation, and community engagement.
Project Duration
This project started in February 2023 in Boston at the Artists For Humanity facility and finished in April 2023 and will be showcased at a special event at their facility in June 2024.
Operation Flow
The Complex Thoughts Xlerator hand dryer retrofit kit is designed for touchless operation, ensuring hygiene and ease of use. Users simply place their hands under the unit to activate it. The speed and sound levels are adjustable, allowing for a customizable experience tailored to the environment's needs. By merging art with utility, the dryers not only promote proper hand hygiene but also enhance the overall atmosphere, leading to a superior user interaction.
Patents
Patented. Patent No. US 7,039,301 B1 Excel Dryer, Inc. 2006. United States Patent Office.
Team Members
Richard Frank
Jason Talbot
Takii Samuels
Evelyn Trans
Lydia Disla
Samuel Quintin
Stephanie Wu
Jenny Nguyen
JingYi Li
Maradia Rene
Samantha Shave
William Gagnon
Joshua Griffing
Debbie Frangie
Justin Kohut
Chris DeGray
Image Credits
Image #1: Photographer Jon Jones, Complex Thoughts, 2023
Image #2: Photographer Jon Jones, Complex Thoughts, 2023
Image #3: Photographer Jon Jones, Complex Thoughts, 2023
Image #4: Photographer Jon Jones, Complex Thoughts, 2023
Image #5: Photographer Jon Jones, Complex Thoughts, 2023
Videographer Tim O’Donnell, Pixela Pictures, The World’s Coolest Hand Dryers! – Artists for Humanity Turns Xlerators into Works of Art, 2023

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