Mirko Vujicic Is Honored with the Platinum A' Design Award for Catzz Cat Bed in Pet Care, Toys, Supplies and Products for Animals Design

Mirko Vujicic acknowledged for pet care, toys, supplies and products for animals design by the international grand jury of the 2019 - 2020 A' Design Award & Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMO, Italy, April 22, 2020 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has confirmed the Platinum A' Design Award in the Pet Care, Toys, Supplies and Products for Animals Design category for Catzz Cat Bed by Mirko Vujicic. The award was conferred within the 2019 - 2020 A' Design Award & Competition and was reached through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.

About the Platinum A' Design Award

The Platinum A' Design Award is recognized for honoring designs that stand at the forefront of creativity and innovation. It is the highest accolade bestowed by the A' Design Awards, acknowledging works that blend remarkable innovation with impactful societal contributions. These designs not only showcase exceptional artistic and technical proficiency but also highlight their creators' commitment to advancing the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology. Recipients of this award are celebrated for their role in shaping the aesthetics and trends of our time, contributing significantly to the enhancement of quality of life and promoting sustainable development.

Regarding Catzz Cat Bed

When designing Catzz cat bed, the inspiration was drawn from needs of cats and owners alike, and need to unite function, simplicity and beauty. While observing cats, their unique geometrical features inspired the clean and recognizable form. Some characteristic behavioral patterns (e.g. ear movement) became incorporated into cat's user experience. Also, bearing owners in mind, the aim was to create a piece of furniture they could customize and proudly display. Moreover, it was important to ensure easy maintenance. All of which the sleek, geometrical design and modular structure enable.

About Mirko Vujicic

Mirko is a Belgrade based industrial designer who graduated from the Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Applied Arts, University of Arts in Belgrade, where he is currently employed. He has always been interested in efficient and practical solutions to everyday issues. On one hand, issues that highlight social responsibility, functionality and user experience, and on the other, require artistic passion while creating the form. Therefore, among others, he participated in projects of national importance such as a project that aimed to raise environmental awareness in kindergartners, but he was also awarded for automotive projects and he participated in a realized project of a race car.

Award Record

This recognition makes Mirko Vujicic a winner of 1 A' Design Award.

About the A' Pet Care, Toys, Supplies and Products for Animals Design Award

The A' Pet Care Design Award is an international design competition recognizing good pet supplies, toys and product designs by designers and brands worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to pet care designers, animal toy designers, pet supply manufacturers and pet care brands from all countries. Typical entries include pet food, pet apparel, pet beds, feeding bowls, litter boxes and pet carriers. The awarded pet supply designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/pet-care

About A' Design Award & Competition

Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com

Press Resources

Winner Page: https://designers.org/102975
A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/102975
Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!102975
Laureate Profile: https://designers.org/d/273472

Media Contact

Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953

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Fact Sheet

The Work

Project: Catzz Cat Bed
Function: Cat Bed
Category: Pet Care, Toys, Supplies and Products for Animals Design
Discipline: Product Design
Industry: Packaging & Retail and Furniture & Home
Colors: Dark Gray, Gray, Black, Dark Slate Gray and Lavender
Images: 5

The Recognition

Laureate: Mirko Vujicic
Country: Serbia
Recognition: Platinum A' Design Award
Edition: 2019 - 2020
Design ID: #102975

Design Details

Unique Properties: Catzz cat bed relies on clean and contemporary design, which is the result of careful thinking and research in order to make a perfect combination of functionality, content and form. The modularity of the product enables personalization, reconfiguration, easy maintenance and conveniently flat packaging.
Inspiration: I was inspired by my own cat in terms of both form and function. Distinct geometry in my cat facial features guided the form of design, whereas her movement and behavior inspired the interactive aspect. The material was chosen to fit the cat needs for a warm and snugly environment, which felt provides. Knowing that cats are always on the lookout for the perfect hiding and resting spot and that their preferences vary, it was important for me to provide the possibility for adaptation.
Research: The purpose of the research was to gain insight into cat owners' needs and wishes regarding cat furniture and toys. First, a survey was conducted in March, 2019. The total of 250 participants completed the survey anonymously. The results showed that most participants valued these characteristics most (in decreasing order): ease of cleaning, ability to personalize it, contemporary design, and reasonable price. Secondly, using prototypes, the functionality and ergonomics were tested.
Challenge: After the research, a clear need for a cat bed that assembles and disassembles easily, but is sturdy at the same time, arose. The challenge was not to use any screws and to avoid using tools. I needed something simple. Therefore, I opted for snap fasteners to connect the triangular modules reliably and plastic plates to strengthen them within, making modules thin and sturdy. As a result, those modules can fit into a flat packaging which is simple to transport.
Realization and Technology: Triangular modules are made from felt pieces and plastic plates, all cut by a laser. Two felt pieces are glued to a plastic plate in the middle, and the hems of felt pieces are sewn. Each module corner has a snap fastener stud attached. Assembly connectors, made from metal by cutting and bending, have snap fastener sockets attached. Modules used for "ears" do not have a plastic plate, but only two pieces of felt sewn together, and have fabric connectors because the "ears" need flexibility.
Operation and Interaction: Catzz cat bed can be easily disassembled if needed to be washed, transported or reconfigured. It comes in different colors so that it can match the cat color or complement the space. Also, it can be transformed in three variants to fit the cat personality and needs (e.g. more or less privacy or warmth). It comes with a cat toy tied to Catzz cat bed ear by an elastic string, which makes the ear move when the cat plays with the toy, and if there is more than one cat, they can join the play.
Project Duration and Location: The idea was born in Belgrade, in the beginning of 2019. It was followed by numerous sketches and mock-up models, and searches for different kinds of materials. In September 2019, after having finalized the design, I made the prototype. The prototype enabled an insight into the product's minor flaws, which were dealt with. Afterwards, technical specifications and production technology were defined in January 2020.
Specifications: Product dimensions: Width: 570 mm Depth: 580 mm Height: 610 mm Triangular module (equilateral triangle) specifications: Edge dimension: 288 mm Thickness: 11 mm
Keywords: cat bed, pet furniture, pet supplies, cat toys