Complex Thoughts Fa'amago Lima Mafaufauga Lavelave by Excel Dryer and Artists for Humanity

Complex Thoughts Fa'amago Lima Mafaufauga Lavelave by Excel Dryer and Artists for Humanity is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award Apamemea in Mea Tumama Competition Category.

ApamemeaMea Tumama· 2024

Complex Thoughts Fa'amago Lima Mafaufauga Lavelave

by Excel Dryer and Artists for Humanity

Client: Excel Dryer, Inc.

A' Design Award Apamemea Winner in Mea Tumama Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #158659

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Complex Thoughts Fa'amago Lima Mafaufauga Lavelave

Na galulue fa'atasi Excel Dryer ma le fa'alapotopotoga e le'i faia mo tupe mama o Boston e ta'ua o Artists For Humanity e faia ai masini fa'amago lima sili ona matagofie i le lalolagi. E ala i la latou tekinolosi ata numera fa'apitoa, na mafai ai e Excel ona fa'apipi'i ata taulima na faia e tusiata mai Artists For Humanity i luga o ufiufi o a latou masini fa'amago lima. Na liua ai lenei oloa fale gaosi fa'apisinisi i se vaega o le taulima e fa'aalia ai le misiona o Artists For Humanity, ma tu'ufa'atasi le aoga ma le foafoa ina ia tausia le mama ma le gata o lima a'o avea fo'i ma se oloa matagofie mo o latou faleta'ele.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Apamemea

O le A' Design Award Apamemea na manumalo ai Complex Thoughts Fa'amago Lima Mafaufauga Lavelave, o se faamaoniga matuā mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu ese e iloga i le fatufatuaʻi, le atamai ma le poto. O ē manumalo i le Apamemea o mea e iai le tomai atoa ma fatufatuaʻi mataʻina e faamaonia ai le poto masani tele, le mafaufau ma le atamai o tagata mamanu. E faamoemoeina Complex Thoughts Fa'amago Lima Mafaufauga Lavelave e avea ma mea e vivii tele, ua pelepelea, e iloga i le tomai faapolofesa ma mea fou. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Apamemea e tuufaatasia ai faiga sili i le faatufugaga, saienisi, mamanu ma tekonolosi ma e sili ona lelei i le mataituina o mea itiiti. Complex Thoughts Fa'amago Lima Mafaufauga Lavelave e faamalieina matagofie manaʻoga, pa i manaʻo, faalataina lagona ma faaosofia le fia iloa.

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