Hedgehog 多功能乾燥機 by Bjorn Holte, Lachlan Dunn and Magne Bolstad is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award 銅獎 in 家用電器設計 Competition Category.
銅家用電器· 2024
Hedgehog 多功能乾燥機
by Bjorn Holte, Lachlan Dunn and Magne Bolstad
Client: Hedgehog AS and Hedgehog Dryer Inc
A' Design Award 銅獎 Winner in 家用電器 Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #159723The Design
About Hedgehog 多功能乾燥機
Hedgehog係一系列多功能乾燥機,專為鞋、靴、手套同戶外運動裝備而設計。呢款乾燥機採用同水力工程師合作研發嘅高功率風扇系統,將水輪機嘅原理應用於葉輪同風扇外殼設計。由此產生嘅高壓氣流可以將暖風送入布料纖維之中,將濕氣逼出。可調節嘅發熱功能可以保護敏感物料,而離子模式就可以減少異味同細菌滋生。簡單易用嘅操作介面可以控制風量、溫度同計時器。每一支鋼製尖刺都可以獨立開關,精準引導氣流方向。可更換嘅零件設計,令產品可以使用得更耐久。
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award 銅獎
Hedgehog 多功能乾燥機是 A' Design Award 銅獎得主，這是授予以創造力、獨創性和敏銳見長的傑出設計的極具聲望的認可。銅獎得主是技藝嫻熟、創意驚人的作品，印證了其設計師豐富的經驗、想像力與機智。預計Hedgehog 多功能乾燥機將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的物品，兼具顯著的專業性與創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銅獎的設計融入藝術、科學、設計和技術領域的最佳實踐，並因注重細節而出類拔萃。Hedgehog 多功能乾燥機出色地滿足需求，觸動渴望，迷住情感，並吸引好奇心。
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- Hedgehog has created an innovative product series to revolutionize drying and organizing. The result is a more efficient and effective dryer for sports and outdoor gear. It has unique design, functionality, and performance relative to other dryers. Features include a high-quality design, a high-powered fan with quiet and tornado mode, adjustable heat for sensitive materials, ionic technology to remove odor and bacteria, increased fire safety, and replaceable parts for improved sustainability.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The optimized Hedgehog Dryer fan delivers 105 cubic meters of hot air per hour with a pressure of 300 pascal. This is enough to heat up a small room or cabin. Energy consumption is low and goes from 35 to 750 watt, depending on the setting.
Depending on model, the sizes fully assembled are:
Width 22-33 cm x Depth 8.5-16.5 cm x Height 65-125 cm.
They also pack in a very compact way for shipping:
Wall and Hanger 22 cm x 18.2 cm x 28 cm, Octopus 22cm x 14.5 cm x 40 cm, Buddy 22 cm x 14.5 cm x 46 cm. - Tags
- Hedgehog Dryer, boot dryer, shoe dryer, gear dryer, glove dryer
- Production Technology
- The dryer series introduces new technology to an existing problem to improve efficiency. To make a high-powered fan system that dries fast, the team worked with engineers from the Hydro Power Laboratory at NTNU in Norway and used the same technology as optimized water turbines. The team also designed everything – engine, impeller, housing and electronics – from the ground up. The result is an energy-efficient fan system with a drying time that is multiple times faster than similar dryers.
- Design Challenge
- The primary challenge has been combining efficient, effective technology with a sleek, functional design. Existing dryers often have relatively long drying times and basic functioning is often prioritized over product aesthetics. Hedgehog has sought to create products that are effective drying and organizing solutions that people will feel proud to feature in their homes. The goal is to have a rapid drying solution that ultimately enables people to be more active and spend more time outdoors.
- Research
- The team has qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrated that Hedgehog drying speed is faster than similar dryers during testing. For research, Hedgehog has collaborated with NTNU Hydro Power Laboratory engineers in Norway to optimize airflow. They have run tests to ensure the design is efficient and effective; it dries five times faster than most products on the market that were tested.
- Inspiration
- Widower and founder, Bjorn Holte, lost his wife to cancer and became single parent to three young children. Living in the snowy, rainy mountains of Norway, he quickly realized the daily challenge of keeping multiple pairs of gloves and boots dry and organized. After testing all the existing dryers, which were weak and ineffective with antiquated technology, he decided to reinvent the dryers, and Hedgehog Dryer is the result.
- Project Duration
- The project started in 2019 in Norway. The first version launched in retail stores across the Nordic region in the fall of 2021. The new Ionic i3 version that removes odor was released in 2023.
- Operation Flow
- The dryer has a user-friendly interface so a user can turn it on, adjust airflow, select heat, choose ionic odor remover setting, and set timer.
What makes this fan much faster is the impeller and the fan house, which together generate high-pressure air flow. Hot air is pushed into the fabric of the item being dried, and humidity is pushed out.
In addition, the dryer has various extensions for different drying needs. On/off switches for each steel spike help focus air where needed most. - Patents
- Trademark: Hedgehog, registered in US, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea.
Patents: 1 utility, 6 design patents. Registered in same markets. - Team Members
- Inventor and CEO: Bjorn Holte
Lead designer: Lachlan Dunn, LDDG
Lead engineer: Magne Bolstad, Bolstad Consulting
External designer: Vidar Pedersen, Sno Design - Image Credits
- In house production.
Sponsored
Explore Beyond Designers.org
Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.
More to Explore
Related Designs
Explore more award-winning designs from the same category, selected by merit.
