[Weekly SME] Lock&Lock·Theinus·Project Sleep

Global household goods specialist Lock&Lock is holding its first design contest.
[Photo by Lock&Lock]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Global household goods company Lock&Lock Co., Ltd. is hosting the 1st Design Contest under the theme "Designing Life." The bathroom interior package "Healing Therapy" by bathroom specialist company The Inus was selected as an excellent product design in the "2021 Good Design Award Product Selection Contest."

As the number of patients suffering from insomnia during the transitional seasons gradually increases, sleep specialist brand Project Sleep advised switching to a heavier type of blanket if insomnia becomes severe.

Lock&Lock Hosts 1st Design Contest 'Designing Life'

Global household goods company Lock&Lock Co., Ltd. is hosting the 1st Design Contest under the theme "Designing Life." Anyone interested in lifestyle design, including students and the general public, can participate by submitting entries on the contest site "The Contest" by the 30th.

The contest is divided into two categories: "Product Design" and "Visual Design." The product design category invites innovative designs for small home appliances that create delicious meals and enjoyable living, reflecting the latest lifestyles such as single-person households and home cooking, or adding convenience. Renewal ideas for existing Lock&Lock products are also welcome.

The visual design category aims to express Lock&Lock's value as a sustainable brand. Entries can include posters, characters, packaging, videos, etc., that embody a human-centered or eco-friendly brand identity.

Submissions will be judged based on four criteria: creativity and fun with future-oriented ideas, completeness of the work, understanding of Lock&Lock products and brand, and feasibility for practical use. One grand prize winner will receive 7 million KRW, and gold and silver prize winners in each category will receive 3 million KRW and 1 million KRW respectively, totaling 15 million KRW in prize money.

Two special awards for designs created with Autodesk Fusion 360 will be given iPads, and all winners will receive preferential treatment in document screening or internship opportunities when applying for a job at Lock&Lock. Winners will be individually notified on October 11 and can also be confirmed on the Lock&Lock website.

Jung Tae-rak, Executive Director of Lock&Lock Design Center, said, "Based on the brand value of 'human-centered lifestyle innovation,' Lock&Lock focuses on product designs that bring benefits to consumers' daily lives while considering the environment. We ask for the interest and participation of creators with abundant capabilities to widely promote Lock&Lock design as a leading lifestyle innovation brand."

'The Inus Healing Therapy', selected as an excellent product design in the '2021 Good Design Award Product Selection Contest'.
Photo by The Inus

The Inus' 'Healing Therapy' Bathroom Interior Package Selected as 'Excellent Design' in Good Design Award

The bathroom interior package "Healing Therapy" by bathroom specialist company The Inus was selected as an excellent product design in the "2021 Good Design Award Product Selection Contest."

The Good Design Award, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and organized by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion since 1985, is the most prestigious design award in Korea. Under the Industrial Design Promotion Act, it comprehensively evaluates products based on appearance, function, materials, economy, originality, and environmental friendliness, awarding the "Good Design (GD)" certification mark to outstanding designs.

The Inus Curation Healing Therapy was selected as a 2021 Excellent Design (GD) product in the spatial design category after rigorous first and second-stage evaluations amid high competition. Notably, it was recognized for applying three types of tiles certified for therapeutic effects by the Korea Color Therapy Association, offering interior concepts tailored to consumers' situations and preferences.

The Inus Curation Healing Therapy is a product that creates a bathroom space designed for relaxation and energy restoration. It is available in two designs: Sage Green type and Orange Terracotta type.

A representative from The Inus said, "Winning the Good Design Award reflects The Inus' design sensibility and brand philosophy of transforming bathrooms from mere hygiene spaces into places for rest and recharging. We will continue to set new standards for bathrooms and introduce products that suit customers' lifestyles and tastes."

Project Sleep autumn blanket 'Honey Sleep Blanket'.
[Photo by Project Sleep]

"Use a Heavy Blanket for Insomnia"... Project Sleep Offers Sleep Tips

As daylight hours decrease in autumn, the secretion of serotonin, known as the happiness hormone, also declines. This leads to an increase in people complaining of insomnia during autumn. According to the National Health Insurance Service's public interest disease statistics, 658,675 people visited hospitals for insomnia last year, a 21% increase compared to 542,939 in 2016.

Especially in autumn, the number of insomnia patients rises. Sleep specialist brand Project Sleep advises switching to a heavier type of blanket during transitional seasons if insomnia is severe. A study conducted by a research team at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, involving 120 adults diagnosed with insomnia, found that 42.2% of patients using heavy blankets showed improvement.

Weighted blankets provide appropriate pressure that holds the body, preventing disturbances in sleep caused by tossing and turning. Also, the reduced space between the body curves and the blanket allows close contact with the skin, helping the body maintain an appropriate temperature for sound sleep.

Project Sleep's "Honey Sleep Blanket" is made with nine layers designed ergonomically. It includes a microfiber layer that provides a soft and warm touch, a cotton layer with excellent moisture absorption, an antibacterial layer that prevents mite habitation, a padding layer that reduces noise, and a sleep bead layer that enhances weight. It offers adequate weight while being less bulky than typical winter blankets, making storage easier and compatible with existing duvet covers for convenience. It has also passed tests for the absence of harmful substances such as formaldehyde and arylamine.

A Project Sleep representative said, "Since autumn is a season prone to insomnia, it is necessary to check your sleep environment. If you find yourself tossing and turning or suffering from insomnia more frequently in autumn, consider using a heavier blanket."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.