Kikkerland Design Challenge - In Progress

  • Our Intent.

    Appalachian State University Industrial Design Product Program was honored to be selected to collaborate with Kikkerland for their 2020 Design Challenge Project. Kikkerland is “one of the top companies in the world offering unique, well designed products to inspire our customers and their needs.” The students of Professor Donald Corey’s IND 3711 Product Design Studio 2 class were challenged to design gift items that speak directly to the need for sustainability in the gift industry.

  • Our Process.

    To start the project, the students traveled to NYC and the NY NOW gift show. While attending the large fair in early February, students explored the Kikkerland Design Booth, various design shops around the city and discussed design trends and the project with the Kikkerland Design Team.

  • Our Projects.

    “I feel this challenge was a valuable exercise for the students as they had to weigh commercial opportunity and sustainability – one of the biggest issues we are facing in the world. I was proud of the solutions that the students developed as many chose to
    approach their solutions from a hidden or unobvious approach to sustainability, attempting to make a difference in a subtle way. That is not to discount that their solutions are trivial, instead they are filling in the many steps it takes to walk the mile that is sustainable living,” stated Professor Corey at the end of the project. “It was a wonderful experience working with Jan and Jay and the whole Kikkerland team, evaluating and directing the students. This project speaks to what a collaborative project needs to be, it provides students with the opportunity to work on a real problem, hand-in-hand with a professional partner, learning and understanding processes and needs associated in the real world. The true bonus is the global exposure and perspective that the students will receive for their work. It was a wonderful amazing experience.”

Donald Corey

Professor
Industrial Design

Jan van der Lande

Owner
Kikkerland Design

Jay Lee

Head Designer
Kikkerland Design

Abby Dunn

Student
Industrial Design

Alex Maganares

Student
Industrial Design

Alyse Larue

Student
Industrial Design

Aya Stefanovich

Student
Industrial Design

Bailee Taylor

Student
Industrial Design

Ben Cignarale

Student
Industrial Design

Edward Blackburn

Student
Industrial Design

Eric Palacios

Student
Industrial Design

James Otteson

Student
Industrial Design

John Thomasson

Student
Industrial Design

Kaitlin Sides

Student
Industrial Design

Patrick McDonald

Student
Industrial Design

Paul Miller

Student
Industrial Design

Victoria Dimarco

Student
Industrial Design