Six innovative student-designed products that enhance convenience, sustainability and independence in the home earned top honors in the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) Excellence in Student Design competition, sponsored by the International Housewares Association (IHA).
The 32nd annual edition celebrates forward-thinking solutions for the home and recognizes the next generation of student designers from around the world, said IHA.
The six winning industrial design students will showcase their projects at The Inspired Home Show 2025 held March 2-4 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The show will provide a unique opportunity for students to pitch their products and network with top leadership in the home and housewares industry.
This year, students tackled challenges ranging from food preparation and senior care to sustainable cleaning and pet companionship:
First Place Winner
David Griffin, Junior, Western Washington University – Helios
Griffin’s Helios (pictured above) is an inflatable heating module that allows users to prepare and keep meals warm while on the go, preserving food quality and taste. The innovative system provides a portable and efficient solution for travelers, campers and busy professionals seeking hot meals without traditional kitchen appliances like microwaves.
Griffin was awarded the Grand Prize of $3,500.
Second Place Winners
Two students tied for second place, each receiving a $2,500 award:
- David Minogue, Sophomore, University of Notre Dame – PullPal
PullPal is a dog whistle and training tool designed for senior citizens that helps older adults maintain strong bonds with their pets. Judges recognized its potential to enhance companionship, encourage activity and improve senior well-being. - Delna Balsara, Senior, University of Notre Dame – Clean
Clean is a storage and disposal solution for seniors managing incontinence care. By organizing clean and soiled products separately, it simplifies the changing, cleaning and disposal process, promoting independence and dignity.
PullPal
Clean
Third Place Winners
Three students earned third-place honors, each receiving a $1,200 award:
- Alex Marovec, Senior, Western Michigan University – Nimbus Electric Mop
The Nimbus Electric Mop is a smart cleaning device that picks up spills and deposits waste directly into the sink, offering a hands-free, mess-free cleaning experience. - Peter Carlsson, Kyle Hampton and Amber Mies, Juniors, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Pail
Pail is a compact lunchbox designed to fit seamlessly into the bottle sleeve of a backpack, making it an ultra-portable meal storage solution for students and professionals alike. - Clara Rozmaryn, Junior, University of Kansas – Tilt
Tilt is a sustainable cleaning system that empowers users to make their own non-toxic cleaning solutions at home. It features long-lasting glass bottles, recycled plastic components and eco-friendly formulas, aligning with the growing demand for waste-free, chemical-free home products.
Nimbus Electric Mop
Pail
Tilt
Honorable Mentions
Six products earned honorable mentions, with their designers receiving a $250 award:
- Connor Burkett, Junior, Western Michigan University – Ignite Weed Burner – A chemical-free, low-labor weed burner for safer and easier yard maintenance.
- Mia Nakano, Junior, University of Washington – Harbor – A versatile fishing kit that combines a cutting board, cooler and storage with essential tools for catching, filleting and transporting fish.
- Elizabeth Skinner, Junior, Western Michigan University – Gleam – A rechargeable, all-in-one handheld steam cleaner designed to maintain a healthier kitchen.
- Jin Lee, Sophomore, College for Creative Studies – PURIVAC – A compact and efficient desk vacuum for workspace cleanliness.
- Anna Blessinger, Senior, Purdue University – Elio – An adaptive lantern designed for small spaces.
- Ada Carter, Sophomore, University of Illinois Chicago – Tula – A tulip-shaped chair that rotates inward to encourage young children to enjoy reading.
About the Competition & The Inspired Home Show
The gia Excellence in Student Design competition invites college students to either redesign an existing housewares product to meet evolving consumer needs or create a concept for a new product. Winning projects are evaluated based on their innovation, production feasibility, marketability and overall quality.
Since its inception in 1993, the competition has received more than 7,200 submissions, launching countless design careers and fostering the next generation of innovators. This year’s winners were chosen by an esteemed panel of 18 industry designers and professors, including three past gia winners who have gone on to successful industrial design careers.
