History
The Chick-a-Dee ® smoke detector is the result of the design contest sponsored by the Dutch Association of Insurers (Verbond van Verzekeraars) in the Netherlands.
In the autumn of 2006, a nationwide campaign was launched in the media to raise public awareness of fire hazards in and around the home. The renowned Marketing and PR
Agency Winkelman en van Hessen Winkelman en van Hessen (www.winkelmanenvanhessen.nl) in The Hague was contracted to organize this campaign.
All Industrial Design faculties of the Dutch Universities and private institutions, like the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, participated in this contest. 50 designs were submitted, among which were fire prevention tools, fire-extinguishing blankets and smoke detectors. From these, the Chick-a-Dee ® smoke detector was selected as the winning entry because of its: 1) unique design 2) innovation and 3) social relevance.
The national jury comprised its chairman, Mr Ed Annink, who is the founder and creative director of Ontwerpwerk multidisciplinary design, a renowned pan-European Design Agency in The Hague (www.ontwerpwerk.nl), and representatives of the Delft University of Technology, the Verbond van Verzekeraars, Sire, (a national foundation focussing on social issues of national importance like home safety and childcare), Consument & Veiligheid, (a national foundation for the protection of consumer interests), and the producer.
Since 9 May 2007, Ms Louise van de Veld, the winning designer and student at the Rietveld Academy, has drawn worldwide attention from the international press, lifestyle and design magazines, magazines for the insurance industry and the Internet. The innovative design of a smoke detector in the shape of a bird has created a new market.
On 1 July 2008, new regulations (NEN- EN 14604) for smoke detectors came into force for the whole of the European Union. Home safety has been recognized as key to the quality of life. Through its design, the Chick-a- Dee ® smoke detector appeals to this feeling of safety and comfort, while its functionality serves to protect lives. The combination of design and functionality makes the Chick-a-Dee ® a highly attractive product.
Agency Winkelman en van Hessen Winkelman en van Hessen (www.winkelmanenvanhessen.nl) in The Hague was contracted to organize this campaign.
All Industrial Design faculties of the Dutch Universities and private institutions, like the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, participated in this contest. 50 designs were submitted, among which were fire prevention tools, fire-extinguishing blankets and smoke detectors. From these, the Chick-a-Dee ® smoke detector was selected as the winning entry because of its: 1) unique design 2) innovation and 3) social relevance.
The national jury comprised its chairman, Mr Ed Annink, who is the founder and creative director of Ontwerpwerk multidisciplinary design, a renowned pan-European Design Agency in The Hague (www.ontwerpwerk.nl), and representatives of the Delft University of Technology, the Verbond van Verzekeraars, Sire, (a national foundation focussing on social issues of national importance like home safety and childcare), Consument & Veiligheid, (a national foundation for the protection of consumer interests), and the producer.
Since 9 May 2007, Ms Louise van de Veld, the winning designer and student at the Rietveld Academy, has drawn worldwide attention from the international press, lifestyle and design magazines, magazines for the insurance industry and the Internet. The innovative design of a smoke detector in the shape of a bird has created a new market.
On 1 July 2008, new regulations (NEN- EN 14604) for smoke detectors came into force for the whole of the European Union. Home safety has been recognized as key to the quality of life. Through its design, the Chick-a- Dee ® smoke detector appeals to this feeling of safety and comfort, while its functionality serves to protect lives. The combination of design and functionality makes the Chick-a-Dee ® a highly attractive product.