The competition is open to industrial design students and recent graduates This year the candidates were asked to design home appliances that were practical both to carry around and to use both at home and while travelling. Entries should also meet Scandinavian design values by being environmentally friendly, intuitive to use and aesthetically pleasing. The competition attracted 1,300 entries from over 50 countries.

Adrian Mancovecký of the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Bratislava in Slovakia devised the spot cleaner, which was named the winner at the final, held in London on September.

The spot cleaner is powered by a sugar crystal battery and can be used practically anywhere in the world. It has two components, which are placed either side of the garment. The user then selects a suitable cleaning program. Negative ions and steam refresh clothing and remove stains.