2012 Galleries

The Spark Gallery pages are one of our most popular design destinations, with thousands of visitors each year. Check out some of the latest Spark entries, in the galleries below.

Verb

Winner - Gold

Competition: Spark:Product
Designer: Steelcase Design
Design Type: Industrial and consumer tools and equipment

Employing a unique, human-centered design research process, Steelcase has studied changes in education for years. Today’s classroom is changing; schools are using more collaborative teaching methods and fewer lecture-style modes in order to increase student success and learning. As a result, Steelcase is responding to the need for mobile, flexible, comfortable, durable and sustainable learning environments with unique and innovative classroom solutions. Steelcase Education Solutions launched a first-of-its-kind table-based collection of classroom furniture, Verb, to keep students and instructors collaborating and engaged. Verb gives students permission to share, build ideas and quickly transition among learning modes. At the same time, teachers can instruct from different positions in the room and seamlessly transition from lecture, group discussion and test mode. With a more flexible classroom, students can be more engaged with the content and with each other – giving them an even greater chance of success. Verb creates an integrated, table-based learning space with personal-sized, one-of-a-kind whiteboards throughout the classroom for instantaneous collaboration. The easy-to-access whiteboards provide a note-taking surface for students during group projects. They address an unspoken need: instead of huddling around a piece of paper, students write on what becomes an instant display board when sharing in front of their classmates. In addition, the whiteboards serve as space dividers during test time to ensure privacy. The whiteboards are made of e3™ ceramicsteel, a material that’s ultra-smooth, prevents ghosting and is virtually indestructible. All components of the Verb collection come standard with casters, encouraging engagement and collaboration while easily accommodating a variety of teaching and learning styles. In addition, unique chevron table shapes dramatically improve sightlines and help define personal work area regardless of classroom layout. Sharing a design language and materials palette with the Steelcase Node chair, Verb’s clean lines and unique design elements provide a modern take on the traditional classroom. With a variety of finish options and the ability to customize paint color, it’s easy to make Verb your own. Plus, every Verb component was rigorously tested and designed with high performance materials, like e3 ceramicsteel, for a lifetime of use in a demanding environment. The three other components of Verb include: • Instructor station. This unit provides easy access to storage and an adjustable lectern, which rotates 360-degrees in two directions to accommodate standing and perching postures during instruction. A work zone and collaborative zone support other instruction needs. Casters allow instructors to quickly, easily and orderly adjust to different learning modes during class time. o Desk and integrated lectern support teaching in any posture whether standing, perched or seated o Lectern with an 8° slant and generous ledge holds notes, laptop and other materials o Arm and lectern each rotate 360° for ultimate flexibility and enhanced sightlines o Optional integrated caddy provides easy storage and access to materials o Standard with casters to accommodate a variety of pedagogies within the classroom o Legs minimize interference with students pulling up to the end of the table • Student tables. Unique chevron shaped tables enhance sightlines, so students can see each other, the instructor and presenters, in every mode. Collaborative tools are supported right at the table, while transitions among learning modes are easy with standard casters. o Chevron shaped table improves sight lines, encourages collaboration and helps define personal work area—even in lecture mode o The team table is designed for group work that requires interaction and collaboration, while maintaining personal work space o Side hooks hold whiteboards and backpacks, while the side dock becomes a platform for group collaboration o A center dock holds personal items, markers or other classroom supplies and turns whiteboards into privacy screens for test-taking o Leg shape allows students to pull up to the end of the table for collaboration without interference o Standard casters and light weight allows tables to easily shift between lecture, discussion and project work • Board display. The easel allows for effective display, storage and presentation of the whiteboards, wherever collaboration might occur in the classroom. A durable wall track and hooks provide even more options for presentations. o Easel ? Two tiers for optimal creation of content and display of whiteboards at standing or seated height ? Standard with fully-rotating casters and integrated handles for increased mobility ? Shelf tracks store boards two deep and keep boards in place while easel is moved ? Dry erase whiteboard surfaces on shelves ? Top and bottom rails store ancillary items such as markers, erasers and SOTO work tools (such as tool and utility boxes) ? Available in two sizes holding up to 16 or 24 boards at one time o Wall track and hooks ? Each wall hook holds two whiteboards and slides along the track for flexible display and presentation ? Wall track is highly durable and has the ability to hold multiple boards at one time ? Installs above a whiteboard or directly into wall materials around the classroom ? Works with map rail accessories ? Available in six or eight foot lengths As with everything you’ve come to expect from Steelcase, Verb is designed with sustainability in mind. The collection is currently undergoing a lifecycle assessment and seeking BIFMA Level 2 certification.