Montreal, Canada, 2013-11-25 -
Developed as a workshop for the Ideation course, this event is better known as “Projet HEC”, and routs from the second-year class of University of Montreal’s Industrial Design program. It’s objective is unlike any other: students are required to conceive, fabricate and sell a product in twelve editions, all industry-standard. With their price ranging form $10.00 to $35.00, each product improves a problem that we are faced with daily.
Although the project is challenging, the students always appreciate the experience, as the Projet HEC is stimulating and educational. A team of dynamic and insightful mentors, all design professionals, oversea the students’ progress. Jean-François Jacques, in charge of the workshop is assisted this year by four mentors: André Keilani, Annie Legroulx, Claude Mauffette et Michel Morelli.
“Such a demanding and brief assignment, is not as much a challenging design process, as it is an extreme test of creativity” states Mister Jacques. He also states that “students seem awfully motivated as they have the immediate reaction from their clients, as you would in real product sales, and most importantly, they receive a monetary compensation in exchange of their product, a unique concept which is the key to this workshop.”
Since the mentors each possess a rich professional background, their presence encourages students throughout the workshop, and helps them hatch an original concept, within the limited timeframe. Ideas constantly mingle and clash during feedback sessions, which are always as animated as constructive. Without providing a predetermined subject to work on, students enter an ideation phase which instantly awakens their curiosity and creativity. Although the challenge is having to quickly begin production, due to the short timeframe. Through this process, students learn to respect important limitations in terms of time, production methods, and cost of fabrication.
The last phase of the project consists of creating a brand identity, an important element which, when done properly, insures the sale of the product. In the last wave, all turn to the presentation and packaging of the product, as well as the conception of a stand from which they will transact, as the sale takes the form of a mini market.
Finally arrives the moment of truth, which only lasts one hour. Over 400 people waiting in line, jittery with excitement, awaiting noon, for the doors to the Salon L’Oréal of the HEC to open, in order to purchase the much sought-after products. This flash sale is important as it demonstrates whether or not the product is a commercial success. As always, the 2013 edition of the HEC Sale had a triumphant outcome.
Product names, descriptions and names of students creators.
HOOKED – Oversized coat hanger, fastened to the ceiling, for those without a closet.
Hétu, Andréanne
Roy Duarte, Stéphanie
Thibault, Élisabeth
D-CAP – A beer bottle opener which resembles a beer tap, though it is not.
Varennes, David
Almontes-Fovez, Stephane
Kastali, Nadejda
HOLZ – A flexible wooden pencil sleeve, using the Dukta process !
Kambire, Raphael
Julienne, Aldric
Nadeau Riekenbrauck, Sara
NUT SHELL – Protective sleeve for 13” Macbooks. Felt interior for added peace of mind.
Gagnon, Elizabeth
Gauthier-Girard, Francis
Soucy, Claude
HOLSTER – Des poches additionnelles sont toujours les bienvenues. / An additional pocket is always useful! Keep it close to your person.
Lafontaine, Anne-Marie
Leclerc-De Guire, Maude
Ilié, Thibault
FIXME – A new style of bag to transport a variety of objects, hands free thanks to your bicycle.
Bilodeau, Geneviève
Bourgault, Magalie
Hébert, Sarah-Eve
SCELLÉ – Keep your bike seat dry and comfortable after a rainfall.
Verret, Marjorie
St-Hilaire, Marie-Josée
Montplaisir, Mylène
CLUSEAU – Une lampe en béton Ductal® qui aime se faire basculer. / A topsy-turvy lamp made of Ductal concrete.
Vu-Truong, René
Gélinas, Alexandra
Vernier, Etienne
ROCK N RUN – Run away, and stay connected!
Chartier-Lefrançois, Marion
Amzil, Salma
Mallet Dubuc, Simon
GENTLE WASH – A trendy wash bag to attach to your wall, perfect for the student in you.
Hercun, Natalie
Lapierre, Marie-Philippe
Lauriault, Edouard
BEAVER CREEK – Drinking tea or coffee is always more fun from a Mason jar, say the youngsters. Here’s a solution for everyone.
Blais, Pierre-Olivier
Danis Marier, Francis
Turcotte, Julien