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Open Design

"Open Design Contest endeavors to challenge your designing skills to come up with new products /ideas and stimulates your creative ability in coming up with improvements for existing products. Anything that might enhance the quality of life qualifies a genuine entry for this competition. So, let your ideas see the daylight and overawe others with your innovatory might."


A model/prototype of the product or a product design supplemented with audio/video demonstrations using design software will be essential for the competition.


1. Problem Statement

  1. A functional or ergonomic new product/product design.
  2. Upgradation of an existing product that improves the quality of routine life.
  3. Safety devices.
  4. A new or radically improved process or system design.

Prizes worth INR 12,000 to be won.


View the Competition Details »


Registration for Open Design has started. Click here to register.


To view the discussions on this competition, Click here


For further queries contact:


Anish Garg

Manager, Techtronics
Techfest 2009
+91 98337 89055
anishgarg[at]techfest[dot]org

Shobhit Gupta

Manager, Techtronics
Techfest 2009
+91 98336 45180
shobhit[at]techfest[dot]org

2.1 Judging Criteria

  1. Innovation
  2. Cost Effectiveness
  3. Marketablity
  4. Manufacturablity
  5. Design Effectiveness

2.2 Abstract Submission

  1. Participants should mail their abstracts with the registration number as the subject and preferably in '.doc' or '.pdf' format.
  2. An exhibition of the entries of Open Design Contest may be held during Techfest 2009. Participants are also required to mention at the beginning of their abstracts if their idea has a prototype / model. A brief idea of how the design could be presented (exhibited) during the exhibition should also be included in the abstracts.
  3. The abstract should be concise and to the point and should not exceed three A4 sheets of text typed with Times New Roman font of size 12 excluding the first sheet containing the title and the last containing the references (if any).
  4. The first sheet should only contain title of the project, team registration number, names of the team members and their respective institutes.
  5. The abstract may be supported by a maximum of five descriptive figures/graphs. Photographs are particularly welcome. Diagrams should be on additional sheets, which should not exceed five (photographic and graphic representation of the project is encouraged).
  6. The last sheet, following the abstract, should have a list of references - websites, research papers, books, etc which amply support the ideas or solutions implemented/proposed.
  7. The information in the abstract should be very descriptive and not vague. It is recommended that vital aspects of the project that require special focus be mentioned as points.

View the Rules »


3.1 General Rules

  1. For screening purposes, a pre-event abstract, in a standard format, has to be submitted. It is very important that abstract should be mailed to opendesign@techfest.org with the subject 'Open Design abstract Reg. No.______ '. Do not forget to mention the registration number.
  2. The last date for submission of abstracts is 20th December, 2008 and any registered entry that fails to submit an abstract by this date will be disqualified from the event.
  3. Short listed teams will be informed by mail before 5th January, 2009. A list of short listed teams will also be displayed on the Techfest website.
  4. Only the participants who qualify in the screening round based on judging of the abstracts shall be invited to IIT Bombay for the finals.
  5. Qualifying participants will have to make a presentation before a panel of judges explaining the salient points of their idea/innovation.
  6. Teams will be given only one hour prior to the competition to set up their model/design at the venue for judging.
  7. A detailed report in support of the design and highlighting the important aspects should also be brought. The report will be considered for judging.
  8. Participants should submit their hardware, software and other requirements (if required) needed at the time of competition along with the abstract for the screening round.
  9. Selected entries will be displayed in an exhibition at Techfest 2009.
  10. The organizers reserve all rights to change any or all of the above rules as they deem fit. All changes will be highlighted on the website and registered participants shall be informed by email.
  11. The decision of the judges and the organizers will be final and binding.

Note: A model / prototype of the product or a product design supplemented with audio/video demonstrations using design software will be essential for the competition.


3.2 Resources

Techfest would provide computers if and only if required. Participants are required to bring stuff like adapters, batteries, extension cords etc by themselves. Also, they must carry their CPU with the required software installed for design demonstrations (if required) as compatibility problems may arise at the last moment. Other necessary things like monitor, keyboard, mouse etc would be provided. All the participants should communicate these requirements along with the abstracts for the screening round.


3.3 Team Specification

A team should consist of maximum of 2 members. Students from different educational institutes can form a team.


3.4 Eligibility

All students with a valid identity card of their respective educational institutes are eligible to participate in Open Design Contest at Techfest 2009.


3.5 Certificate Policy

  1. Certificate of Excellence will be given to all winners.
  2. Certificates of Participation will be given to all teams that are selected after the abstract submission and are present during Techfest 2009.

3.6 Registration

Registration for Open Design has started. Click here to register.