Interior Design Blog

Choi's Folding Plug reinvents the standard UK electrical plug whose design has remained largely unchanged since its introduction in 1974. Infuriated by having to carry around bulky UK plugs thicker than his laptop, Choi developed a system that folds down to a width of just 10mm.

This innovative idea - an early favourite with judges and commentators - beat some more attention-grabbing entries selected from architecture, fashion, furniture, graphics, interactive design and product design to win the overall prize, which was presented to Choi by jury chair Anthony Gormley at the Design Museum in London.

Desctibing the Folding Plug as 'Thought-through, responsive and modest', Gormley said, 'the folding plug shows how intelligent, elegant and inventive design can make a difference to everyone's life'.

It may not have been the most glamorous or ethically-minded design in the competition, but Choi's plug represents a triumph of ergonomic function: it reminds us that the best design simply makes life easier.