Designs are reviewed and judged by an international panel of design experts. Ideas must be submitted as three dimensional models, two-dimensional concepts, and sketches and drawings. Submissions will be judged on the following criteria: relevance to the theme, concept originality, design value and originality, development potential, and design displayability.

The contest is open to designers around the world. Michelin Designers who work for OEM design studios, independent design studios, individual designers, academic transportation design students and teams, and automotive suppliers are eligible to submit ideas for the 2011 challenge. However, Michelin employees and relatives of Michelin employees are barred from entering the contest. This includes employees of affiliates and subsidiary companies, and even tire dealers who sell Michelin tires.

Judging will take place in late 2010, with finalists being notified then. Those who show enough innovative thinking and design ingenuity will have their designs showcased at the 2011 North American International Auto Show next January in Detroit.

At this year’s Detroit Auto Show, the Michelin Design showcase showed off ideas from students and designers from China, Korea and Russia, as well as the US and Portugal. Car manufacturers Ford and Nissan also had new ideas displayed in the showcase, the T-40 and Mixim EV, respectively. This shows just how much attention is paid to the Design Challenge. It featured some very out-of-left-field ideas, including several three-wheeled electric vehicles and even a driveable sphere.

Details on the challenge including entry forms, submissions dates and rules are available at www.michelinchallengedesign.com.