For the fourth and final round of the Core77 and Braun Design in the Wild photo challenge, we saw a record number of entries, not least because we extended the entry period for an extra week. While some of our readers found unconventional ways to RELAX, many of you opted for quiet moments of solitude, both in the sublime glow of nature and in special spots in urban settings. Some of you took comfort in specific activities or objects, while others were a bit more abstract.
Our pick for the jury winner worked on many levels: besides the excellent composition and the metaphorical use of the locks, we also noticed that the bench is designed to bring people closer together.
JURY WINNER
Surrounded by Love
Kevin Smeeing, Netherlands
A Korean couple is enjoying their leisure time together, while being surrounded by thousands of padlocks at the N Seoul Tower, South Korea. The padlocks are not used for their original function, but symbolise the lovers’ promise that they will never separate. The 'Locks of Love' are a clear example of a products symbolic performance; they show the value of symbolism in the relation between product, owner and society.
POPULAR WINNER
I Put a Record On
Nick Hayes, New Zealand
We find ourselves busier than ever in the digital age, and although we may have the means to relax in our back pockets or our handbags, sometimes we find joy in the trails of the past. Playing a record on my old Sony player brings an inner calm - no longer a nomad, I sit back and relax to the sound and its purity.