AARP, Essential and Peer Insight Win IDEA Gold Award for LifeTuner.org

BOSTON, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP has won a Gold International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) from the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) in the design strategy category for its work to develop LifeTuner.org, a new website dedicated to helping young adults take control of their financial futures.  AARP developed that strategy in collaboration with Essential (www.essential-design.com), a product and service innovation consultancy, and Peer Insight (www.peerinsight.com), a strategic innovation consultancy.

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"LifeTuner.org was created directly in response to the needs young people expressed so they can take control of their finances," said Diane Ty, Senior Vice President, AARP.  "We are thrilled that we were able to design such a dynamic site where young people can talk directly to experts and plan for some of the most financially important moments of their lives -- whether it is planning for a wedding, buying a car or learning about retirement plans."

The IDEA competition is the most prestigious international design competition annually celebrating the world's most exciting design innovations. The IDEA program identifies design works that shape the public's understanding of design excellence and its benefit to society.  A jury of 18 world-renowned designers and critics focused on five areas:  design innovation, benefit to the user, benefit to the client/business, ecological responsibility, and appropriate aesthetics and appeal.  Out of 1855 entries, 37 were awarded the coveted Gold award.

"We are honored to win a Gold," said Scott Stropkay, Partner at Essential.  "LifeTuner offers young Americans financial insights and resources in a socially networked, approachable and modern way; it is nice to be recognized for our design thinking and design strategy contributions to this very important AARP initiative."

"LifeTuner.org is a great resource for all consumers who are looking for a place to learn about how to manage finances throughout their lives.  That, in itself, is the crowning achievement and the reason why IDEA has recognized the design strategy and the team behind LifeTuner.org," said Jeneanne Rae, co-founder and president of Peer Insight.

About LifeTuner and AARP

LifeTuner is a nonprofit, expert-backed personal finance website dedicated to helping young adults take control of their financial lives.  The site brings together expert volunteers who answer user-submitted questions and offer tips with a community of peers who can share their experiences and learn from each other.  The site is published by AARP, a nonprofit organization that has witnessed firsthand the challenges for individuals and families who do not take the steps earlier in life to plan for their future financial security.  For more information, please visit www.lifetuner.org or www.aarp.org.

About Essential

Established in 2001, Essential is the design and innovation partner for leaders seeking to accelerate business success.  Essential is a focused team of industry-leading research, design and engineering professionals who think beyond design to translate strategy into breakthrough products and services.  The Boston consultancy's award-winning product designs have been recognized by the Industrial Designers Society of America, the Consumer Electronics Association, iF Product Design, RedDot Product Design, Spark Design, Good Design, Newsweek, Business Week, Fast Company, and I.D. magazine.  For more information, please visit www.essential-design.com.

About Peer Insight

Peer Insight is an innovation strategy consultancy with deep roots in service design, business model exploration, and organizational development.  The firm partners with visionary leaders to inspire and architect breakthrough innovation that matters.  Peer Insight is located just outside Washington DC in Alexandria, Virginia.  More information about the company and its leadership team can be found at www.peerinsight.com.

SOURCE Essential