An innovative folding electric plug, designed by a London student has won a prestigious design award.
Min-Kyu Choi reinterpreted the UK standard 3 pin plug - whose bulky shape frustrates the owners of the latest light-weight gadgets.
Innovative: The plug is designed to fold down for storage, left, but can be opened up again quickly when needed
Min-Kyu Choi with his innovative Folding Plug
His fold-flat design beat more than 90 international nominees who were shortlisted in seven categories, including the late fashion guru Alexander McQueen.
Mr Choi, 30, decided to create the device after he struggled to pack the traditional plug with his new MacBook Air - which is the world's thinnest laptop.
He said: 'When people carry laptops with the UK plugs in a bag, it always causes problems such as tearing paper or scratching laptop surfaces.'
When folded his plug is only 0.4" thick, compared to the 4.6" standard model.
'I've tried to make it much thinner and safer,' Mr Choi said.
The young designer is planning to launch a product range this year built around his design. He is also working on a folding suitcase that will save space when not in use.
The winners of the categories went forward to the final judging stage and Choi was presented with his title by judging panel chairman Antony Gormley at a gala dinner held at the Design Museum in London.
Panellists included designer Tom Dixon, editor of Wired magazine David Rowan and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter.
Mr Gormley said: 'Thought-through, responsive and modest, the folding plug shows how intelligent, elegant and inventive design can make a difference to everyone's life.'
Mr Choi drew praise when he showcased the plug at the Royal College of Art's graduate show in 2009.
How the folding plug looks in action. The designer will launch the device this year
Deyan Sudjic, director of the Design Museum, said: 'It's great to see such a practical but elegant demonstration of what design can do to make everyday life so much better.
'Min-Kyu Choi is a designer just setting out on his career and he clearly has a great future ahead of him.'
Shortlisted designs are on show at the Design Museum until October 31.
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