“Bloggers’ Choice Awards” were presented this week to six products representing the most “urgent, odd and delightful design” at Accent on Design at the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF). Bloggers from noted design and trend-watching sites each selected one product from thousands shown by 200+ designers exhibiting at the winter 2012 gift, home and lifestyle marketplace.

“These bloggers are documenting the daily evolution of product design,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “They have unique, experienced perspectives with which to identify superlative products within Accent on Design.”

Six products were identified by eight participating bloggers as the “next big thing:”

Baggu laptop cases by Baggu (Brooklyn, NY). “It’s highly functional, affordable and comes in a variety of beautiful, bright colored canvases. The logo is subtle and the design, simple – just a rectangle and a half circle. They add a classic, preppy aesthetic to a high tech device,” remarked Hollister Hovey, HollisterHovey.blogspot.com.

Belle Helmets by Model Citizens NYC (Jersey City, NJ). “Danielle Baskin created her line of original hand-painted helmets as a way to express her personality and creativity. We all know that helmets are a safety requirement, but with Danielle’s new line, they no longer have to be strictly utilitarian. The first painted helmet she created drew so many comments and compliments, she joined Model Citizens NYC, and is debuting her collection at NYIGF. We love that they're beautiful, expressive and fully functional safety helmets for riding and skateboarding,” commented Kate Reynolds McLeod, DailyGrommet.com.

BANG! by bitplay, inc. (Taipei City, Taiwan). “I saw a lot of playful designs and products that reminded me of my childhood. In particular, I loved BANG! by first-time NYIGF exhibitor bitplay. This toy gun combines fun and function. By pulling the trigger, a desk lamp illuminates. Shoot the light again and it turns off,” said Danielle De Vita, Design-Calendar.com.

“BANG! is an unexpected take on a table lamp with a gun you point and shoot at the lamp to turn it on and off. This whimsical interactive feature is part conversation piece, part gas. As you shoot the lamp, the shade tips back to let you know you’ve hit your mark. It takes a functional, essential object and injects playful humor into it. Its minimalist design has a pop art sensibility and would look right at home in an art collector’s contemporary setting,” added Marisa Marcantonio, stylebeat.blogspot.com.

Chick-a-Dee smoke detector by neo-utility (Brooklyn, NY). “It’s a surprisingly clever and innovative take on a very utilitarian – and important – object that has never seen the love of good visual / industrial design,” according to Evan Orensten, Coolhunting.com.

“The traditional smoke detector gets a cheap and cheerful avian makeover with the Chick-a-Dee – a plastic bird perched on a branch and ready to emit an 85-decibel-alarm at the first sign of smoke. Designed by a Dutch firm with an eye to residential interiors, the Chick-a-Dee is available in several colors, and NYIGF marks its U.S. market debut,” added Stephanie Murg, UnBeige.com.

Helen Lamp by Gambrel Workshop (Seattle, WA). “It’s hard to find new design that is both functional and delightful. This has both and I am pleased to discover a new designer,” said Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, ApartmentTherapy.com.

School Joke Chair by Alessandro Zambetti for Seletti North America Inc. (Brooklyn, NY). “In the modern home versatility is key, especially when it comes to seating. The School Joke Chair by Alessandro Zambetti for Seletti addresses that issue without forgoing style and good design. It’s simple to assemble without tools, is lightweight yet sturdy, and all the chair parts come off for easy storage. Another plus is the eco-friendly, recyclable packaging!” Dickson Wong, HuffingtonPost.com.

The summer market takes place Saturday, August 18, through Thursday, August 23, 2012 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.