Good constraints lead to inspired design, and as Earth Day reminds us, our planet provides the ultimate constraints-it can only support so much resource consumption and waste emissions.

Right now, SolidWorks is inviting you to design a new chair that’s both aesthetically appealing and fully functional, while maintaining a small environmental footprint. To do this, you can either download the starter model – a rather plain-looking, industrial affair – and modify it, or design a completely new chair yourself.

To participate you will be asked to submit the following in order to satisfy the required criteria:
1.) A brief description of your design idea, and why it should win.
2.) Results from a SimulationXpress analysis.
3.) Results from a SustainabilityXpress assessment.
4.) Your SolidWorks Part file.

Prizes range from 4 nights in Belize, Apple iPads, Trip to SolidWorks World 2012 and more.

You may enter as many designs as you’d like within one category, determined by the edition of SolidWorks you are authorized to use (Education edition, Student edition, or Commercial edition).

The contest is open from now through midnight EST on June 30, 2011.

For more information, or to enter. Click here.