The winners of the red dot award, one of the largest and most renowned international design competitions, have been chosen. From the absolute record number of 2,548 submitted products, which had been sent to Essen for assessment by the experts, a total of 43 top products have received the 'red dot: best of the best' for their outstanding and innovative design. They come from Brazil, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea and the United States. The festive awards presentation in front of more than 1,000 guests will take place on 25 June 2007 in the Essen Opera House, the Aalto Theatre.
"The number of submitted products as well as their quality standards have been outstanding this year" - with these words Prof. Dr. Peter Zec, initiator of the red dot design award and president of the international design association Icsid, described this year's competition. "It has been particularly noticeable that China and Taiwan are becoming stronger every year. They are no longer satisfied with the role of an extended workbench of the western industrial nations, but have begun to create excellent design themselves." This design boom was particularly noticeable in the product categories 'Media and home electronics' and 'Computers and accessories', which were clearly dominated by the Asian manufacturers. "The increase in quality by original design concepts from Asian manufacturers proves the growing strategic importance of design as a competition factor in the age of globalisation; design can be characterised as the central driving force behind innovations in the industry," explained the design expert and professor of business communication.
Receiving an award in an internationally renowned design competition such as the red dot is therefore an important indicator whether a product has the potential to survive internationally.
Results of the Competition
The current figures of the red dot award: product design 2007 reflect the growing significance of high-quality design. After 2,068 entries in 2006, the competition registered the record number of 2,548 entries from a total of 43 countries this year. And the design promotion of the competition, which every year elevates current products from the masses based on criteria of design and function, is taking effect: the design quality of the products has increased strongly in all areas; design is an important selling factor. In the face of this overall increase in design quality the international jury was able to award the 'red dot' quality seal for good design 623 times. 43 products were awarded a red dot: best of the best, the highest distinction of the competition, for their pioneering design and special innovations.
Honorary Gala: the Awards Presentation on 25 June 2007, 6:00pm
The award-winners will be honoured at the traditional award ceremony in the special atmosphere of the Essen Aalto Theatre. Like every year, many prominent figures of design will meet with personalities from politics, sports, media, and entertainment to honour the best of industrial design in a cultural event this year. At the following Designers' Night in the red dot design museum awardwinners and guests can celebrate together into the early hours.
The Special Exhibition in the Red Dot Design Museum
The award-winning products will be presented in the special exhibition 'Design on stage - winners red dot award: product design 2007' in the Essen red dot design museum on the premises of the world cultural heritage site 'Zeche Zollverein' from 26 June to 23 July 2007. With its more than 1,000 products on more than 4,000 square metres, the red dot design museum houses the largest permanent exhibition of contemporary design.
The Red Dot Design Award
With more than 6,000 entries in its disciplines red dot award: product design, red dot award: communication design and red dot award: design concepts, the red dot award is one of the leading and largest design competitions internationally. Since 1955, the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen has annually selected outstanding design and honoured it in an exhibition.
download: winner list red dot award product design 2007.xls (592k)
Trend Spots of the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2007
Household and Kitchen - Means of Expression of the Modern Way of Life
The high quality standards of contemporary design become apparent particularly in the field of household and kitchen. Luxury is still a central theme in the design of modern kitchens. Designers use a very demanding target group for reference: high-quality materials, clear forms and technical finesse meet perfectly thought-out functionality which is not only to make easier but also to enrich everyday life. Despite the devices' technical complexity, the design is clearly focussing on ease of use. The designers attempt to prevent any problems that may occur in everyday cooking. The self-cleaning oven and the antibacterial fridge have almost become part of the standard equipment for every kitchen, and there will not be any problems with fingerprints on cupboard doors in future - since the doors will open and close almost by themselves following light pressure. Internet access becomes a standard feature of the modern kitchen; in the future the question "What will I cook today?" will be answered by a simple click on the display in the fridge door. The kitchen of the future becomes a means of expression of the individual way of life and a meeting point for families and friends where almost the complete everyday life can be organised.
Automobile and Traffic - the Vehicle as a Luxury Good
At first glance style and looks are the obvious components in modern automobile design. The complete automobile world is more glamorous and luxurious than ever before; the launch of a new vehicle becomes a media event, the vehicle itself a luxury good.
Even small cars are standardly equipped with automatic windows and airconditioning; the coach becomes a high-tech vehicle. The vehicles' almost complete technisation is also reflected in the interior, which increases ease and practicality of use thanks to its futuristic, ergonomically optimised design. The comprehensive on-board computers are so detailed that driving itself appears to become a secondary matter. The language of forms of the different makes is highly developed; the consistently sportive and self-confident design stands for personality and conveys the individual company philosophy.
Computer, Media and Home Electronics - Cool Design for Any Taste
Computer, media and home electronics are the industries in which technological progress becomes most discernible. High-quality innovations set standards for the future and all manufacturers follow the same design code. A cool, upmarket appearance is to the fore; the design is characterised by black, high-gloss surfaces and flat screens. The designers take into account the needs and wishes of the consumers. The design of computers and notebooks is clearly characterised by demand. Notebooks are available for different situations and target groups, ranging from the small, lightweight and functional device for the mobile businessman to the laptop matching current jewellery collections for the fashion-conscious, luxury-oriented woman of today. Mobile phones are named after fashion labels and the value of surfaces is increased by the use of crystals.
Bathrooms and Sanitary Facilities - the Bathroom as a Place of Sensual Experience
The language of forms is particularly important for designers in the field of bathrooms and sanitary facilities. The aesthetisation of individual elements in the design of modern bathroom and sanitary facilities is as important as clear statements. Sculptural shapes are combined with functional design; innovative ideas allow new interpretations of the bathroom. The bathroom becomes an integrative place in the home which conveys cosiness thanks to homely elements and natural materials. The bathroom becomes a place of sensual experience - wellness and luxury are among the main criteria for designers in the field of bathroom and sanitary facility design.
Living and Sleeping - Emotions as the Core Factor
Overall, design stands on the threshold to something new in the field of living rooms and bedrooms; today's design structures already point towards future developments in design. The designs show that the standard of modern living is currently particularly high. In general, current living room design is characterised by elegance and the use of high-quality materials manufactured with high-grade workmanship. Pieces of furniture become decorative objects; the wood burning stove has overcome its stationary look and can be used anywhere. As an all-in-one product, the sofa becomes a place of experience; the designs encourage interaction. In line with the trend are integrated LED lights which turn any piece of furniture into a small work of art. Emotions are the core statement of modern furniture design.
Fashion, Jewellery, Luxury Articles - Pioneering Design for a Sophisticated Target Group
Design, which pointedly increases our quality of life, could this year also be found in the field of fashion, jewellery and luxury articles. Increasing globalisation becomes apparent in the international standards of the submitted products; for example, a wristwatch displays all the time zones of the earth - at a glance the mobile businessman can see what time it is in Hong Kong, Chicago, or at home in Santiago. Realising innovative ideas in original and sophisticated ways is the task of good design. In this process luxury becomes an added value, which is reflected in the consistently elegant, high-quality and timeless design. Motivated by a sophisticated international target group, the designers experiment with high-grade materials and pioneering forms, which are combined with central aspects such as functionality and user-friendliness.
Industry and Trade - Intelligent Design Solutions for "Happy Tools"
Innovative developments in a very traditional area can be found in the sector of industry and trade. With intelligent design solutions the teaching and selfexplanatory aspect of design takes effect. The designers provide logical interpretations of proven forms, thus reflecting the spirit of the times. The design, which follows international standards, has an increased utility value; it is very detailed and of high quality. Work offers additional pleasure thanks to new colours. The previous trend of plain utility objects is in decline; tools and machines emancipate themselves in the market with clear designs in fresh colours.
Red Dot Award: https://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/3454