Baden-Württemberg International Design Award 2004
This year showed once again how attractive the renowned design award for professional designers and companies conferred by Design Center Stuttgart really is. Roughly 200 contestants submitted a total of 391 products in the hope of receiving an award. The judges panel awarded the “Focus in Silver” for outstanding design quality to 62 products, and eight “Focus in Gold” prizes for the “best of the best”. These are awards that designers and manufacturers use for the marketing communication, and that at the same time provide valuable confirmation of their creative achievement.
What is unique about the Baden-Württemberg International Design Award is the way its exhibition chooses a different theme, or focus, every year. Respectability and fairness when assessing the products are equally important factors for the Design Center Stuttgart, however. As Henning Horn, the Head of Design Center Stuttgart, explains, “Any products in whose development the judges have had a hand are excluded from the competition”.
The relatively low fee charged for entering the competition, which is sponsored by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs and Technology, is a further special incentive to participate. As Henning Horn comments: “This shows how seriously the Design Center Stuttgart takes the issue of promoting small and medium-sized businesses. Small or relatively new companies can also compete. There are no financial barriers to spoil their chances of winning a “Focus in Silver” or “Focus in Gold”.
On October 12, the prizes were awarded by Ernst Pfister, the Baden-Württemberg Minister of Economic Affairs and Technology, and the Focus Dialog exhibition was opened. All the award-winning products will be on show from 13 October to 12 December 2004 in Haus der Wirtschaft, Willi-Bleicher-Strasse, Stuttgart. The exhibition will be open daily, except for Mondays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The “Focus in Silver” and “Focus in Gold” awards were conferred in twelve different categories, evidencing the broad scope of the “Focus Dialog” topic.
The judges were:
Matali Crasset, Paris
Prof. Uwe Fischer, Stuttgart
Roberto Fraquelli, London
Hans de Gooijer, Amsterdam
Regine Ritz, Stegen
Jürgen R. Schmid, Ammerbuch
From all the award-winning products, the judges finally selected eight products whose exceptionally high design quality qualified them for the “Focus in Gold”.
1. Production, assembly, distribution
D-70771 Leinfelden-Echterdingen
www.ads-tec.de Distributor
ADS-Tec
D-70771 Leinfelden-Echterdingen
www.ads-tec.de
Design
Bohner-Design
Matthias Bohner
D-70190 Stuttgart
www.bohner-design.de
info@bohner-design.de
und ADS-Tec
Thomas Mögerle
D-70771 Leinfelden-Echterdingen
This mobile industrial PC has been designed for use in rough environments: in workshops, for example, or in the area of distribution. The casing of the high-performance notebook is made of sturdy diecast aluminium, surrounded on three sides and on its base by a rubber bumper that protects it against impact. The double battery slot, accessible from the outside, allows the rechargeable batteries to be changed while the notebook is running, so that mobile operation can continue uninterrupted.
The device is operated via an integrated touchscreen, using either a finger or a touch pen. An integrated soft keyboard allows input directly via the touchscreen without having to connect an additional keyboard. Its slightly desk-like form and integrated pitch mechanism mean that operation is ergonomically correct in every conceivable situation.
The design is convincing with its simple, no-frills layout and the clearly structured, user-friendly user interface. Not only is the device compact and handy, but the receding base section also gives it a very light and delicate quality, and the device appears to have been reduced to the dimensions of its display. The black soft finish and anodized aluminium front panel contrast elegantly, and give the device a high-quality appearance.
Judges panel:
An extremely neat solution. For a PC in the workshop environment, the device emanates precision combined with sturdiness. Very well done, as it is not easy to combine these two factors. Makes a highly functional impression. Very rigorously designed, both formally and in its use of different materials, aluminium and rubber coating.
2. Communication, electronics and optical instruments
Phoenix Design
D-70376 Stuttgart
www.phoenixdesign.de
info@phoenixdesign.de
This television stands out by virtue of its extremely flat form and soft formal expression, which is further underlined by use of large radii, curved lines and the aluminium remote control. Its holistic design does not forget the rear surface. Here, form is preserved by a cable cover that hides all plugs and cable receptacles. State-of-the-art LCD flat screen technology provides non-flicker, distortion-free pictures and excellent depth of colour.
Mimo is not only a television, but also a radio and alarm clock. Apart from interchangeable housing panels in different colours, there are various versions: Mimo with a table leg, with a wall-mounting bracket or with a tripod floor stand, whose various elements are height-adjustable and allow cables to be conducted through the rear aluminium section so that they cannot be seen from the front.
Judges panel:
The leg is a very nice idea, because it has been reduced to a minimum of function. For the sake of stability, a lot of companies make very heavy legs. But all we want to have is the picture, and not much else. A good example of a television whose appearance is very light and friendly.
3. Medicine, rehabilitation, geriatric medicine
Ulrich Alber GmbH + Co. KG
D-72461 Albstadt
www.ulrich-alber.de Distributor Ulrich Alber GmbH + Co. KG D-72461 Albstadt Design
Stefan Lippert
Industrial Design
D-70176 Stuttgart
www.industrial.li
sl@industrial.li
A wheelchair with suspension is nothing unusual. But “Adventure” offers more than that, giving a hitherto unknown level of driving safety, drive traction and comfort. It opens up new off-road opportunities for wheelchair users – in the mountains, on meadows and on other uneven terrain. Its innovative technology stands for integration, active life and the experience of adventure.
Compared with traditional electric motors for wheelchairs, the highly efficient drive motors provide an up to 45% greater range. Depending on terrain, the small, handy rechargeable batteries allow the user to travel up to 45 kilometres. The four fully sprung and damped wheels and the 52 mm spring travel provide traction and secure support on uneven terrain, where other wheelchairs quickly flounder. The large front wheel can manage kerbstones up to seven centimetres high. The tyres were developed especially for “Adventure”. The tyre tread is raised in the middle, which means that the tyres run smoothly and are easy to turn on even surfaces. Towards the edge, the tread is deep, allowing the tyres to “bite” on soft surfaces such as meadows.
Thanks to its modular construction, all important components can be removed from the chassis in a thrice and transported by car.
Judges panel:
Very easy, intuitive joystick operation. A light touch is all that is needed to drive forward or reverse, and the wheelchair has a very tight turning circle. Driving is very attractive and fun. A perfect and important piece of work. Neat design, well designed product, robust, sturdy, solid. You feel very secure in it. A sporty solution.
4. Architecture, public space
D-70499 Stuttgart Design
Wiege Entwicklungs GmbH
D-31848 Bad Münder
www.wiege.com
wiege@wiege.com
Having arrived home, the touch of a finger on a display is enough to display mail in-tray, telephone calls, closing prices, and what’s on your favourite channel. Another touch, and the lawn sprinkler outside is turned on, while inside warm light and your favourite music are switched on. A single display that makes checking and controlling all the installations in the house child’s play, together with communication, information and entertainment media – that is what visiPad® offers, together with its innovative visiSoft software. Everything is done in an instant by touching simple symbols and words, or via a remote control that replaces all the remote controls that were in the house before. And visiPad® can also be accessed from anywhere in the world via telephone or internet/e-mail. The device has been designed for use in sophisticated private homes, hotels, clinics or conference rooms.
Its unassuming, timeless styling is linear, clear, elegant and reduced to its bare functions. Side panels without three-dimensional operating elements appear to stretch the touchscreen horizontally, giving visiPad® the appearance of an art object. The ultra-flat device can be fastened to a wall or stood up on its own. There is a choice of a combination of various high-quality materials, such as aluminium with stainless steel, leather, wood or glass.
Judges panel:
Very easy to understand and to control. A good combination of hardware and software, very clear. We do not need even more animation. The device is truly functional, and its graphic design is good. You can understand how to get from one area of the display to the next. Excellently done.
7. Kitchen
Stefan Diez
D-80469 München
When using “Genio”, food is taken direct from the kitchen to the table: the high-quality stainless steel pots are simply given a porcelain “shell”. There is no unnecessary crockery, no messy pouring, and the food stays warm longer. The range has everything you need for daily use: pots of different sizes, via stackable roasting pans, to gratin forms of various sizes. Both the pots and the chinaware can be used independently.
The soft lines are expressed in a slightly bulging rim, which also has a functional feature: this protuberance allows the corresponding pots fit perfectly into their “shell”.
The cookware was manufactured by the traditional Swiss “Spring” brand name, using an exclusive three-layer system: two layers of non-rusting stainless steel enclose an aluminium core, ideal for conducting heat. The gratin form is also made of a special material developed especially by Rosenthal: a new ceramic material that is particularly heatproof and ovenproof, and that conducts hearts excellently.
Judges panel:
An archetypical, pure form. A very elegant way of combining kitchen and table. At the same time, however, it offers two elements that work independently of each other: the pot is still a pot, and the dish still a dish. That makes sense. Very intelligent, clever product.
7. Kitchen
Manufacturer Peel Appeal GmbH CH-8505 Pfyn info@peelappeal.com Distributor Oexle GmbH & Co. KG D-78224 Singen Design Iwan Rasa CH-8505 Pfyn iwan.rasa@peelappeal.com
What is striking about this vegetable peeler is its very simple, elegant and unusual form. It fits very well in the hand. The grip is very close to the blade. This cancels out the lever arm, and means that the peeling blade can be guided directly and exactly, thus making it simpler to peel fruit and vegetables. The ergonomically shaped grip surfaces are an additional feature that make the peeler easy to handle. It can be used equally well by left and right-handed people.
The vegetable peeler’s easy handling, unusual design and functionality are not its only plus points: it also stands out by virtue of its longevity and high-quality finishing. To guarantee this high quality, the dishwasher-safe product is manufactured exclusively in Switzerland. It is made of high-quality, matt-brushed stainless steel with a non-rusting Swiss blade that can easily be replaced, making it an economical product, too.
Judges panel:
A very simple, appealing product that can be used intuitively. It comprises two components: blade and handle. Its form is the result of the manufacturing process. Simple, elegant, high quality in terms of material and manufacturing process.
11. Leisure, sport
Manufacturer BabyBjörn AB SE-182 15 Danderyd www.babybjorn.com Distributor Sales Plus D-91058 Erlangen Design Håkan Bergkvist S-16714 Bromma und BabyBjörn AB SE-182 15 Danderyd www.babybjorn.com annika.sander@babybjorn.com
BabyBjörn® Tragesitz Active for children weighing between 3.5 and 12 kilos is a further development of the popular BabyBjörn® baby carrier. This alternative to the bulky pram helps to preserve mobility in everyday situations and, at the same time, permits close parent-child contact: in walks through the woods, on shopping sprees or at home.
The new design allows the baby to carried for a long period, even when it is bigger and heavier. The carrying straps take the weight off the back and shoulders. In addition, there is an integrated back support that can be adjusted to the individual user.
This very user-friendly carrier is put on just like a waistcoat, and everything can be adjusted very simply, without the need for a second pair of hands. Even a sleeping baby can be put into and taken out of the seat without waking it up. Moreover, a baby can be breastfed while in the carrier. Seat size can be adjusted to the growing child. The headrest can be widened once the baby’s neck muscles have become stronger, or folded down so that the baby can look straight ahead.
The hooks and eyelets that belong together are colour-coded, thus allowing mix-ups to be avoided.
Judges panel:
This baby carrier has two innovations: a back support and the possibility of adjusting both the depth and the height of the carrier. This makes it very pleasant to carry the weight of the baby. Again and again, this company comes up with innovative products.
12. Transport
DaimlerChrysler AG
D-70546 Stuttgart
www.mercedes-benz.de Distributor
DaimlerChrysler Distributors-
organisation Deutschland
D-10878 Berlin Design Werksdesign D-71059 Sindelfingen www.mercedes-benz.de harald.leschke@daimlerchrysler.com
For the first time, this new, pioneering vehicle concept combines the elegance and dynamism of a coupe with the comfort and practicality of a limousine. The CLS class has the space and boot capacity of a limousine, combined with the emotive charisma of a coupe. It was developed from a coupe prototype presented by Mercedes-Benz at the IAA motor show in the autumn of 2003. The enthusiastic reception it was given reinforced the decision to start series production of the four-door model.
It is also pioneering in terms of its technical features: apart from adaptive front airbags, side airbags and window airbags, it is also available with Pre-Safe, a predictive passenger protection system that activates safety mechanisms in critical driving situations. There is a choice of two high-performance petrol engines: a newly developed six-cylinder engine in the CLS 350, generating 200 kW/272 hp, and an eight-cylinder engine in the CLS 500, generating 225 kW/306 hp. Both engines have the new seven-gear 7G-Tronic automatic transmission as a standard feature – the first transmission of this kind for passenger cars. In the CLS 500, S-class comfort is provided by features such as the Airmatic DC pneumatic suspension system and the Thermotronic four-zone air-conditioning system.
Judges panel:
Very interesting concept: looks like a sports car, but has four doors. Formally speaking, the outside appearance is very well done. One new and somewhat unexpected feature is that the design has not only been varied, but developed further in the true sense of the word. An epitome of the technology, innovation and power that is to be found in the company. Expresses the brand equity of Mercedes.
