Focus Open award-winners
Baden-Württemberg International Design Award 2009
Over recent years, the Baden-Württemberg International Design Award has made a name for itself as a “focus” competition. Its unique concept of focusing on a specific issue – Focus Green in 2008, for example, or Focus Safety in 2007 – has confronted manufacturers and designs with special challenges to their current design trends and development tasks. To mark the tenth anniversary of this design award, the Design Center Stuttgart called for entries for “Focus Open”: for the first time, the competition was not related to any specific theme.
The award’s excellent reputation is reflected in the very high number of participants: 438 entries were received. Products were submitted from Europe, Asia and the United States. At the same time, this response is also an indication of the growing importance of professional design in companies. In participating in the competition, business and industry affirm that they exploit the value-added of design awards in their marketing communication – especially when the economy is going through a difficult period.
Categories
When registering their products, contestants could choose from 15 categories, which suitably reflected the diversity of today’s product worlds:
Production, assembly, logistics │Medicine, rehabilitation, geriatrics │ Bathrooms, sanitary installations, wellness │ Kitchens, household │ Tableware and kitchenware │Living │Family │Leisure, outdoor activities │ Sport │Communication, audio/video, optical equipment │Lighting │ Contract furniture │ Architecture, public design │ Energy and installations technology │ Transport, traffic.
Judging and awards
In a judging process lasting two days, which as usual took place without any pre-selection, the six judges assessed the original products according to solely classic design criteria, including design quality, functionality, innovative content, ergonomics / interface, product graphics, ecology, quality, emotional content and brand conformity. In the end, 95 products were selected for an award. Eighty-four products were awarded the “Focus in Silver” for excellent design work. The supreme “Focus in Gold” award went to a further eleven products. The judges were unanimous in their opinion that companies and designers were highly innovative in 2009, with greater courage to try unusual design solutions.
The judges were:
• Silke Claus, Strategic Consultant, Germany
• Stefan Diez, Stefan Diez Office, Germany
• Michael Lanz, designaffairs, Germany
• Frederick Rickmann, DN Asp, Denmark
• Nicola Stattmann, Büro Nicola Stattmann, Germany
• Alex Terzariol, MM Design, Italy
Objective, respectable, non-commercial
Every year, the Focus competitions are characterized by a high level of objectivity and credibility. For example, almost all the entries for Focus Open were assessed in the original. Only a few especially bulky products and capital goods were presented as photographs. No products in which the judges were involved were allowed to be entered for the competition. Finally, the non-commercial competition’s favourable entry fees also allow smaller and younger companies to measure themselves and their products on an international level.
Benefit for award-winners
The benefit for the award-winners is especially evident in their marketing communication: the “Focus in Gold” and “Focus in Silver” labels are seals of quality and popular product hallmarks. In addition, the formal award-giving ceremony, the exhibition lasting several weeks on the attractive premises of Ludwigsburg’s “Werkzentrum Weststadt”, as well as the presentation of the products in the internet and their publication in the yearbook, which is distributed worldwide, help generate public attention and awareness.
But the internal effects of the awards also play an important role in companies and design studios, since they are fundamental in promoting employees’ motivation and identification with their work.
Focus in Gold
Tokio – Basic core-forming tool
Production, assembly, logistics
ManufacturerCX-Gruppe GmbH
D-70499 Stuttgart
www.cx-gruppe.com Designer
Werksdesign
und
Reform Design
D-70565 Stuttgart
www.reform-design.de Distributor
CX-Gruppe GmbH
D-70499 Stuttgart
www.cx-gruppe.com
A core-forming tool is used for die-casting engine components such as cylinder heads or crankcases. An innovative modular principle allows customers to put together the tool they need from three series. The simple, patented design makes assembly easy and extremely accurate, with little need for maintenance.
This is reflected in the tool’s formal expression, which is precise and clear. Its design has been reduced to essentials. The contrast between the soft vertical forms and clear horizontal dividing lines creates a cool aesthetic. Precisely ground and polished steel surfaces set functional elements clearly apart from frame elements. Its two-tone colour scheme emphasizes the tool’s light weight compared with conventional models, and makes it appear even less bulky. Formally, functionally and semantically consistent in its design, it is immediately recognizable.
Moreover, the core-forming tool harmonizes very well with the company’s corporate image. Its basic form alludes to the group logo. The “M” corresponds with the logo of the company’s Masterform division, and at the same time makes it clear which part of the frame belongs at the top, and which at the bottom.
Judges panel
This product stands clearly apart from conventional core-forming tools. A new approach, and an excellent solution. Excellent form. New and functional design. Extremely well made. The materials have been worked neatly, with a high level of craftsmanship. Its appearance makes it easy to “read”. It is easy to imagine the product in a machine shop.
VivaPen – Primary packaging
Medicine, rehabilitation, geriatric medicine
ManufacturerIvoclar Vivadent AG
FL-9494 Schaan
www.ivoclarvivadent.com Designer
FPM Factor Product München
D-81667 München
www.factor-product.com Distributor
Ivoclar Vivadent AG
D-73479 Ellwangen
www.ivoclar.de
The design of this primary packaging for dentistry materials is based on an innovative idea: using packaging as a tool. The dentist can use this packaging directly when treating patients.
VivaPen has therefore been developed according to ergonomic criteria, like a dental tool. Three grip zones, a wedge shape that fits snugly in the hand, and rubber-coated surfaces facilitate secure operation and allow the dentist to work accurately. Using this packaging like a pen, he can apply exactly the right amount of filling in the patient’s mouth.
A rubber-coated pump mechanism on the side of the pen allows him to dispense the right amount when he needs it. The new, ergonomically formed turning-spindle cannula not only allows extremely viscous materials to be dispensed using just one hand, but also minimizes the amount of effort required. An integrated fill-level indicator shows how much material is left inside the pen.
A new brand-typical design language has been created that allows the relatively high-priced products to be presented adequately and makes them easy to recognize. Coloured rings and product graphics provide orientation among the more than 30 different possible colours of dental materials.
Judges panel
A product whose formal expression and colour scheme make it stand out in the medical sphere. The issue of how to operate it has been very well solved. The dentist can work with it using just one hand. It is light, and also well adapted to different areas of application. Excellent example of modern industrial design, very contemporary design.
Axor Urquiola – Wash basin
Bathrooms, sanitary installations, wellness
ManufacturerHansgrohe AG
D-77761 Schiltach
www.hansgrohe.com Designer
Patricia Urquiola
I-20135 Mailand
www.patriciaurquiola.com Distributor
Hansgrohe Deutschland Vertriebs GmbH
D-77761 Schiltach
www.hansgrohe.com
This archetypical wash basin with its poetic air alludes to the form of the washtubs of the past. Its innovative material – it is mineral cast with a polyester gel coat surface – now allows this unusual form to be made in one single casting process. The slit-like apertures incorporated on either side are reminiscent of the handles of the washtubs of yesteryear. They serve as practical towel or flannel holders.
The wash basin is part of a comprehensive bathroom range of washbasins, bath tubs, fittings and a partition that call be used as a free-standing radiator. The series is characterized by flowing transitions, soft forms and gentle curves. Yet each individual element has its own particular charm. The different products interact as individual elements to create a new, harmonious ensemble that plays its part in the room’s overall design. The fundamental idea is the way personal styles change and interact. With this lively mix of styles, the bathroom becomes an individual, intimate place of retreat that overturns the traditional dividing line between bathroom and bedroom – sensual, harmonious, imaginative, poetic.
Judges panel
Unusual, completely different wash basin. It alludes to the archetypical wash tub, translating it excellently into a modern mode. The grips at the side have been incorporated in an interesting way. They serve as hand rests, and are at the same time towel holders. This is especially attractive, because towel holders and hooks are otherwise always getting in the way. Here, they do not disturb the overall impression. Wonderfully done, a beautiful series. Very high-quality material.
Eva Solo Salad Spinner – Salad spinner
Tableware and kitchenware
ManufacturerEva Denmark A/S
DK-2760 Måløv
www.evadenmark.com Designer
Tools Design
Claus Jensen & Henrik Holbæk
DK-2400 Kopenhagen NV
www.toolsdesign.dk Distributor
Eva Denmark A/S
DK-2760 Måløv
www.evadenmark.com
A completely new way of drying lettuce: a simple, small bucket is swung around in the air, and the salad is quickly dry.
The bucket, which is dishwasher-proof, is furnished with a nylon cord handle and a drainage plate made of stainless steel. The bucket gets its flexibility from the TPE rubber from which it is made. This material is soft, and approved for foods.
The way the salad spinner works is very simple: the salad is rinsed in the bucket. Then, the top of the bucket is squeezed together to form a spout, and the water is poured off. The bucket can then be swung around in the air. In the process, any surplus water and dirt collects under the drainage plate. The lettuce is now clean, dry and ready for serving.
This unusual salad spinner is available in spring green, steel grey and creamy sand.
Judges panel
Very good because it’s so simple, but nonetheless highly functional. The soft material that can be squeezed together means that water can be poured off without the lettuce falling out. There is something archaic about the action of swinging the bucket. Unlike many other salad spinners, it can easily be cleaned. Most of them do a bad job of drying. This one, by contrast, is very simple, practical, wonderful. With a dryer like this, even children will want to dry the lettuce.
Synergy – Baby carrier
Family
ManufacturerBabyBjörn AB
SE-18215 Danderyd
www.babybjorn.com Designer
Werksdesign
Lillemor Jakobson, Lisen Elmberg Distributor
BabyBjörn AB
SE-33010 Bredaryd
www.babybjorn.com
“Synergy” is a combination of two BabyBjörn products: the comfortable back support of the Active carrier and the light, breathable, 3D mesh material of the Air carrier.
The result is a baby carrier that combines plenty of comfort with pleasant coolness. The robust back support provides maximum support for the small of the back, and the broad carrying straps take away the strain and spread the weight of the baby evenly over the parent’s back and shoulders.
The special 3D mesh material draws away heat and moisture, and keeps parent and child pleasantly cool. There are three different mesh strengths. The elastic 3D mesh adapts to the shape of the child’s body, while the stiff mesh provides solid support. The especially soft mesh on the inside of the head rest nestles pleasantly against the baby’s skin.
“Synergy” can easily be adjusted at the front. It is suitable for babies weighing between 3.5 and 12 kilos. The baby carrier, which is available in black or white, is certified to Öko-Tex Standard 100, class 1. This means it contains no unhealthy substances.
Judges panel
The quality of design is impressive. Very well thought through, good selection of materials. Logical and elegant from top to bottom. The baby carrier has a sporty character, in tune with the lifestyle of young parents. The wearer looks good in it.
PowerStep™ Pruner – secateurs
Leisure, outdoor
ManufacturerFiskars Brands Finland Oy Ab
FI-10330 Billnäs
www.fiskars.com Designer
Werksdesign
Olavi Linden, Markus Paloheimo Distributor
Fiskars Brands Germany
D-32051 Herford
www.fiskars.com
With normal secateurs, it is sometimes impossible to cut the thick branches of plants such as rhododendrons or, if so, only with a lot of effort and using both hands. Using PowerStep® Pruner, by contrast, such work becomes child’s play.
This is possible thanks to its innovative PowerStepTM mechanism: a gear mechanism that recognizes how thick branches are, automatically selects the gear needed for branch thickness 1, 2 or 3, and gradually cuts through the branch.
The pruner lightly cuts through thin branches like a normal pair of secateurs. Where branches are thicker, the intelligent mechanism is automatically activated. It decides whether the cut has to be performed in two or three stages.
As the secateurs do the thinking, there is no need to adjust them manually. As soon as they are opened, a white 1, 2 or 3 shows how many stages have been selected for the cut. When the secateurs are not in use, the display on the handle remains black.
PowerStep® Pruner cleanly cuts through any branch up to a thickness of 20 millimetres. It eliminates the need for extreme effort, and in this way reduces the strain on the gardener. This ease of use is also helped by its light weight and ergonomic design.
Judges panel
A very intelligent mechanical concept that reduces the amount of effort needed, since the several-stage transmission of force means that even thicker branches can be cut with less effort. Very appealing design. The secateurs are very light. A modern interpretation of Fiskars CI. Really excellent design work.
Smart One – Bicycle helmet
Sport
ManufacturerYakkay As
DK-2900 Hellerup
www.yakkay.com Designer
aus Kopenhagen:
Claus Jensen & Henrik Holbæk, www.toolsdesign.dk
Marianne Tuxen, www.tuxendesign.com
Maria Berntsen, www.mariaberntsen.com
aus Hørsholm:
Morten Langebæk Distributor
Yakkay As
DK-2900 Hellerup
www.yakkay.com
Many people who cycle around in cities do not put on a helmet, as they do not want to go to work, school or the shops wearing a sporty helmet. They want to dress in their own personal dress style. Smart One makes this possible. With the new type of helmet, the wearer can look stylish and still ride a bike safely.
This innovative bicycle helmet is the first to combine high safety standards and aesthetics. It is made up of two parts: a sturdy basic helmet and a cover. This is slipped on to the helmet, and comes in a variety of different designs.
The basic helmet complies with the European CE standard (EN 1078). To ensure that the head is well protected, the helmet can be adjusted to fit any size and shape of head with the help of special self-adhesive foam circles which are attached to the inside of the helmet. Further unusual features include rounded ear straps and adjustable stainless-steel buckles.
Slipping one of the many different covers on to the basic helmet makes it into a fashion accessory. Instead of a bicycle helmet, it is now a hat, a cap, a sun-hat or a fur hat. The covers are available in various fabrics, designs and styles.
Judges panel
A completely new approach. This is the first bicycle helmet you can really wear. It’s about fashion, being well-dressed, and humour. People who don’t want to cycle through town in cycling shorts and sporty helmets, but who want to look fashionable, at last have a chance to wear a bicycle helmet as well. It has already resulted in a lot more people wearing helmets in the countries where it has been introduced. So it has already proved that it is an important safety factor.
APO HG – Binoculars
Communication, audio/video, optical equipment
ManufacturerMinox GmbH
D-35578 Wetzlar
www.minox.com Designer
Werksdesign Distributor
Minox GmbH
D-35578 Wetzlar
www.minox.com
These exceptional binoculars make use of the latest optical technology. They offer excellent vision thanks to their apochromatic lens technology – the result of intense cooperation between Minox engineers and glass developers at Schott.
Because the lens elements are made of special high-quality Schott ED glass, which contains fluoride, the binoculars are apochromatically corrected. As a result, image rendition is brilliant, with absolutely natural colours and highly defined contours. In addition, APO HG optics prevent blooming. The aspherical lenses in the eyepieces eliminate any blurring at the edge of the field of vision, and guarantee contrast and consistent clarity from the centre to the edge.
The novel Minotec coating uses nanotechnology to repel dust, water and dirt from the external glass surfaces, making them even better to use in the field.
Using the binoculars has been optimized considerably thanks to the Quick-Close-Focus function developed by Minox. One single turn is all that is needed to adjust the binoculars’ focus from close-up to infinity. The design of the large metal focusing wheel makes it very functional and easy to operate. With a tapered housing made of extremely hard-wearing and extra-light magnesium, the binoculars weigh in at an unbeatable 660 grams.
Judges panel
Ingenious product. All the details have been solved in a way that makes sense: the high-precision lenses, the elegant high-quality surface, the brilliant image. Wonderful how the quality of the optics permeates the rest of the design. Very unassuming and precise. Very easy to use. Elegance like this is rarely seen in binoculars.
Circolo – Ring-shaped pendant lamp
Lighting
ManufacturerSattler Objektlicht
D-73092 Heiningen
www.sattler-objektlicht.de Designer
Werksdesign Distributor
Sattler Objektlicht
D-73092 Heiningen
www.sattler-objektlicht.de
With its innovative lighting technology and futuristic design, this ring-shaped pendant lamp sets new accents. As a shape, the circle embodies perfect harmony, and this is reflected in the circular design of Cicrolo. With its purist design, which has been reduced to the bare essentials, the lamp appears to float, and provides a wide variety of lighting moods as well as spectacular colour effects. It is equipped with an LED colour control that can create two million different hues, which can be changed as desired by means of an infrared remote control unit. In addition, pre-programmed colour sequences can be played manually or controlled by a time switch. The housing is made of anthracite-coloured, matt structured aluminium, and the inner ring is made of frosted acrylic glass. The lamp is available in three different diameters: 1320, 1600 and 2300 millimetres.
Judges panel
What is so impressive about the pendant lamp is its huge size and its reduction to basics, the way it can create different lighting moods, and the many different places it can be used, such as above workplaces, in shops or reception areas, and above conference and meeting tables. The floating character of the luminescent ring gives it an air of strength and independence. An exciting product that creates a wonderful light.
Ledia FP – Façade lighting
Architecture, public design
ManufacturerHess AG
D-78050 Villingen-Schwenningen
www.hess.eu Designer
Winkels & Partner
International Light Architects
D-44147 Dortmund
www.winkels-partner.com Distributor
Hess AG
D-78050 Villingen-Schwenningen
www.hess.eu
The use of modern LED technology in the façade lighting system opens up completely new design possibilities for architects planning with light and glass. It turns glass façades into colourful, lively installations that create an atmospheric mood or spectacular lighting events in urban spaces.
The design approach starts from the rediscovery of profiled-glass elements for modern buildings whose façades have to be lit up at night.
The translucent light wall comprises vertically arranged standard profiled glass elements that have been assembled in two layers. A separate Ledia FP lighting element is integrated into the base of each element, and thus into the façade, where it is protected against vandalism.
Each lighting element is equipped with six high-power RGB LEDs. Each RGB element can be controlled individually. There are eight preset light programs – which range from one single colour, to one colour that changes its hue and intensity, to a brilliant rainbow, to blue walls with flashing lights. It is also possible to have light shows that interact with other media, such as music.
Judges panel
Very impressive. The combination of light and glass makes any number of atmospheric variants possible. At last, façades are now colourful, and full of light and harmony.
RUDmatic Soft Spike – Traction aid
Transport, traffic
ManufacturerRUD Ketten
Rieger & Dietz GmbH & Co. KG
D-73432 Aalen
www.rud.com Designer
Quintessence [media]
D-70176 Stuttgart
www.quintessence-media.de
Textiles and steel take on ice and snow. This new traction aid helps drivers to continue their journey if they are suddenly surprised by wintry conditions. Especially on black ice and slippery snow it provides an excellent grip.
RUDmatic Soft Spike is a high-tech textile tyre sock which can be fitted quickly and intuitively. With the help of practical mounting tongues, it is simply pulled on to the drive wheels. A patented Velcro fastener ensures that the drive aid fits perfectly and smoothly. Soft Spike combines the benefits of textiles and metal. Its core element is the patented ferrofil® fibre. The incorporation of robust metal wires in a double fabric provides a large number of extra gripping surfaces. These effectively boost the tyre profile and increase traction. Like spikes, the metal wires dig into slippery surfaces such as ice, while the textile ensures that there are enough points of contact with the snow.
This high-tech textile is the result of collaboration with the Institute of Textile and Process Technology in Denkendorf, Germany. This instant anti-skid system fits on all conventional car tyres, and can simply be washed by hand.
Judges panel
A complete reinterpretation of snow chains like this is a sign of great innovative ability and skill. It is very courageous to come up with a textile solution for the automotive industry. Materials, function and assembly have been excellently thought through. Moreover, if there is not so much snow covering the road, the traction aid does not cause as much damage to the road surface as snow chains.
