Results of Baden-Württemberg International Design Award 2007
This year showed once again how attractive this renowned design award for professional designers and companies really is. A total of 206 products focusing on the safety topic took part in the competition. The judges panel awarded the “Focus in Silver” for outstanding design quality to 56 products, and seven “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. Products in whose development the judges were involved are excluded from competing.
The relatively low fee charged for entering the competition is a further special incentive to participate. As part of the Baden-Württemberg state programme to promote trade and industry, it thus offers small and young companies the chance to compete with their products.
The “Focus in Silver” and “Focus in Gold” awards were conferred in ten different categories, evidencing the broad scope of the “Focus Safety” topic: Industrial and on-the-job safety, production and working environment, public safety, medicine and rescue, installations technology and safety, interiors, household, architecture and spaces, transport and traffic, leisure and outdoor.
The judges were:
- Prof. Uwe Fischer, ABK Stuttgart, Germany
- Henning Horn, Henning Horn PR Ludwigsburg, Germany
- Roland Heiler, Porsche Design Studio, Austria
- Susanne Lengyel, president of VDID (Association of German Industrial Designers), Germany
- Britta Pukall, milani, Switzerland
- Aleks Tatic, Attivo Creative Resource, Italy
Details of the “Focus in Gold” and “Focus in Silver” award-winning products can be found on the following pages. The original products are on show from 6 October to 9 December 2007 in Werkzentrum West, Ludwigsburg. The award-giving ceremony was on 5 October.
Focus in Gold
„Dunlop Purofort+“ Safety boots
Hevea BV
NL-8102 HS Raalte
www.hevea.com
www.dunlop.info Designer
Scherfdesign
Rudolf A. Scherf
D-51105 Köln
www.scherfdesign.de Distributor Hevea BV
NL-8102 HS Raalte
www.hevea.com
www.dunlop.com
Conventional safety boots are often made of PVC. The “Dunlop Purofort+”, by contrast, is the first time a safety boot has been developed that, taking ecological criteria into consideration, is made completely of polyurethane (PU, TPU).
The boot combines a high degree of safety with comfort and good design. It not only has a steel toecap and sole, but also a reflecting heel protector made of thermoplastic urethane (TPU). This protects the ankles and Achilles tendon, and provides added safety when visibility is poor. Combined with a TPU torsion insert in the walking sole, the boot provides safe support in difficult terrain, and reduces the risk of accidents as a result of twisting the ankle or slipping.
The dual-component moulding process used in the boot’s manufacture means that the shaft is less dense, and so softer and more flexible than the sole, whose greater density makes it resistant to abrasion, with a good grip. The anatomical design of the last ensures a better fit, while the foamed structure of the polyurethane offers excellent heat insulation and elasticity down to minus 20 degrees.
The boot’s styling takes its lead from modern outdoor equipment. Its sporty-technical lines and functional formal expression give it a new, innovative appearance.
Judges panel
A classic product has been redesigned attractively and aesthetically, while giving structure to the shaft. Even someone who has nothing to do with safety boots can find the product appealing. In the “Dunlop” brand, which is otherwise associated with tyres, you can feel the technology in the design. The competence in working with rubber gives it the edge.
„Bosch Statusleuchte“ LED light signal
Kurz Industrie Elektronik
D-73630 Remshalden
www.kurz-elektronik.de Designer
shelter and roam
Sigmar Willnauer, Sebastian Lex
D-68167 Mannheim
www.shelterandroam.de
The “Bosch Statusleuchte” has been developed to provide optimum safety in production. As an optical signal – in work areas in which an acoustic signal is not sufficient, for example – the various colours it displays indicate what operating mode machinery and plant are in. The signal is mounted in an easily visible position on the plant or machinery. The casings of conventional status signals are coloured, like traffic lights. The “Bosch Statusleuchte”, by contrast, has a colourless, translucent casing. The individual colours only light up when the signal has been switched on. This makes it outstandingly clear, and rules out the risk of costly false alarms as a result of extraneous light being reflected – a risk that is associated with conventional status signals.
Part of the corporate product design programme for packaging machinery manufactured by the Bosch Packaging Technology division, the signal stands out by virtue of its high-quality, reduced design. The signal is available with three or five signal colours and can be attached at either 90 degrees or 180 degrees to machinery. The LED technology used means it is robust, and has a long service life. As a result, maintenance work is kept to a minimum.
Judges panel
Appealing, elegant design for what is usually a fairly neglected product category. Very clever, safe solution to the problem that the coloured signals used up to now have occasionally been misinterpreted. It has been given concrete form in a very simple and quite direct way. The absolute reduction of its interpretation is well done. Apart from the cylinder shape, design has solely followed materials and function. Super, very chic for an area like this. You could put one of these in your garden.
„Mungos Security + Cleaning” Corporate Design
Mungos Security + Cleaning
A-1150 Wien
www.mungos.at Designer
Spirit Design
A-1190 Wien
www.spiritdesign.at
The corporate design for this subsidiary of ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways, which has specialized in security and cleaning services, expresses the idea that this company is a guarantee of security and cleanliness. Its main security tasks are protecting people and buildings, security patrol services, and monitoring the surveillance systems in station complexes.
This corporate design covers all aspects of this work: business correspondence, uniforms, marketing tools, audio logo, lettering on vehicles, trade fair stand and logo. The logo is the head of a mongoose (”Mungo” in German). Natives of Asia and Africa, these animals are particularly brave and determined. The principle colours are blue and orange. Blue, the principal colour, stands for trustworthiness and respectability. Orange is an allusion to ÖBB, the parent company, and symbolizes innovation and dynamism.
The accent colours green and cyan stand for the areas of “security” and “cleaning”. The uniform communicate qualities such as dependability, trustworthiness or readiness to help, as well as dedication, dynamism and modernity. The security uniforms also communicate authority, so that the mere presence of the security staff provides a feeling of greater security.
Judges panel
What is praiseworthy here is the corporate design, and the way a service provider has devoted so much attention to the details of its employees’ uniforms. It has made its cleaning and security personnel extremely recognizable.
Very good work attire – the tailored shirt for example, or the belt buckle. You might see this in a boutique. When looked at on its own, each piece of clothing is very good quality. Young people will gladly wear it because of its professional and cool qualities. Very interesting.
„Argus“ Smoke detector
Merten GmbH & Co. KG
D-51674 Wiehl
www.merten.de Designer
Werksdesign Distributor
Merten GmbH & Co. KG
D-51674 Wiehl
www.merten.de
The danger of fire as a result of technical faults, such as a short-circuit in televisions or dryers, is frequently underestimated. The risk of fatal smoke poisoning is especially high at night, and it is at night that more deaths as a result of fire are recorded. This is where smoke detectors can save lives.
The “Argus” family of smoke detectors combines maximum safety and innovative technology with comfort and sophisticated design. It complies with the strictest testing standards for domestic smoke detectors, and is also certified by VdS (the German loss prevention organization). Monitoring is based on the principle of scattered light, known as the Tyndall effect. If smoke enters the measurement chamber, it sets off a pulsating acoustic signal about 85 dB(A) loud.
A test button allows the correct function of the device to be tested at all times. If its battery is running low, Argus emits an acoustic and optical signal. Solutions are available to suit every type of home, whether in a new building or an old building. The detector can be powered from the mains (230 volts) or by battery, and can be linked by cable or wirelessly with other sensors to provide maximum safety from basement to attic. Argus stands out by virtue not only of its elegant, flat design and its striking aluminium dust grille, but also of its high-quality materials and surfaces.
Judges panel
Like a light switch, a smoke detector always has to be seen in an architectural context, and has to take a subordinate role. Here, a good balance has been struck between unobtrusiveness on the one hand and high quality on the other. Very attractive. Doesn’t intrude on the ceiling: all you can see from below is a white circle and, on closer inspection, an attractive perforated plate that creates an impression of high quality. An excellent example of how such a product can be done.
„openminded“ Waste bin
Eva Denmark A/S
DK-2760 Måløv
www.evasolo.com Design
Tools®
Claus Jensen & Henrik Holbaek
DK- 2400 Kopenhagen NV
www.toolsdesign.dk Distributor
Eva Denmark A/S
DK-2760 Måløv
www.evasolo.com
What is striking about this waste bin is its extreme simplicity and its clear, elegant, minimalist design, as well as its ingenious lid mechanism and cleverly thought-out internal features. The cleverly designed lid allows the waste bin to be opened from all sides. The lid balances on the rim, like a tight-rope artist. A push is all that is needed to close the waste bin again. But that is not the lid’s only function. If kitchen waste has to be taken from the kitchen table to the waste bin, all that has to be done is to turn the lid around, and it doubles up as a bowl in which waste can easily be transported.
Bin liners can also be attached astonishingly simply. They are kept in place by a rubber-coated metal ring. The bin liner is simply folded around the ring and dropped into the bin. It is equally easy to fill and replace, for unlike most other waste bins, the bin has sloping sides, and this allows bin bags to be removed without effort. Moreover, “openminded” is easy to clean, since there are no hinges, joints or inaccessible corners for dirt to collect in. The waste bin is available in three sizes – for the kitchen, the office or the bathroom.
Judges panel
One look at the way the lid works is enough to arouse enthusiasm. Opening and closing it causes surprise. It can literally be placed at any point of the circle. Very innovative. Even if you let go and it falls back again, it falls elegantly. Super use of materials, top-class finishing. Aesthetically a truly brilliant product, unassuming yet excellently finished. The idea with the lid is ingenious in its simplicity. Impressive.
„Fallstop“ Training centre
Architecture, space
ManufacturerBornack GmbH & Co. KG
D-74080 Heilbronn
http://www.bornack.de Design
Klaus Bornack
Bornack GmbH & Co. KG
D-74080 Heilbronn
www.bornack.de
und
Patzner Architekten
D-70199 Stuttgart
www.patzner-architekten.de
Rope protection products alone do not represent any safety benefit. To preserve life and limb, it is essential that people use appliances properly and behave correctly in dangerous situations. For this reason, the company not only develops and tests equipment for roping up and for rescuing people from heights and depths, but also provides theoretical courses and practical exercises. The “rope protection” topic is dealt with in integrated fashion. The training building, which used to be the boiler house of a power station, is large enough for training sessions to be carried out inside, independently of the weather. Here, realistic situations can be acted out and practiced.
On the “industry” level, for example, there are various ladders, roof ridges, and shaft and silo entrances. The “intervention” practice area for the fire brigade, police and air rescue service, with its steep roof, police helicopter and helicopter cockpit, allows participants to practice improvised securing and rescuing manouevres in dangerous terrain. The classrooms and common rooms are in modern containers, forming an appealing contrast with the industrial building, which is a historic monument.
Judges panel
A brilliant idea to use an old building for this topic. It provides an enclosed space of sufficient height to allow all the emergencies to be practiced. In design terms, we have the inserted cubes of the training and office rooms, which have glazed fronts facing the fall. Architecturally very interesting. Burt the working areas are also super, such as the roofing situation or the simulation of a roof-top rescue, which can be practiced as a helicopter rescue from above. A good idea has been put into practice. What is more, it seems to work.
„gastronomic“ Gas-fired barbecue
Eva Denmark A/S
DK-2760 Måløv
www.evasolo.com Design
Tools®
Claus Jensen & Henrik Holbaek
DK- 2400 Kopenhagen NV
www.toolsdesign.dk Distributor
Eva Denmark A/S
DK-2760 Måløv
www.evasolo.com
This aesthetically pure, elegant and extremely functional gas-fired barbecue allows meals to be prepared effortlessly and quickly, without any lengthy fire-making. It has three individually adjustable grill zones, providing more variations in temperature and more ways of barbecuing meat and vegetables. It is also equipped with an aroma shield onto which any fat and meat juices can drip and evaporate or be burned away. This gives the food its typical barbecue flavour.
A roasting lid turns the barbecue into an oven, which is especially suitable for roasting larger joints of meat. The gas cylinder is stored away safely and invisibly in the housing. When the barbecue is not in use, a flat protective plate covers the gridiron and protects the barbecue from the elements. It can also be used as an attractive and practical patio table. The barbecue is made completely of stainless steel. This makes is long lasting, and means that it needs a minimum of cleaning.
Judges panel
Very prestigious piece of barbecue furniture. Semantically, too, its high level of functionality and safety are convincing. Normal gas-fired barbecues are frequently derived from classic charcoal grills, with eras to the left and right and a clumsy box for the gas canister underneath. Here, by contrast, the round basic form has been used for a very simple, elegant container, un which the gas canister is concealed. Good idea: Using it as a table when it is not being used as a barbecue. Neutral, attractive design element for the patio or garden.
