 |
|
|
************************************************************************** |
E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE |
************************************************************************** |
|
|
Focus Green Internationaler Designpreis 2008 |
|
CHAM, SWITZERLAND, Nov. 5 -/E-Wire/-- The competition Successful participation in design competitions offers companies and design studios a great many advantages, as well as strengthening their market position. Awards are evidence of outstanding innovative strength, and provide positive feedback on the work done in product development. In this way, awards also become quality criteria, for companies and products alike. In addition, they strengthen brand identity, lead to the formation of a positive image, and help to increase motivation internally. Award-winning products generally make a valuable economic and cultural contribution to business and society.
|
The Baden-Württemberg International Design Award, which is awarded as a government prize, has an unmistakable profile. The "Focus in Gold" and "Focus in Silver" design awards are highly sought after as guarantees of the highest design quality. Every year, contestants are invited to compete for this award with products focusing on a topic that changes from year to year, and that takes it lead from issues that are of decisive topical importance for the business world in general and product development in particular. Low participation fees guarantee the respectability and credibility of the competition, as well as its non-commercial nature, and also allow small and medium-sized enterprises to test their design work in an international environment. The award's fairness is also helped by the fact that the members of the judges panel are already known when the call for entries is made, and that their products may not take part in the competition.
|
The topic for 2008 Environmental protection and sustainability are topics that currently dominate public and political debate. As never before, the call for environmentally friendly products is becoming ever louder, especially also in the international growth markets and at major trade fairs. It is up to companies and designers to find answers to these calls – answers that may differ greatly from industry to industry. Sometimes the focus is on optimized or substitute materials, sometimes on more technically oriented measures to reduce energy consumption during manufacture and use. Finally, formal longevity must not be underestimated, since it is especially decisive for how long a product is used, and thus for its environmental impact. While eco-conscious companies often acted voluntarily as "political activists" and out of a sense of social responsibility in the 1990s, economic constraints on their own are nowadays enough to bring about a new departure in product development. Constantly increasing raw materials and energy prices demand that design, engineering and construction deliver intelligent ways of economizing.
|
Awards and procedure Manufacturers and professional designers from all over the world compete for the Baden-Württemberg International Design Award with products that fit into various categories. No more than two years must have passed since the products' market launch. To create a favourable environment for innovations, prototypes are also allowed to compete, provided their readiness for series production is guaranteed. A total of 230 products were entered for Focus Green. Their manufacturers and designers are based in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Slovenia, Italy, the U.S. and Japan.
|
For judging, the products were grouped into areas of business that are especially important for Focus Green: Industry and trade Architecture and public space Energy and installations technology Lighting Medicine and rehabilitation Bathrooms and sanitary installations Household appliances Kitchen Interiors Contract furniture Communication Leisure and outdoor It was remarkable that there was not one entry in the "Traffic and transport" category, although such a category was planned.
|
Judging primarily focused on ecological design criteria. These included Potentially long service life thanks to formally timeless and high-quality design Options for servicing, maintenance and repair Reduced use of raw materials thanks to appropriate, minimized use of materials Preference given to materials with a favourable eco-balance Way in which materials are used (as non-composite or composite materials, for example) Consideration of sensible and feasible possibilities for recycling, either by labelling materials or in the design principles used Manufacturing processes that consider the use of auxiliary and consumable materials Energy consumption of the product during a) manufacturing and b) use, and Any environmental declarations and certificates accompanying the products
|
But consideration was also given to conventional criteria for assessing good design: Design quality Innovative content Ergonomics Use of new materials Quality of use User controls, product graphics and typography Quality, grace, emotional content Design quality of product peripherals: instructions for use and assembly, sales packaging
|
For two days, the experts on the judges panel assessed the submitted products, which they were able to inspect in the original. Assessing the original product is a must to allow judging to be an objective as possible. There is no judging on the basis of photographs to pre-select products.
|
Results The outstandingly high quality of the products submitted led to a record result in the "Focus in Gold" class. This ultimate accolade was awarded eleven times. The competition rules only allow one product per category to receive this award. The judges awarded the "Focus in Silver" to a further 55 products. All 66 award-winners are published in detail on the pages that follow, together with the judges' comments. We also present the members of the panel and their own personal views on eco-friendly product design. In a further part of this publication, we present the prize-winning and highly commended entries for the Mia Seeger prize for young designers. Finally, all the award-winners will enjoy the additional benefit of having their products exhibited at Werkzentrum Weststadt in Ludwigsburg until 7 December 2008, as well as being presented in the internet.
|
|
/SOURCE:
|
Borawind ag |
-0-
|
11-05-2008 |
/CONTACT:
|
Andreas Schweitzer, borawind ag, Vice Chairman Seestrasse 1 CH 6330 Cham, Switzerland as@borawind.com Tel: +41 22 716 54 09 Mobile : +41 79 211 65 60 eFax +41 860 792 116 560 |
| /WEB SITE: |
http://www.borawind.com
|
|
************************************************************************** |
To Transmit Your News Over E-Wire, visit http://www.ewire.com or
call 1-800-343-9013. E-Wire Is Broadcast To Millions Of Readers Worldwide |
************************************************************************** |
|
|
|
|
