40 years of the Macintosh – Apple’s design revolution
Professor Dr. Peter Zec in a radio interview with Deutschlandfunk Kultur:
We look back on a colourful year 2024, marked by innovation, creativity and global cooperation. Designers from all over the world have once again shown how design can change people’s lives.
Highlights of this year were the Red Dot Galas in Essen, Singapore and Berlin, where we celebrated the commitment of creatives who, with their work, create design values while also offering solutions to pressing social hurdles.
The publication of the 30th edition of the International Yearbook Brands & Communication Design made it clear that good design goes far beyond aesthetic design. In times of global crises, political tensions and ongoing uncertainty, design shapes our daily lives and contributes to solving international challenges: “In free societies, design always makes an important contribution to maintaining the quality of life,” says Professor Dr. Peter Zec, founder and CEO of Red Dot.
Whether in communication design, product design or design concepts – our design community has once again proven that it not only reacts but also actively shapes the future.
Colours of Our Time – Identity and Difference in Design
The year started with a vibrant exhibition: from 22 February to 2 June 2024, the Red Dot Design Museum explored the question of what role colour plays in the design of products, brands and our cultural identity.
Colours not only shape well-known brands, but also provide insights into lifestyles and values. They connect us with others or set us apart and reflect the times and culture of different generations. The exhibition showed how colours, from brand-specific tones to the colour worlds of different generations, influence the aesthetics and perception of products.
The value of colour in design
Colour plays a central role in brand perception and product experience. It gives products aesthetic quality and shapes the identity of brands such as Nivea, Hilti and Fiskars, which significantly influence consumer culture.
The aesthetics of colour from Bauhaus to the present day
The exhibition highlighted the development of colour worlds, from the primary colours of Bauhaus to the pastel shades of the 1950s, which characterise many products today. These colour trends reflect society’s search for identity and orientation.
Macintosh turns 40
In 2024, the design world celebrated a creative milestone: 40 years ago, Apple’s first Macintosh not only changed the world of computing, but also had a lasting impact on the design landscape. With its graphical user interface, an intuitive all-in-one design and a clear aesthetic, the Macintosh set new standards for user-friendliness and functionality. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Professor Dr. Peter Zec explained how this “hunk of computer” with just 128 kilobytes of memory became the basis for a design revolution that continues to this day. The Fundamentals Hall of the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen shows how Apple continues to pursue the innovative spirit and creative elegance of the Macintosh decades later, which still characterises numerous manufacturers today and helps shape the future of technology.
Outstanding design quality in the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024
39 jurors from 20 countries gathered in the Ruhr area for the jury session to independently and individually review the submitted products. During the judging process, the experts contribute the extensive design expertise they have acquired over the course of their careers as professors, consultants, industrial designers, and journalists. Their wide-ranging experience and objective approach once again contributed to a fair and well-founded evaluation of each individual product in 2024. The result of this meeting was an outstanding competition, which was the result of a joint dialogue and reflects the high design quality of the winners.
Award ceremony with international design icons
On 24 June 2024, international designers, including the head designers of global brands such as Fiskars, Hilti, Ducati, Philips, LIXIL, Thule and Logitech, gathered in Essen for the award ceremony of the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024. At the Aalto Theatre, Professor Dr. Peter Zec, together with the jurors Luisa Bocchietto, Omri Bar-Zeev and Nina Mihovec, presented the trophies to the winners of the Red Dot: Best of the Best. Designers and manufacturers from 20 countries were honoured to receive a distinction this year. The Aalto Ballet performed an excerpt from the piece In-Between, choreographed by Armen Hakobyan, as a cultural enrichment of the gala evening.
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Thule is Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2024
The presentation of the “Radius” challenge cup was the crowning glory of the award ceremony. This year, the highest accolade in the design industry went to Sweden. The renowned Swedish brand Thule, known for its outdoor adventure and lifestyle products, was honoured with the title “Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2024”. The title recognises Thule’s tireless commitment to innovative design, functional excellence and its deep understanding of its customers’ needs.
Henrik Eriksson, Global Design Director of the Thule Group, accepted the Radius together with his team and emphasised the central role of teamwork in this success: “The collective is always better!” The challenge cup was presented to him by Malachy Spollen, Head of Design & Brand Innovation at Logitech, on the stage of the Aalto Theatre. Thule thus succeeds Logitech as the new title holder.
Designers’ Night
The after-show party at the Red Dot Design Museum on the premises of the Zeche Zollverein offered a diverse atmosphere. Guests could explore the museum, relax in the beer garden or party on the dance floor – something for all tastes.
Guests had the opportunity to explore the award-winning products of this year’s winners. The exhibition “Milestones in Contemporary Design” presented the best products of 2024, selected by the Red Dot Jury from the 51 categories of the competition. Around 1,500 other products that received an award in the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024 were also presented in the special exhibition “Design on Stage”. Both exhibitions are open to visitors until 1 June 2025.
One highlight was the special exhibition on the ground floor of the Red Dot Design Museum, which brought the Thule success story to life. The exhibition offered a fascinating insight into the work of the design team and presented the company’s iconic products. It was a magnet for design lovers and Thule fans until September 2024.
European Football Championship in Germany
For football fans, the UEFA European Championship in Germany was the highlight of the year – a tournament that, in addition to sporting highlights, also underlined the importance of design in football. In an exclusive interview with Professor Dr. Peter Zec, this aspect was examined in more detail and the complex connection between football and design was highlighted. Football has long been more than just a game: it is a global phenomenon in which design becomes a stage for innovation, identity and emotion – an impressive example of how sport and creativity inspire each other.
Obituary Bruno Sacco
Not all events of this year were pleasing. In September, we had to say goodbye to Bruno Sacco (1933–2024), one of the most influential automotive designers of the postmodern era. For over four decades, he shaped the design of Mercedes-Benz and set standards in automotive history. As a charismatic head of design, he and his team were honoured as “Red Dot: Design Team of the Year” in 1994 and remained connected to the Red Dot world for many years – most recently as a jury member. With his vision of combining innovation and tradition, he leaves an extraordinary legacy that will remain unforgotten.
Red Dot Gala in Singapore
2024 was a special year for the Red Dot Award: Design Concept, as it saw a number of exciting premieres:
For the first time, the award ceremony took place at the Capitol Theatre in Singapore. Under the motto “We cannot predict the future, but we can create the future”, Peter Zec, Ken Koo and, for the first time, Jova Zec, who has been joining Red Dot as Vice President since 2024, hosted the evening.
The Red Dot: Peter Zec Prize, which honours the most convincing design concept of the Red Dot: Next Gen Award, was also awarded for the first time. The “Flytram” project, an innovative hybrid vehicle that combines tram and cable car functions, is the first design concept to be honoured with this newly introduced award.
The Red Dot: Luminary, the highest distinction in the competition, was awarded to the Ventete aH-1 bicycle helmet. The helmet uses an air system that allows it to fold to less than 3.5 cm. It can be inflated again in 30 seconds using a USB-C pump. It provides particularly good protection against rotational forces, which often lead to brain injuries. The helmet, developed under the direction of Colin Herperger, is the first departure from classic helmet materials in around 50 years.
The award ceremony ended with the presentation of the Winners’ Exhibition at the Red Dot Design Museum Singapore and an impressive view of Marina Bay.
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Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design 2024
In April 2024, the exhibition “World’s Best Communication Design 2023 and Highlights from NRW” opened at the Red Dot Design Museum. It showcased award-winning works from the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design 2023, which came from more than 20 countries – from books and commercials to apps and websites that illustrate the diversity of outstanding communication design. In 2023, North Rhine-Westphalia once again shone as a creative centre with winners such as Aldi, Deutsche Telekom, Grohe, Henkel, RTL and numerous agencies such as Interbrand, Elastique. or thjnk Düsseldorf. Around 50 award-winning works from the region showcased the creative excellence from North Rhine-Westphalia.
Jury session of the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design
24 jurors came together live for the evaluation of the entries, in order to consider and evaluate each project and each brand individually.
On the basis of various criteria and in consideration of their socio-cultural background, their professional focus and their design expertise, they decided which of the submitted designs and brands met the requirements for a Red Dot, a Red Dot: Best of the Best, a Red Dot: Grand Prix or a Red Dot: Brand of the Year.
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This year, the “Red Dot: Junior Prize” for young talent went to Chinese student Chuantao Zhu, who convinced the jury with his project “La Divina Commedia”. The book project, which contains more than 300 drawings and graphics, covers the topic of “desire” over 2,000 pages and is based on Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy”. “It is a fantastic piece of work when you consider the paper, the binding, the design itself, the layout and the microtypographic details,” said juror Thilo von Debschitz , describing the award-winning work.
Red Dot Gala at the Konzerthaus Berlin
On 1 November 2024, the festive award ceremony of the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design took place in the Konzerthaus Berlin. Guests from around 35 nations gathered to celebrate the year’s best work.
The presentation of the Red Dot: Grands Prix, the competition’s highest individual distinctions, provided excitement. In 2024, six outstanding projects were honoured with this award. These remained secret until the evening of the award ceremony. Professor Dr. Peter Zec moderated the event and, together with the jurors Irene Au, Réka Bucsi and Holger Windfuhr, presented the Red Dot trophies to the winners. Red Dot Vice President Jova Zec presented the Red Dot: Junior Prize to Chuantao Zhu. You can find all the winners here.
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PepsiCo Design and Innovation is Red Dot: Agency of the Year 2024
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the honorary title “Red Dot: Agency of the Year 2024” to PepsiCo Design and Innovation. For a decade, PepsiCo’s creative department has been inspiring with innovative and human-centred design solutions that not only impress aesthetically but also appeal functionally and emotionally. Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer of PepsiCo since 2012, has shaped the company’s global design philosophy with a strategic focus on empathy, creativity and sustainability.
He accepted the “Stylus” challenge cup from Thomas Clever, co-founder of CLEVER°FRANKE and last year’s title holder. Peter Zec had words of praise for the work of the design team: “The team’s strategic design approach combines empathy, sustainability and innovation in a remarkable way and is based on an in-depth understanding of consumer needs.”
The laudatory speech was held by the renowned architect Fabio Novembre, who praised the global impact and cultural relevance of the PepsiCo design team in his speech: “Since the team’s founding in 2012, PepsiCo Design has expanded from a single New York office to a global team across five continents, with 17 Design Hubs in cities like London, Shanghai, Sao Paolo, Mexico City, Istanbul and many more. The team includes more than 400 multidisciplinary creatives on the ground in every region of the world helping building brands with a deep understanding of local nuances. Designers are empowered to design and innovate for their own local cultures, resulting in authentic cultural relevance and pride.”
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Designers’ Night
The after-show party took place for the first time at the BRICKS Club Berlin, an exciting new setting that invited designers and guests from all over the world to celebrate. DJ Chrissi D set the mood, while the guests chatted over drinks and a flying buffet and celebrated the creative successes of the year until the early hours of the morning.
Special exhibition “Best Brands & Communication Design – Red Dot Winners Selection 2024”
On 2 November 2024, the vernissage of the special exhibition “Best Brands & Communication Design – Red Dot Winners Selection 2024” took place at the Museum of Communication in Berlin. The exhibition, which will be open until 12 January 2025, showcases 65 outstanding projects from the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design 2024. Visitors can discover an impressive variety of design works, including posters, advertising films, and innovative packaging designs.
International Yearbook Brands & Communication Design 2024/2025
On 18 November 2024, the 30th edition of the “International Yearbook Brands & Communication Design 2024/2025” was published – the standard work for communication design, which has been documenting the award-winning projects of the Red Dot Award since 1995. With over 700 award-winning works and exclusive insights into the creative processes of the “Best of the Best” winners, the yearbook reflects current trends and is also a valuable archive of design over time. “It is something like the manifestation of a design memory that makes the social significance of the industry visible to the outside world,” says Professor Dr. Peter Zec.
„Contemporary European Design – Awarded by Red Dot” at the Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen
On 29 October 2024, the special exhibition “Contemporary European Design – Awarded by Red Dot” was presented at the Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen. Until May 2025, the exhibition will showcase around 190 products that have been honoured in the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2023. All exhibits were developed or produced in Europe and represent 24 countries. The aim of the exhibition is to provide a comprehensive insight into the current state of European design, showcasing groundbreaking design trends and diverse styles from different nations.
The Red Dot Design Museum in Xiamen is the third museum, in addition to the headquarters in Essen and the museum in Singapore, dedicated to presenting award-winning designs. After moving within the Chinese port city, the museum was reopened on 28 November 2023 in the new business district of Xiamen, in the Jimei district.
Red Dot Dinner in Tokyo under the banner of collaboration and appreciation
In November, Professor Dr. Peter Zec and Kazuo Tanaka, juror, Red Dot Ambassador and President and CEO of the GK Design Group, hosted an exclusive dinner to promote the exchange of ideas about design, the design industry and their developments in Japan and at the international level. Guests included representatives of renowned companies such as Canon, Yamaha, Yamaha Motor, Seiko Epson, Olympus, Lixil, Daikin, Toto, Okamura, Panasonic and the Japan Industrial Designers Association (JIDA).
The evening served not only as a platform for cultural and professional dialogue, but also to honour the innovative strength and commitment of the companies that shape the Red Dot Design Award. The dinner in Tokyo was a further milestone in the deep-rooted partnership between Red Dot and Japan – a country whose unique combination of tradition and innovation has enriched the history of the award for decades.
Professor Dr. Peter Zec beim Seoul Design International Forum 2024: Die Stadt der Zukunft gestalten
On 27 November, Professor Dr. Peter Zec took part in the Seoul Design International Forum, which celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). Peter Zec is an honorary citizen of Seoul and has been a trusted advisor to the city’s mayor, Oh Se-Hoon, for many years. Together with the mayor and Craig Kiner from Zaha Hadid Architects, he reflected on the city’s impressive transformation since its appointment as “World Design Capital” in 2010.
Under the motto “Designing the City of the Future”, the forum highlighted the importance of visionary projects such as the DDP, which attracts visitors from around the world and serves as a cultural centre.
In his lecture “The Spirit of Success - Designing the Urban Quality of Life”, Zec emphasised how design can address social challenges such as climate change while also creating cultural and economic momentum. Seoul is exemplary of a city that combines tradition and modernity and uses these inspiring contrasts to shape a better, more innovative future.
Award-winning design from Taiwan
In December, Professor Dr. Peter Zec hosted an exclusive dinner in Taipei to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Taiwanese companies in the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024. Numerous innovative products from brands such as ASUS, GIGABYTE and Acer impressed in areas such as computer technology and sustainability. Zec emphasised the high level of creativity and quality in the Taiwanese design scene and underlined the importance of the long-standing partnership between Red Dot and Taiwan: “Meeting the talented designers and leading brands in person in their home country is a valuable experience for us, one that is enriching not only on a professional level but also on a human level.”
Special exhibition “Best of Austrian Design” at the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen
From 18 December 2024 to 9 February 2025, the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen will be showing the exhibition “Best of Austrian Design”, which presents award-winning design projects from Austria. The focus is on works that have been honoured with the Austrian State Prize for Design and the Austrian Interior Design Award. The exhibition highlights topics such as progressiveness, social relevance and sustainability and shows the added value of design in social and ecological terms. The aim is to raise awareness of outstanding Austrian design and increase its international visibility, while at the same time promoting Austria as a business location.
“We cannot predict the future - but we can create the future”
We look back on an inspiring year 2024 and thank our numerous guests who travelled to our events from all over the world and created a space for new ideas and inspiration through collective exchange. It is not only the individual idea that makes the difference, but the synergy that arises when people from different perspectives and cultures come together, share ideas and celebrate successes together. This commitment of the Red Dot design community, which we experience every year, reflects the guiding principle: “We cannot predict the future, but we can create the future.”
Outlook for 2025
Designers and companies from all over the world still have until 31 January 2025 to enter their best products for the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2025.
The Red Dot Gala will take place in Essen on 8 July 2025.
Registrations for the Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2025 are already open. The early bird phase will run until 22 January, the regular registration period will end on 12 March, and latecomers will be accepted until 30 April 2025.
The Red Dot Gala in Singapore will take place at the beginning of October 2025.
Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design
The registration phase for the international competition for brands and communication design will start in February 2025.
