The hybrid adjudication process
This year posed a very specific challenge for the 50 international jurors for the Red Dot Award: Product Design, as it was the first time they could not come together in person in Essen. A hybrid solution was used to ensure the high quality standard of the evaluation process. Part of this process involved video conferences with the jury members where the products submitted were presented in detail and tested in front of the camera.
Interviews with the Red Dot Jury about the award-winning products
In addition to the award-winning entries, the Red Dot Design Yearbook 2021/22 also presents the jury for the Red Dot Award: Product Design in detail. Each of the 50 jurors selected a product for the publication that he or she particularly liked. In interviews with Red Dot, the experts explain why the objects received a distinction. A selection:
Rüdiger Bucher talks about the Unomat wristwatch from MeisterSinger
Red Dot: What concept of time is inherent in the Unomat mechanical wristwatch?
Rüdiger Bucher: As the one-hand watches of the “MeisterSinger” brand do not allow for a precise reading of time, their more relaxed, contemplative concept of time contrasts with our hectic, everyday life. These watches are not for people who want to plan everything down to the second, but rather for those who want to be a bit more independent of the pressure that time can exert. Furthermore, the lone hand is so oversized and dominant that it draws attention to the concept behind it. Those who are used to consulting their watches for the exact time will inevitably be guided in another direction and to a different attitude towards time.
Which of the four design qualities — function, seduction, use, sustainability — are particularly pronounced in the chosen watch?
Seduction stands out, namely in a playful, cryptic way. What “seduces” is the idea behind the watch: not allowing oneself to be rushed, not to count the seconds. Yet this timepiece is nonetheless made to a very high standard, in this case even featuring an inner casing of soft iron which offers protection from disruptive magnetic fields, something that ironically aids precision!
Dr. Luisa Bocchietto speaks about the Illan pendant luminaire from Luceplan
Red Dot: What was the determining factor when deciding to award the Illan suspension lamp a Red Dot: Best of the Best?
Luisa Bocchietto: The lightness of the materials and the reduced material input in the production are important factors for me in defining the quality of a contemporary object. Today, more than ever, these concepts align with the need to cut down on waste and optimise the result through design. This product is an excellent interpretation of sustainability applied to the design sector. The product also stands out for its aesthetic quality and strong identity. It manages to integrate functionality, aesthetic quality, sustainability and seduction – thanks to a careful use of material, the innovative use of form and, finally, by also responding to functional needs.
Which challenge did the designer address particularly well?
I think that the sensitivity used in pursuing sustainability throughout the design process is particularly important and appreciable. I believe that these criteria are indispensable today. I congratulate the designer on the result that is also convincing on an aesthetic and functional level. Seeking sustainability does not mean giving up on achieving excellent aesthetics and functional results – and she has succeeded. A great example of good contemporary design!
Martin Darbyshire talks about the Philips Ultinon Pro9000 car headlight bulb
Red Dot: Why did you choose the Philips Ultinon Pro9000 headlight bulb specifically? What makes it stand out?
Martin Darbyshire: It is rare to see a case where industrial design has interlinked with engineering in a symbiotic way. The Philips Ultinon Pro9000 headlight bulb has reached a pinnacle in my view. From the subtle curvature of the heatsink blades that increase the surface area and connect directly to the integrated fan, to the subtle tapering in the shape of the body flowing down into the detailed micro features of the LED bulb.
Which of the following four design qualities – function, seduction, use, responsibility – are particularly pronounced in this car lighting?
The unibody form, screwless attachment and extended lighting performance meld function with sustainability in a well-balanced way. This product is highly purposeful but also, at the same time, beautifully elegant.
Which challenge did the design address particularly well?
The quality of the design execution immediately attracted me. The design solution combines extremely high performance with an essential and intrinsic beauty. This is the essence of good design: not different for difference’s sake, but genuinely better.
You can find all of the interviews in the Red Dot Design Yearbook 2021/22.
