The current figures of the red dot award: product design 2007 reflect the growing significance of high-quality design. After 2,068 entries in 2006, the competition registered the record number of 2,548 entries from a total of 43 countries this year. And the design promotion of the competition, which every year elevates current products from the masses based on criteria of design and function, is taking effect: the design quality of the products has increased strongly in all areas; design is an important selling factor. In the face of this overall increase in design quality the international jury was able to award the ‘red dot’ quality seal for good design 623 times. 43 products were awarded a red dot: best of the best, the highest distinction of the competition, for their pioneering design and special innovations.

“It has been particularly noticeable that China and Taiwan are becoming stronger every year. They are no longer satisfied with the role of an extended workbench of the western industrial nations, but have begun to create excellent design themselves.” This design boom was particularly noticeable in the product categories ‘Media and home electronics’ and ‘Computers and accessories’, which were clearly dominated by the Asian manufacturers" stated Prof. Dr. Peter Zec, initiator of the red dot design award and president of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid). “The increase in quality by original design concepts from Asian manufacturers proves the growing strategic importance of design as a competition factor in the age of globalisation; design can be characterised as the central driving force behind innovations in the industry.”

Honorary gala: the awards presentation
The festive awards presentation in front of more than 1,000 guests will take place on 25 June 2007 in the Essen Opera House, the Aalto Theatre.

Special exhibition in the red dot design museum
The award-winning products will be presented in the special exhibition ‘Design on stage – winners red dot award: product design 2007’ in the Essen red dot design museum on the premises of the world cultural heritage site ‘Zeche Zollverein’ from 26 June to 23 July 2007. With its more than 1,000 products on more than 4,000 square metres, the red dot design museum houses the largest permanent exhibition of contemporary design.

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Facts and figures of the red dot award: product design 2007

Trend spots of the red dot award: product design 2007
Find out more about the latest trends spotted at the red dot award: product design 2007 in:

• Household and kitchen
• Automobile and traffic
• Computer, media and home electronics
• Bathrooms and sanitary facilities
• Living and sleeping
• Fashion, jewellery, luxury articles
• Industry and trade
  

Download the complete list of winners from www.red-dot.de/press

For photo material and further information please contact:
Astrid Sprenger
Press and Public Relations
Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen
Phone +49 (0)201-30 10 4-33
Fax +49 (0)201-30 10 4-44
Email:
www.red-dot.de