The Design Center Baden-Württemberg has opened the call for submissions for the 2023 edition of its Focus Open International Design Award. As a non-commercial design prize, the Focus Open offers particularly low barriers to participation thanks to its moderate fees, while providing a high level of visibility from which, in the event of an award, smaller agencies, design studios and companies, in particular, can benefit. Entries can be submitted in a total of 14 categories including Bathroom, Kitchen, Light, Mobility, Investment products, Sport and Mobility.
Transparent criteria
The Focus Open awards are initially presented in three categories: Gold, Silver and Special Mention. In addition, the special Focus META prize is awarded to solutions that display an inspiring character in terms of addressing current social, technological, economic or ecological issues in an interdisciplinary way, covering areas such as sustainable design, universal design, form innovations or design strategies. From the entrant's point of view, the true benefit of the award lies in the high degree of public attention that comes with winning. The Design Center Baden-Württemberg ensures this in the form of a high-quality internationally distributed yearbook, social media communication with a broad reach as well as a quarterly exhibition. This year, the award ceremony and exhibition will be hosted at the Haus der Wirtschaft Baden-Württemberg in Stuttgart.
The number of prizes that are ultimately awarded in each category depends entirely on the judgement of the jury members. For more than 30 years, the award has focused on independent evaluation, by a jury of six that is newly formed annually, and which is itself anchored in practice. Each individual submission is put to the test on the basis of transparently communicated criteria. These include aspects such as design quality, level of innovation, ergonomics and usability, as well as aesthetic considerations and the digital intelligence of the product.
Leading by example
A look at some of last year's award winners include, for example, a firefighter's helmet by the Linz-based design studio Formquadrat for Rosenbauer International, which received the Focus GOLD Award for its successful combination of functionality and emotionality, according to the jury's statement.
Honoring those people who put themselves in dangerous situations for the safety of others, the relatively light ‘Heros H30’ helmet pays tribute to them, but also has functional expansion options in addition to high stability and ergonomic benefits. A helmet lamp, a thermal imaging camera or a breathing mask can be added without tools, while the red position light, which is integrated into the back, is a new development.
Another gold award went to the long-haul aircraft seat by Recaro. The Schwäbisch Hall company succeeded in making it 10 to 15 per cent lighter than existing seats (depending on the specific format), thus helping to reduce CO2 emissions by large amounts, while also optimizing comfort. The jury awarded one of a total of 18 Focus SILVER awards to Kuckoo Camper's Bruno mini camper, praising, in particular, its lightweight construction from sturdy plywood. This lends a harmonious look to the product's detailing, while at the same time creating a pleasant indoor climate.
The 2022 Focus META prize was awarded to the Urbanharbor transformation concept by Stuttgart architects SFP for Maxmaier Urbandevelopment in Ludwigsburg, in which flexible office modules that included an integrative energy system for climate-neutrality and sustainability were created in a disused production hall.
All information on the competition, including other award-winning design solutions from the Focus Open 2022, can be found here.
