The internationally renowned Red Dot Award: Product Design has started a new round of the competition. New for this year's edition, Red Dot is expanding the assessment spectrum to include the meta-category “Sustainable Design” focussing on sustainable and responsible product design.
In the “Sustainable Design” meta-category, durable, adaptable, and material- and energy-efficient products, or products made from renewable and recyclable raw materials, for example, can be entered from all sectors.
As part of the judging process, all submissions will first be evaluated holistically and then, in a second round, by the Red Dot jury with regard to the following specific characteristics:
Durable, evolving, and adaptable products
Durable and high-quality product designs offer greater benefits as they rarely need to be replaced and can be passed on. Designs that grow with children, for example, adapt to their developmental stages and can therefore be used for longer, are in contrast to fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Multifunctional products can be used flexibly and reduce the consumption of individual, specialised items.
Material and energy-efficient construction
“Less is more!” was once propagated by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, whose validity applies not only to minimalist design, and the reduction of complexity in the use of things, but also to material and energy-efficient construction. So less is also more if the design and construction of products can also save material and energy and reduce the burden on the environment.
Renewable and recyclable raw materials
Designers and companies are also responsible for the decision to include renewable and recyclable raw materials in the design, as the choice of raw and other materials determines whether a product can be recycled at the end of its life cycle.
Repairable and recyclable products
Designers and companies have a decisive influence on whether products can be repaired or recycled in order to extend their service life and reduce their environmental impact. Repairability and recyclability give consumers the opportunity to act more sustainably. These principles are already important in the design process.
Sustainability also applies to packaging and shipping
In addition to the product itself, the packaging also plays a role: intelligent design that reduces packaging material or optimises transport also protects the environment.
