design preis schweiz

On 4 February, we trekked to Cambridge for a visit to Design Preis Schweiz 2007, at swissnex Boston. Heidi Wegener, curator and head of the Design Award Switzerland, walked and talked us through the exhibit. Selected work needed to meet these criteria : top quality design, aesthetic consistency, social relevance, innovative vision, economic importance and sustainability. It had to be practical; it had to be designed by a Swiss person, or at least someone who has lived and worked in Switzerland. Much of the work was years in gestation; all of it was interesting. We spent the most time considering GECKO Adhesive Textiles (for direct application to glass surfaces — very interesting); the Ribcap combination cap and protective helmet; the Raptor avalanche shovel; Ruckstuhl's stripes carpet collection (incorporating wood strips, felt and rubber); Schoeller Textil's "Organic Tech" fabrics; and Martin Woodtli's five exhibition posters (2005) for the Museum fur Gestaltung Zurich (that won the "market" prize).

opening
reviews of nominees
San Francisco panel on the prize (via fora.tv)

We talked about the range of designs, the importance of marketing, "slow" gestation. The conversation briefly touched on how the higher prices associated with well crafted and longer-lasting goods can put them out reach of the normal person's wallet. In this context, mention was made of the aesthetics associated with the magazine (and website) Monocle.

We are grateful to Anina Koeppli-Hitz for reaching out and bringing us in.

Students are encouraged to share their thoughts/afterthoughts on this adventure, including works seen only in the printed catalog.