Red Dot Award: Product Design 2019

Red Dot award-winning brands at IFA 2019 in Berlin

Leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances

The most influential stakeholders on the market for consumer electronics and home appliances will convene from 6 to 11 September 2019 at the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) in Berlin. The leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances is a hub for the world’s best-known brands, most-respected purchasers and most-influential media. As a result, the trade fair is seen as pointing the way for innovations, the latest creations and current trends. The lasting mega trend once again this year is the progressing use of artificial intelligence (AI), which further improves the functioning and efficiency of many appliances. This is supplemented by enhanced connectivity and flexibility of the products. These and other developments are also clearly reflected in the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2019. The exhibitors at the IFA thus include numerous companies that were successful in the competition with their ground-breaking innovations. Discover below the award-winning products that won the highest distinction in the competition, the “Red Dot: Best of the Best”.

TVs are getting smart and flexible

In terms of consumer electronics, OLED TV “LG Signature R9” came out on top in the competition. Fitted with a next-generation processor, the visual and audio sources are considerably improved through artificial intelligence. For example, the aspect ratio can simply be adjusted to the content, with even a compact, elongated format possible. The TV also marks a significant step forward in the field of flexible displays. Its high-resolution screen can be unrolled and rolled up again conveniently after use, meaning that it can be placed anywhere in the room. “LG Signature R9” thus opens up additional new scenarios for use.

Extended vision thanks to virtual reality

The “ThinkReality A6” VR headset from Lenovo also provides a new way of seeing the world. It is ergonomic and exceptionally light to wear. The VR headset is driven by a mini-computer with a Snapdragon 845 chip worn at the waist. Fully fitted with sensors, it offers extended interaction possibilities using gestures and voice commands, allowing users to perform tasks hands-free in an interactive manner using the device.

A new generation of household appliances: able to learn and always connected

The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is also becoming evident in household appliances like robot vacuums, which are now well established in many households. “Roomba i7+” from iRobot Corporation can “learn” the floor plan of the living areas and adapt its actions accordingly. Equipped with innovative Imprint Smart Mapping technology, it can record up to ten different floor plans. The user can also precisely control which rooms have to be cleaned and when. In addition, the “i7+” offers full connectivity to Alexa-compatible devices and to Google Assistant. Users can use a simple voice command to give the robot a specific instruction to clean a certain room.

Design objects instead of “white goods”

What these and other products often have in common is their technical sophistication, self-explanatory nature and ease of use. This is also true of the washing machine from Panasonic’s Alpha series, developed in collaboration with Studio F. A. Porsche. It features a clear aesthetic and concisely defined functionality. Products like the “LG Signature Bottom Freezer” mark an additional development. The term “white goods” used over many years is being carried on ad absurdum through an innovative design. More often than not, the appliances are real design objects that feature excellent design and high-quality, refined materials.

Other Red Dot: Best of the Best winners in the industry:

You can find all of the award-winning consumer electronics in our online exhibition.  

Red Dot Award: Product Design 2020

Consumers, designers and manufacturers can find out the names of the winners of the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2020 in March of next year. Products can be entered in the competition from 14 October 2019 and be in with a chance of winning the sought-after distinction “Red Dot”. We are already wondering what ground-breaking innovations companies will come up with to win over next year’s Red Dot Jury.