Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design

Red Dot: Grand Prix 2019 – Dot Translate

Red Dot: Grand Prix 2019 – Award for intelligent translation system "Dot Translate”

The 285 million blind and visually impaired people in the world have very limited access to written knowledge, because only every 33rd book is available in the tactile embossed printing, Braille. The innovative device "Dot Mini" independently translates digital texts and data into Braille, making knowledge much more accessible to the blind and visually impaired.

In 2019, the translation tool was awarded together with the accompanying website, with the highest distinction in the "Communication Design" section of the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design, the Red Dot: Grand Prix. The work, to which this distinction is awarded, is characterised by exceptional creativity and design quality. The Red Dot: Grand Prix is awarded to a maximum of one entry per category. The German agency Serviceplan and the company Dot Incorporation from South Korea, for whom the website was designed and who manufactures the device, were delighted to receive the award.

Digital Innovation

The award-winning website features Dot Mini - the first smart device that can intelligently access all digital text content from websites, books, magazines, audio files and even movies, transforming it into haptic information and making it tangible. Through innovative AI-based dot translation technology, the device understands the context of words and efficiently translates them into Level 2 Braille, the most taught and used Braille.

Dot Mini allows you to load content from a SD card and connect directly to other devices via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB and HDMI. In addition, the innovative translation tool offers additional audio support beyond Braille for even faster perception of the desired content.

Minimalist design

The Red Dot Jury is convinced of the innovation and design of the entry, which is why they awarded it the Red Dot: Grand Prix. The jurors explain their decision as follows: "The device is a huge milestone for visually impaired people, the device supports both self-reliance and inclusion – and, what is more, it even gives users the freedom to experience content in any way they like. The design is kept minimalist to decisively reflect the quality and novelty of this innovation.”

Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication 2020

From 24 February to 5 June 2020, designers, agencies and companies are invited to enter their brands and creative works in the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design. In the "Brands" section, they can choose from 36 industries within which to apply for the "Red Dot: Brand of the Year" award. Creative projects are submitted in 17 different categories in the "Communication Design" section. The winners of the Red Dot: Grand Prix 2020 will be announced on stage during the Red Dot Gala on 23 October.

The participation phases:

  • Early Bird: 24 February - 18 March 2020
  • Regular: 19 March - 13 May 2020
  • Latecomer: 14 May - 5 June 2020
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