Hasta La Ideas

With a record number of submissions from 73 nations, designers answered the challenge “Genius design for a better everyday.” The BraunPrize 2012 embraces the increased relevance of well-designed products that help improve all aspects of everyday life. With most people’s daily challenges becoming increasingly complex and demanding, we rely on ubiquitous technology, highly connected social structures and our ability to cope with a fast, 24/7 lifestyle.

Our everyday has become an artificial environment of architecture and technology and while it seems that the quantity of products around us is consistently increasing, their level of quality is not. We have surrounded ourselves by many things we don´t really value, instead of focusing on fewer but better solutions to help us live our lives. With this in mind, the BraunPrize 2012 is looking for ingenious solutions and product ideas to make our everyday a better place.

Established in 1968, the BraunPrize was Germany’s first international design prize. It was originally introduced by Erwin Braun, son of Braun founder Max Braun, and the goal was to stimulate public debate about design, “during a time when understanding and awareness of design and its positive benefits were largely unknown.” This year’s program was juried by Oliver Grabes (Head of Braun Design and Core77 Design Awards Consumer Products Jury Captain), Naoto Fukasawa (Founder of Naoto Fukasawa Design), Jane Fulton Suri (Managing Partner and Creative Director at IDEO), Anne Bergner (BraunPrize Winner 1999 and Design Consultant) and Dirk Freund (Director R&D, Global Braun).

Core77 was invited to be part of a special jury team of 80 guest jurors for the 2012 BraunPrize ceremony to help determine the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners of this year’s program. After hearing three professional/enthusiast and three student teams present their projects, the international group of guest jurors voted to decide this year’s winners.

There were six Global Winners: Gold, Silver, Bronze in two categories, three Sustainability Award Winners: two Students and one Professional & Enthusiast, 30 National Winners and 20 Special Mentions with projects addressing challenges in mobility, clean energy, personal expression, safety and environmental sustainability.

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