From a reshaped piano to a two-way oven for small kitchens, these are winning designs we want  

GOOD design has the power to transform lives. For a preview of what could come tomorrow, one should take a look at this year’s Red Dot Award: Design Concept winners.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the award has become a globally coveted mark of design excellence, focusing on identifying new design concepts and innovations. Open to both students and professional designers, entries come from varying stages of development, from concepts and prototypes to almost or fully developed products that are launch-ready.

They are then judged by a jury panel comprising 29 international design experts from various disciplines.

The Red Dot award honours the best works in a category – such as products for doing, living, working or communication – with a “Red Dot: Best of the Best” accolade. It is from these winners that the highest achievement, the Red Dot: Luminary, is selected.

This year, the Red Dot: Next Gen Award was introduced for projects by young designers under the age of 30. The most convincing design concept among these is presented the Red Dot: Peter Zec Prize, a counterpart of the Red Dot: Luminary.

Peter Zec, founder and chief executive officer of the Red Dot Award, says: “Design concepts are mental experiments and sometimes, small things can make a big difference.

“The future depends on today’s creatives and their visions. Therefore, it is important to support existing talents and empower them to fully flourish.”

The winners from all over the world attended the award ceremony at the Capitol Theatre last Thursday (Oct 10).

Here is a taste of some of our favourites and what could land in the market in future:

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Ventete aH-1 Cycle Helmet by Ventete, United Kingdom

Red Dot: Luminary

What is better than a bicycle helmet that protects your head? One that’s not bulky and can be easily carried around, of course.

It was based on this simple idea that Ventete’s aH-1 Cycle Helmet was created. By replacing foam with air, the helmet is inflatable and micro-collapsible, folding like a piece of origami to fit in your pocket. This was the first significant divergence from conventional helmet materials in 50 years.

The aH-1 offers three key advantages. The first is convenience. Built on a pneumatic structural system with 15 global patents, it deflates to under 3.5 cm in size – smaller than a laptop and easily portable. It includes a small USB-C pump for inflation in about 30 seconds.

Secondly, it offers thermal comfort as its chambered design rests lightly on the head, promoting continuous airflow. And unlike foam helmets, its pneumatic structure efficiently dissipates heat. In fact, tests at EMPA (the Swiss Federal Lab for Material Science) show the aH-1’s cooling performance is superior to foam helmets, matching the cooling effect of riding bare-headed.

Finally, the Swiss-produced helmet was developed over nearly a decade by architects and engineers and safety-certified to European standards. Independent research at HeadLab of the Imperial College, London found that the helmet offers enhanced protection against rotational impacts – the leading cause of brain injury in accidents.

No wonder the aH-1, which is ready for market, clinched this year’s Red Dot: Luminary award, the highest achievement at the competition. We won’t be surprised if future cycle helmets all look like this – copycats included.

Flytram by Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Hungary

Red Dot: Peter Zec Prize

We are familiar with hybrid automobiles – cars powered by a petrol engine and electric motor – but the Flytram is a different sort of hybrid vehicle. It is an alternative, efficient form of urban transport that combines tram and cable car features by leveraging existing infrastructure and cheaply deployable ropeways.

This hybrid vehicle minimises transfers and costs as the passenger cabin can be automatically connected to an autonomous rail bogie or a ropeway gondola arm at interchange stations, allowing for seamless transitions. This reduces inconvenience and extends networks to less-accessible areas.

Instead of the traditional train and tram aesthetics, the design favours a sleek, consumer electronics-inspired look. The cabins accommodate 36 passengers (16 seated, 20 standing) and includes spaces for wheelchairs or prams. Side displays indicate the level of occupancy in the cabins, while barrier-free central areas and informative displays enhance the passenger experience and provide advertising opportunities.

Created by designer Botond Levente Kiss, the Flytram took the inaugural Red Dot: Peter Zec Prize – the counterpart of the Red Dot: Luminary award – for being the most convincing design concept among the Red Dot: Next Gen Award winners for projects by young designers under 30.

This leaves us with just one question: Could this innovative solution to smoother urban traffic flow work here?

Ravenchord Piano by Whipsaw, United States

Red Dot: Best of the Best

The concept for this thing of beauty emerged when its designer, Dan Harden, while listening to classical music, visualised how each instrument in the orchestra had a unique appearance derived from its method of sound production. Unlike other instruments, however, traditional pianos hide their workings, position the pianist sideways to the audience and do not project sound directly to listeners.

It is this idea of liberating the piano’s mechanics by revealing its inner workings and allowing its functions to be more expressive that the Ravenchord was born. With it, all functional elements – similar to a guitar or harp – are exposed, so people can observe and appreciate the music creation process. Pianists face the audience, so their emotion and passion are seen. And unlike in traditional pianos, the sound is projected head-on, even as the instrument allows a visual appreciation of the piano’s rich identity.

The Ravenchord’s compact spiral form follows a logical string layout, with short treble strings arranged vertically on the left, progressively growing into long horizontal bass strings on the right. The ergonomics are ideal, featuring a standard 88-key layout and three pedals positioned and sized identically to a traditional piano, ensuring no learning curve for users. It is also lighter and more adaptable to various spaces with its thin, vertical body.

And of course, it is a truly gorgeous looking piece of musical instrument, resembling the wing of a bird in flight. What’s not to like?

Saloon by Honda Motor, Japan

Red Dot: Best of the Best

Sleek and futuristic-looking, Honda’s 0 Series is an electric vehicle (EV) that aims to overturn the conventional image of cars being “thick and heavy”. The series, which the Japanese brand anticipates will come out in the late 2020s, includes the flagship concept model, Saloon.

Saloon embodies the principles of “thin, light and wise”, and aims for carbon neutrality and “zero traffic-collision fatalities”. By leveraging EV architecture for design freedom, the model elevates the “Man Maximum/Machine Minimum” principle. With a low height and sporty styling, the Saloon combines visual appeal with a spacious and practical interior.

A simple, intuitive human-machine interface on the instrument panel ensures excellent visibility and seamless user experience, making driving safer and more efficient while enhancing the driver’s experience. The adoption of steer-by-wire and Honda’s advanced motion-management system, based on technologies developed through Honda’s robotics, enables precise control under various driving conditions.

By combining the low-height styling of the 0 Series with a full range of aerodynamic technologies honed in motorsports, the Saloon harmonises dynamic and aerodynamic performance and design. Sustainable materials are used for both the interior and exterior, creating a model that resonates with both users and the environment.

Can’t wait to see it on the roads in future.

Dwo by Dogma Design, Colombia

Red Dot: Best of the Best

Reducing kitchen clutter and giving the home cook the most out of a single cooking appliance – this is what Dwo does.

This stylish-looking oven offers dual-position functionality, transforming from a countertop-saving, slim multi-cooker when placed upright, to a spacious convection oven with a larger capacity when laid horizontally.

To enable usage in both positions, Dwo features versatile convection trays and a double-door system. In its upright position, it has a small footprint and functions as a multi-cooker and multi-layer oven, enabling efficient meal preparation. When additional oven capacity is required for large pizzas or baking, Dwo easily tilts horizontally to expand the cooking space without the need for extra appliances or complex mechanisms.

Adaptable to various cooking needs, Dwo’s convection technology – with a triple fan and efficient heating system – ensures uniform airflow. When upright, it offers an additional heating surface at its base for moisture-rich cooking, making it ideal for rice or pasta. The steam generated in this mode enhances the flavour and texture of food on the upper convection trays. For ease of use, Dwo includes a single navigation knob, integrated side handles and a front roller to facilitate tilting.

Given the shrinking sizes of kitchens these days, this two-way compact oven can’t come too soon.

900 mm Wide Dishwasher by Foshan Shunde Midea Washing Appliances Mfg, China

Red Dot: Best of the Best

For those of us who have complained about how dishwashers are not made to hold bowls or the large pots and pans used in Asian cooking, this could be the solution to our woes.

The 900 mm Wide Dishwasher offers a high loading capacity while occupying minimal vertical space. Its versatile partition design optimises loading and fits under counters or stoves in compact kitchens.

The dishwasher features an innovative mechanism that flexibly folds and transforms the dish rack, freeing up internal space for large woks and stockpots. This system also adapts to tall cups, making it compatible with both Chinese and Western tableware and ensuring an optimal loading experience.

Its intuitive partition layout reduces the learning curve for users, with sections for cups, small bowls and plates and for pots and large plates. Combined with AI sensing technology, it enables targeted washing of greasy utensils and delicate cleaning for valuable kitchenware.

The dishwasher also comes with an automatic dispensing system – aided by AI sensing technology to ensure precise dispensing – eliminating the need to manually add detergent and rinse aid.

This one’s ready for market and we’d like to pre-order one, please.

Cornice Box Air Conditioner by Hisense Industrial Design Center, China

Red Dot: Best of the Best

This is one to consider if you’re after a minimalistic air conditioner that blends into your home interiors.

A ceiling-installed concept, it resembles a cornice and can also conceal curtain rods to enhance the room’s aesthetics. This slim air conditioner features a central cooling unit flanked by two side panels made of extruded plastic, creating a cohesive design that integrates seamlessly with existing decor.

The product is easy to install to achieve a built-in look, with its pipes and wires concealed. Its high efficiency reduces electricity consumption and optimises wind direction to ensure long-distance air supply without blowing directly on users. Environmental sustainability is kept in mind with reduced dimensions and usage of materials. By avoiding the use of paint and glue, it also minimises environmental pollution.

Integrated Loop Stove by Vatti Corporation, China

Red Dot: Best of the Best

Say goodbye to messy clean ups with this stove that applies a user-centric approach prioritising both functionality and style.

The Integrated Loop Stove addresses the complexities and cleaning difficulties of traditional stoves by merging the burner and pot bracket into a single module. This design reduces manufacturing materials and processes by minimising extraneous elements that trap dirt and grime in hard-to-clean gaps.

Users can easily lift the integrated module for cleaning, avoiding the hassle of removing multiple components. The hidden igniter prevents dirt accumulation, ensuring easy maintenance and preventing accidental stalling.

The annular module design confines heat to the combustion area, enhancing thermal efficiency and reducing heat exposure to users. For ease of use, the stove combines a magnetic knob with a touch panel. The knob adjusts firepower under normal conditions and slides to activate timer mode, resulting in a clean panel without susceptibility to liquid-induced failures.

Its practical design aside, the stove comes in an elegant form to suit modern kitchen aesthetics. Could these be the stove rings to rule them all?

All award-winning design concepts are showcased at the Red Dot Award: Design Concept winners’ exhibition at the Red Dot Design Museum and on www.red-dot.org