Design Contest: Pininfarina Student Awards 2006
Mon, 26 Feb 2007
In conjunction with Pininfarina Deutschland and VDC Fellbach, the Society for the Advancement of Architecture, Engineering and Design in Stuttgart (AED) awarded prizes to up-and-coming young designers as part of a competition that made its debut last year. The Pininfarina Student Award represents a platform intended to make entering professional life easier by offering internships at prominent design companies for successful entrants. In 2006 the Pininfarina prize was awarded in the following categories:
- Building Design (Architecture & Engineering)- Transportation Design (Cars and Vehicles)
- Industrial Design (Industry and Product Design)
All students and graduates at schools in Germany who were not older than 28 at the time of submission could participate. In each category there was one winner who received Euro 1000, as well as the opportunity to do a six month internship at one of the companies that support the competition. Judges included: Markus Baehner and Rainer Kuehne (Pininfarina), Olaf Barski (Barski Design), Peter Birtwhistle (Mazda), Matthias Kulla (Porsche AG) and Tom Schoenherr (Phoenix Design).
Building Design
First prize for Building Design went to Stefanie Hickl, Simon Schleicher and Thomas Quisinsky. The Stuttgart University students proposed a velodrome for the 2012 Olympic games to be held in London, UK, which is 'characterised by a succinct aesthetic in both concept and graphic presentation.' The jury also praised an excellent model, the work further distinguished by 'the unusual depth in which it takes into account urban-planning and structural considerations, as well as by its attention to the climate concept and the details of the design.' The three commendations in the Building Design category went to projects 'off-shore', 'vacuum@tension' and a proposal for the Olympic Stadium London 2012.
Transportation Design
Arnold Freidling collected the transportation design award for his sailing boat, Explorius, which uses a hydrofoil to improve performance. Described by the judges as a thoroughly professional piece of work, the design convinced through a clean aesthetic borne of a single focus and personal interest, aided by strong renderings of a well-styled form.
Skakat is a rescue boat that earned designer Bjorn Wehrli a commendation, who, like Freidling, is from the HBK Braunschweig school. Wehrli was praised for clearly showing the evolution of his boat, which 'attested not only to a multiplicity of ideas, but also to a serious examination of the project.' Further praise was garnered by 'Revolvient' by Lucas Reichnel, a student of BTU Cottbus. According to the press release, 'Revolvient represents an audacious idea, which catches your eye thanks to its unusual presentation and complex treatment. The graphics arouse excitement and expectation, and make you curious for more details' - which were curiously not mentioned. Other silver medals were picked up by Axel Schindback's Mobian 'Hot Sled' and 'Cargo floater' by Oliver Hubertus.
Industrial Design
In Industrial Design, Braunschweig College student Luigi Trabucco won for 'Manea', an interactive training device for the 'silver generation'. The design work was based on comprehensive research, which was thoroughly documented. The clear form language of the product design, in conjunction with an intelligent interface design, convinced the members of the jury. High user-friendliness, the design of the graphical elements and effective achievement of the ergonomic requirements were the decisive factors in this product's selection as a prize-winner - though what the device trained its user in was not mentioned.
Other interesting projects included Dentascope by Fabian Benedikter and David Hauser, which as the name suggests, is for dentists to look at teeth through. The reduction of materials and weight balance impressed the jury most, and is made use of Bayer-developed Technogel, as used by Fila and on the Rinspeed ZaZen concept. Calango is a simple vehicle for children, constructed of a steel frame mounted on three wheels with a curved plywood surface. As with skateboards, it is turned by redistributed weight.
'Omas Rache' (Grandma's Revenge) is a compact kitchen by Iija Oelschlaegel and Melanie Olla. In its folded-up condition, the design captures through its clear graphical language - but relegating issues included the technical application of the table and seats, and the reduction in cupboard volume. Dorothee Krause provided the concluding commendation, a table-top coffee-machine. The horizontal alignment gives it a different character to rivals, the controls simply and clearly arranged, though the judges commented that an innovative control concept would have increased the value of the design.
Pininfarina Deutschland is part of the Pininfarina group, which has been creating vehicle-based projects as a partner of the automobile industry for more than 75 years. The company's 3,000 or so employees work in the areas design, product and process development, as well as in the production of niche vehicles. The scope of projects ranges from the creation of vehicle designs, to CAD-supported development, to the simulation and testing phases, and right up to the vehicles production. The aed is an institution founded by Stuttgart-based engineers, architects and designers.
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