Norwegian design group awarded First Prize at Designers Open in Germany
A group of 10 Norwegian design students from the 4 National state owned design education institutions were awarded First Prize during the design fair Designers Open in Leipzig in Germany. Two of the team members were BA students of Design Martin Larsen and Martin Rygner from Bergen National Academy of the Arts.
The design fair "Designers Open 2011" was held 28-30 October 2011 in the German city Leipzig, and the winning concept from the group; "Look to Norway", won the "Jury Award 2011".
Diverse range of products
The jury's choice of "Look To Norway" was based on the stand's
diverse range of products, ranging from interaction design to
traditional crafts. The jury also states that the stand presents
everything design represents. According to the jury "Look to
Norway" presented excellent graphic design as well as good
prototypes, and the project's comprehensive, broad and highly
characteristic design justified its position as winner of Designers
Open 2011.
"Look to Norway" consists of 10 design students from the four National design institutions in Norway: Oslo and Bergen National Academy of the Arts, Oslo and Akershus University College and the Oslo School of Architecture and Design. The concept is an effort to link the creative minds of the various design educations in Norway. The project is initiated and implemented by the design students alone. 9 product designers and 1 graphic designer teamed up to create a stand introducing the diversity and energy in an emerging Norwegian design environment. "Look to Norway" is the first independent and self-sustained project of its kind, and intended to create a good learning experience for its participants.
The Festival
This year's Designers Open Design Festival 2011 had record
attendance, with more than 10.500 visitors. The festival was held
in an old cotton factory. DO is an annual event occurring at
different venues in Leipzig. This confirms that the festival is in
constant development in a city with an exciting and rich cultural
scene. The design festival DO presents furniture, fashion design,
industry, product design, industrial design and art projects.
Prototypes
"Look to Norway" presented 10 prototypes. Their stand at the fair
offered a comprehensive solution by including a graphic designer.
In spite of their diverse backgrounds and expressions the students
share the joy of maintaining the simplicity, craftsmanship and
quality characteristics of Scandinavian design, while also
expanding the concept. They share a common desire to create and
design products that promote Norway.
The participants have been represented at several major design fairs in Europe; Salone Satellite in Milan, 100% Norway in London, Stockholm Furniture Fair in Sweden and Euro Design Exhibition in Düsseldorf.
