AfterTek

German manufacturer Siedle has taken away prizes in three important design competitions for its new in-house telephones. Within a few weeks, it won the red dot design award, the iF product design award, and the Innovation and Design Award at the Milan LivinLuce-EnerMotive trade fair.

In two of the competitions, the Siedle telephones made it among the elite of the prize-winners: in the red dot design award, they received the rating “best of the best”, while at LivinLuce they made it to the “Top Selection Design”. These honours are reserved for supreme products, like the Executone phone with a design that the experts on the jury not only regard as inspired but also as pointing the way to the future.

The judges are not only guided by the superficial beautiful exteriors. Examples of other assessment criteria used in the competitions are quality of styling, workmanship, material selection, level of innovation, environmental compatibility, ergonomics, safety and universal design. The universal design category is used to describe a style that is directed towards simple, safe and intuitive operation, hence also suitability for elderly users.

This operating safety is one of the key features of Siedle telephones. Another is the high level of individualisation for the devices, which thanks to the choice of twelve materials and surface finishes can be adapted to personal preferences and furnishing styles.

The verdict from the high-ranking members of the jury confirms the concept of Siedle head of design Eberhard Meurer who has pursued radical new paths both in terms of the previous models and also in the competition. The origin of this design concept lies in the aim of allowing the greatest possible level of individuality with a large number of surfaces and colours. Mere painting or foil laminating was out of the question.

The quality of the product was to be expressed by the authenticity of the material. Siedle therefore developed a double panelling that can be made of stainless steel, aluminium or precious wood veneer. This shapes the effect and character of the product. In contrast, the body between should play a minor role and is therefore either translucent or kept as neutral as possible. With a view to ergonomic operation, the design consciously resists the trend towards miniaturisation. It is oriented towards physiological requirements. Receiver, buttons, monitors and inscription fields are designed to ensure that they can be used easily and safely.