May 23rd 2017 // Interzum 2017 X 8. Vdid Newcomers’ Award

How do we live tomorrow? We checked out the newest trend for future living spaces in Cologne. With all industry leader exhibiting, Interzum is one of the most important fairs for furniture and interior. Of course, Eckstein Design was also part of it with an exciting and versatile stand. This year the focus was on material and technology as well as new design approaches. New products are ranging from fittings, glass and light to surfaces, patterns and up to new innovative, ecological materials. Furthermore, the fair is focusing on megatrends like sustainability, mobility and digitization.

During the Interzum, the jury of the 8th VDID NEWCOMERS’ AWARD made its decision. Stefan Eckstein as part of the jury has judged all entries from 33 universities and named four winners. The jurors were happy about the quality of all entries, they all stand up and take responsibilities for the topics they have chosen. Concepts which were using new technologies in complex context convinced the Jury this year.
The VDID NEWCOMERS’ AWARD honours the projects of young and ambitious product-/industrial designers and offers them support to start a career successfully.

The Munich Creative Business Week (MCBW), Germany's largest design event, attracts thousands of visitors from around the world to the "Isarmetropole" from 4th to 12th March. The exhibition theme for 2017 is: "Design Connects - The Smart Revolution". Eckstein Design and designers of the VDID organized an exhibition on the theme "A Work Show for Form and Function with Sense and Emotions" at the Wittelsbacher Platz at USM, where visitors can access the advanced technologies with all their senses. The VDID designers stand for exceptionally innovative and inspiring industrial and product design, which determines the function and the malfunction, the relationship to products, brand and brand experience. If the design fits, it brings together different impulses to a larger whole.

USM and the VDID organized a panel discussion on the topic "Designed in Bavaria - Design and Future" on the occasion of this year's MCBW on March 9th,
In the USM showroom many invited guests came. On the podium, Dr. Andrea Niedzela-Schmutte from the Bavarian Ministry of State, Dr. Kilian Steiner (Bavarian Design), Prof. Peter Naumann (Deputy VDID Chairman, Munich University of Applied Sciences), Stefan Eckstein (owner Eckstein Design and VDID President), and Volker Stumpf (VDID, Delegate).

Agile design development is a streamlined, practical, application-oriented method for innovation. It combines structured iterations with short concept and development phases in teams. The client is always an integral part of the design process, helping to bundle internal and external skills. It starts with creating a vision for the product. And this quickly takes on precise shapes - in models, visualizations and prototypes. The decisive advantage: Improvements can be identified more quickly, making it easier to maintain a sustainable acceleration in product development. This is how products come to life which are fun for the consumer, easy to use, captivate our minds and inspire our hearts.

Our Agile design development process is divided into three levels. On the first level is the BLUEBOX, a free-thinking space, a session room and a meeting space where we hone in on a design using a variety of DesignThinking elements. Our industrial designers are trained observers who can pinpoint a problem or an end-user‘s needs. They put themselves in the user‘s shoes to take a closer look, continually changing their point of view.

On the second level is the CreativeBox, a design center. And on the third level is the CoverBox, where
ideas and designs take form.

You have a vison or you’re in search of new ideas? Contact us!