BraunPrizeBlog

It has been quiet for some days, but … for good reason ;-) We’ve wanted wanted to wait with disclosing news about the submission numbers until we have reliable numbers. So close before last weekend BraunPrize team leader Gerlinde Kress informed me that again for the BraunPrize 2007 we indeed have a new submission record:

After eliminating invalid entries (Murphy seems to be on board here as well) we have a total number of 903 entries from 54 countries across the globe which I find more than impressing. I’m pretty sure that the possibility to upload the complete materials digitally has added to this record once again (even though this feature has been offered for the last 2 competitions already). For a detailed distribution of the countries of origin simply download this PDF.

What I personally find most impressive is that this competition is truly international and not only focused on Europe solely. If I look at the Top 5 entries I see: Germany (172 submissions), Portugal (93), USA (70), China (60) and Mexico (57). Accordingly I hope that not only entries from countries will make into the next round, but also submissions from smaller (in terms of submissions ;-) countries like Chile (17), Argentina (14), India (14), Israel (14) and Sweden (14; the BraunPrize Winner 2005 came from Sweden!). Well let’s see …

For additional information in terms of dates, facts & numbers you might also explore the BraunPrize newsboard which is a mirror of the BraunPrize newsletter to which you can subscribe as well. As the BraunPrize truly is an international competition most formal information is published in 3 languages (German, English & Spanish) on the newsboard; this is service, right ;-)

Actually the next stage on the way to the final BraunPrize ceremony on September 12th 2007 is the first jury meeting which takes place on March 13-15th here in Kronberg, Germany. I’m really excited to join the jury in the course of this meeting as I will hopefully be able to have some personal conversations with the jury members as well and share some of their motivations and impressions here on the BraunPrizeBlog.

Last but not least in this context it might interest you that an additional jury member (the jury now comprises 5 people) has been announced recently. It’s Benjamin Holch, the winner of the BraunPrize 2003. Personally I find it a great idea to include a successful participant (Peter Schneider, head of BraunDesign has been a BraunPrize winner as well ;-) in the jury as he will surely be able to contribute his (not too outdated) experiences into the selection process.