BraunPrizeBlog

09:13 -> The third day of the jury session started and I’ve just took place at the table where the jury members gather. I think it’s webcam 2 where you can see the table where the jury members sit down. At the head of the table a computer and a monitor is placed where all the designs can be judged according to their virtual appearance.

09:24 -> The remaining submissions (from yesterday’s session) are discussed today and statements about the sketches and virtual models are collected by discussions. What surprises me, but which seems to be necessary given the more than 900 submissions is that once a proposal is not convincing on second sight … well it’s being skipped ;-(

09:33 -> Right now we are passionately discussing a submission which is using an existing technology and is applying it to a different context. While I think the underlying technological solution is not mature yet the final “Go” decision has also been given because the student provided some convincing (authentic) statements from real world professionals who would be keen to use this product.

09:41 -> Again a submission which gains its “Go” because of the convincing presentation with additional documentation and explanations on how to use the product in different contexts.

09:57 -> As the current discussion is clearly demonstrating it is so important to provide sufficient background information and research together with the object/sketch.

10:06 -> Head of the jury Peter Schneider just made a great statement. He claims that the BraunPrize is not only about identifying the “best of the best solution” but also about demonstrating the huge impact and variety of design & industrial design in particular.

10:13 -> I’m just wondering why some pretty simple, unusual and smart submissions still polarize the jury while others which only seem to address a single task/purpose/dimension is getting a pretty quick “Go”? After all it’s my first hour with the jury ;-)

10:37 -> … and (I have to be honest about this as well) sometimes I’m simply amazed how uninspired some sketches are. Sometimes simple iterations of existing products … Again: This is my very personal opinion not necessarily reflecting the jury’s perception!

10:44 -> Hey, one jury member has identified a possible BraunPrize finalist candidate :-) Sorry folks, I’m not allowed to give any hints on the design :-(

10:48 -> … OK, I’m sharing a little bit it’s not a kind of “save the world” product, but also not too “fun-like”; For me it’s creating added value and more importantly added experience

11:10 -> I take a short break :-) … the Jury however is still discussing passionately!

11:53 -> Correction: I will go for a photo tour now and take some shots from the jury itself as well as from the location, the city hall of Kronberg.

12:09 -> Ah, there is some movement at the jury table as they are going to watch a video which accompanies a submission! Seems the piece has been quite convincing as the jury has been pretty excited and has given it a “Go” :-)

12:25 -> 30 minutes to go until lunch break. From my perspective the jury did a great job so far We’ve started with some 65 submissions remaining to be evaluated and right now we have some 25 entries left. Honestly if you’re a participant in this competition you can be sure that your entry is in good hands. All people on the table are more than passionate and curious about the any sort of submission. Let it be a completely new technological solution or simply a modification and optimization of a given product critical assessment is dedicated to each entry.

I’m not sure yet when exactly I can conduct the interviews I’ve prepared, but hopefully I will be able to at least grab one or two jury members to share some information about themselves and their experiences with the BraunPrize so far. So stay tuned, leave a comment or post a question via the comment function!