Advisory Board

GREENLAB at weißensee kunsthochschule berlin | Professor of Textile and Surface Design

“Not for the first time since the Potsdamer Manifest, it is clear that we have to take a fundamentally different approach to business if we are to create conditions that are liveable for all. Included here are economic, ecological and social aspects, among others.
Design as we understand it constitutes the beginning of a new development process and can thus have a decisive influence on the sustainability of the developed product. The discipline of design is driven by curiosity and a desire for insight and – as a fundamental outlook – seeks innovative solutions in the creative process. A product can be rethought not only in terms of its materiality but also in its creation, use and disposal. It is this aspect that makes our work so exciting as well as particularly well suited to shaping the process of a sustainably managed society. The Federal Ecodesign Award is an important means of showcasing good examples.” (Statement by the GREENLAB at weißensee kunsthochschule berlin)

sustainable natives | Business consultant, author, lecturer, founder member of the sustainable business consultancy sustainable natives

“Around 80 % of the environmental effects of products and services are set in place during the design process. The paradigm of higher, faster and further that characterised the second half of the 20th century and is still dominant today has been driven above all by design. This has taken place alongside its corollaries of resource overuse, ecological destruction, loss of biodiversity and climate change, which have all been known to us for decades. Today, the field of design must also shoulder responsibility and help give shape to the new and urgently needed paradigm of less, slower, better and more beautiful. Here, I take a broader view that takes in communication and product design, all the way to transformation design (Welzer). Design can only be sustainable when the field as a whole succeeds in changing the perspective from inside-out (How can I design a profitable product?) to outside-in (How can I adequately respond to the challenges of the 21 century?). I am very pleased to be on the Advisory Board of the German Federal Ecodesign Award, which plays a vital and leading role and sets an outstanding example for others to follow.”

University of Applied Design Schwäbisch Gmünd | Industrial Designer, Visiting Professor Product Design

“Sustainability begins with the design process. An object that can be used intuitively and is easily accessible to the user through its haptics and form has an increased longevity - and is thus particularly sustainable. In further development, of course, resource-saving materials and equally resource-saving manufacturing techniques are used.”

Health and Environment Justice Support e.V. (HEJSupport) | Co-founder and Co-director of HEJSupport

“Sustainable design thinks about the environment and health from the outset, for example by avoiding hazardous chemicals in production and in products. Because what is avoided does not have to be cleaned up or corrected afterwards. The German Ecodesign Award shines a spotlight on the sustainable actions of designers, which unfortunately often remain hidden.”

Lucerne School of Art and Design (HSLU) | Project Leader for University Development, PhD-Programme for Eco-Social-Innovation by Design

“The efforts of design disciplines towards sustainable development within planetary boundaries often aim at the use of less harmful materials, the adaptation of more efficient processes, incorporating better construction principles or the encouragement of responsible individual behavior. However, designers also contribute to sustainable development by creating the enabling conditions for innovative social practices through collaborations across academic disciplines, professional methodologies, and cultural conventions. The results of these interventions might be products and services — or educational experiences, civic innovations, or co-created visions for a desirable future. I believe that groundbreaking ideas grow and flourish where diverse perspectives and competences meet — and for this exchange, formats like the German Ecodesign Award are well needed.”

ecosign / Academy of Design | Lecturer in Philosophy and Cultural Sciences

“Design permeates every area of life and, more strongly than ever before, shapes our world and our self-conception. In this way, it transforms nature into artificially grown cultures, and resources into products and services, ultimately eroding our future viability. The impacts of sustainable design are reflected along entire value chains and in people, societies and the biosphere. Sustainable designers know what they are doing –they are fact-based, user-oriented and sustainable. Thereby, the German Federal Ecodesign Award serves as an invaluable platform for this form of responsible design.”

Designworks, a BMW Company Group | Associate Director, Sustainability Design

“Society will have taken a major step forward when children start to paint houses and factories without chimneys. This will demand a general shift in thinking, and it is here where designers can make a major contribution. Initiatives such as the German Ecodesign Award represent an important milestone towards greater ecological consciousness and behaviour. The award will help to further strengthen the awareness of sustainable design among the German public and beyond.

In the future, a central responsibility of design will increasingly be to substantiate the much-abused term of ‘sustainability’ in the various sectors and to become an integral part of development from the outset. A key competence in the development of sustainable and meaningful product- and system innovations is the integration of expertise and cross-sector knowledge. This will enable companies, institutions and end users work together on improvements and above all on new possibilities, whilst creating added value.”

Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle | Industrial Designer, Professor of Industrial Design, Material- and Technology-Based Product Development at the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle.

“A sustainable future demands a fundamental change in thinking and the pursuit of a multidisciplinary public dialogue. Here, designers have not just a major responsibility but also a great opportunity, as the far-reaching consequences of their work goes beyond the mere choice of materials and technology. Indeed, the entire creation, use and disposal/recycling timeframe is critical. Designers have the opportunity – not least as an interface – to institute many changes and to give decisive shape to the overall context and thus also the transition to a more resource-efficient society.”

Anhalt University of Applied Sciences | Professor for Product Design and Technical Design

"The German Ecodesign Award has established a great space for reflection on sustainability that gives a stage to consistent, holistic action, understanding of complex systems, reduction of the footprint of all our activities to an extreme minimum, social justice as well as a motivated examination of economically sensible feasibility.
Yes, 'products' must be designed for a long time of use and all 're-' activities. Conversely, nothing must be made for eternity. Innovations are slowed down, in the worst case prevented - Great attention must be paid to the path to the 'product' and especially to the end of its use cycle. It should become a deep satisfaction to be able to 'harvest' the 'borrowed' materials again."

Hess Natur | ecosign / Academy of Design | Lecturer (communication design), co-founder of Hess Natur, co-initiator of the Charter for Sustainable Design at the AGD

“It is high time for the establishment of a federal award for ecodesign. Designers carry with them a special responsibility – they are shaping the world of tomorrow. The award provides acknowledgement and support and effectively highlights their commitment to the topic of sustainability.”

Ulm University of Applied Sciences | Professor of Industrial Design

“What is needed to achieve concrete and effective steps towards ecological rethinking are broad-based and ongoing information activities that raise awareness in society. The German Ecodesign Award is among those providing the new ideas that will contribute to this desired change. The fact that design is at the foreground confirms once again the importance of our flexible and multidisciplinary profession in this current economic structure, as well as its value for a modern society.”

Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT | Head of Biobased Plastics unit

“The use of innovative and sustainable materials can conserve resources and help relieve the burden on our environment. Again and again, illustrative products and projects are demonstrating that the combination of ecological awareness and sophisticated design need not be a niche area. The German Federal Ecodesign Award is a clear statement for successful resource-saving and modern product developments. At Fraunhofer UMSICHT, sustainable management and environmentally sound processes stand at the centre of research and development activities. For this reason, we are very happy to be a part of the advisory board for the organisation of this future-oriented award.” (Statement by Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT)

visionlabs in the Industrial Design course at the Bergische Universität | Professor of Materials and Production Engineering with a focus on construction technology and systems in design, mechanical engineer, industrial designer and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Design and Art

“Design - since the term has existed - offers a large field for diverse interpretations, controversies, longings; and it seems to me that the need to design is more important today and in the future than ever before. At the same time, I hope that we will have the strength and insight to devote ourselves humbly and responsibly enough to the current requirements to come closer to sustainable concepts faster than we have (often not) tried so far. Above all, I wish for a sustained, public discourse that does not simplify and hastily solve our current problems, but rather takes the evolutionary and proven processes of nature's many billions of years as a model. The German Ecodesign Award is a great forum for this public discourse.“

designgruppe koop | Owner and director, author and design researcher

“Today, in order to be worthy of the name, design must be sustainable. Although this word has been subject to serious abuse, we have no alternative term that so fully encompasses the aspects of ecology, society and economy. The task of designers is to apply their not meagre resources to the creation of purpose and value – for everybody. Across industry, in the media, in politics and among the greater public, the Federal Ecodesign competition is an excellent means of achieving this with ever-greater awareness and indisputable purpose.”

HMKW University of Applied Sciences for Media | Professor for Graphic Design and Visual Communication

Simply do it? Do it simply! In an increasingly complex world, new approaches are needed. This is possible if we look at issues systemically and move out of linear thought patterns. We thereby create situational clarity and thus an optimal environment for an open-ended, innovative solution space. Simple and clear solutions that can answer economic and social questions in equal measure. This is also what I teach my students: I encourage them to think the impossible and expand their own mindset. Curious and open to try out different strategies and implement them in a playful way. Simply doing it - but doing it simply!

Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT | Business Development Manager for Products

“Ecological product design, in combination with innovative materials research and material selection, plays a key role in resource conservation. As an overarching link with a strong influence on the entire product life cycle, design sets an important course on the way from a linear to a circular economy. Sovereignty over material and substance flows in different phases of use and the realisation of sustainable business models is inconceivable without forward-looking design. Fraunhofer UMSICHT sees itself and its research activities as a pioneer in a sustainable future and is therefore delighted to support the German Ecodesign Award as an important award for intelligent products.”

VDI Centre for Resource Efficiency (VDI ZRE) | Head of Industrial Technologies/Processes

“Product design has a significant influence on the use of natural resources in the life cycle of a product, from raw material extraction to production, use and disposal. Product development makes an important contribution to climate protection by creating the conditions for efficient utilisation processes and sustainable recycling. It is essential to anticipate and influence processes in all phases of the life cycle.”

studio MM04 | Fashiondesigner and Author

“The German Ecodesign Award is characterised by high quality and a high degree of innovation. We deal with an expanded concept of quality that incorporates environmental and social aspects alongside the classic factors of modern, attractive and consistent design, high quality materials and sound manufacturing. This is about design with added value: Products, services and concepts that leave a positive footprint.”

Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW | Deputy Head of Institute Contemporary Design Practices, Industrial Design program.

“Designing for a sustainable future requires rethinking the way we design, manufacture, use and dispose of products. Design can play a formative role in advancing the circular economy in society with smart designs and make a sustainable contribution to reducing resource consumption.”

Eindhoven University of Technology | Architect, Assistant Professor of Sustainability in Architectural Design

„We need more ambition, creativity, and determination! Sustainability and Circularity are high on the agenda but currently falling short on action. Buildings play a key role in our environmental future, as they are in responsible for the largest shares of CO2 emissions, resource consumption and waste generation. To accelerate the transition of the built environment towards sustainability and circularity we need radical transformations in the ways we design, construct, use, transform, and take buildings apart. There are already many innovative examples that can pave the way towards desirable futures.“

GREENLAB at weißensee kunsthochschule berlin | Professor of Product Design

“Not for the first time since the Potsdamer Manifest, it is clear that we have to take a fundamentally different approach to business if we are to create conditions that are liveable for all. Included here are economic, ecological and social aspects, among others.
Design as we understand it constitutes the beginning of a new development process and can thus have a decisive influence on the sustainability of the developed product. The discipline of design is driven by curiosity and a desire for insight and – as a fundamental outlook – seeks innovative solutions in the creative process. A product can be rethought not only in terms of its materiality but also in its creation, use and disposal. It is this aspect that makes our work so exciting as well as particularly well suited to shaping the process of a sustainably managed society. The Federal Ecodesign Award is an important means of showcasing good examples.” (Statement by the GREENLAB at weißensee kunsthochschule berlin)

TEXOVERSUM School of Textiles Reutlingen University | Dean of Studies for the Fashion & Textile and Material Design course

„Only if there is a deep understanding of all facets of the textile chain from the designer's first creative thought and this is considered, understood and incorporated from the outset can truly sustainable products be created. This goes far beyond materiality or technological realisation and must include ecological, economic and social aspects and combine digital transformation with the knowledge of traditional craftsmanship. I am firmly convinced that this can succeed if we manage to work together fairly and openly in an interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue.“

Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences | Department of Design - Industrial Design, Drafting and Human-System Interaction, Human Factors Lab

“With digitalisation and artificial intelligence, technologies are permeating all areas of life. Humans are definitively linked to the virtual world of things, data and services through increasingly diverse human-machine interfaces. For me, sustainable design means above all the responsible design of human-centred technology interaction. Therefore, I consider the systematic inclusion of human factors to be a key to the successful development of future applications, products, services as well as working environments.”

Intuity Media Lab | Information architect, digital designer, founder and partner

“Design powerfully shapes our world. Good design emerges beyond form and function – it must respect the legitimate demands of future generations. Excellent design already cultivates a considered view of natural resources and social needs. Behavioural design and sustainable design help tackle complex challenges and make a relevant contribution to a desirable world, but great solutions require skill, creativity and attitude. The German Ecodesign Award honours personalities who have found and designed outstanding solutions. Winners are role models in our craft and show the potential of design for a desirable future.”

Free University of Bozen-Bolzano | Professor of Material Driven Design

„Materials are key ingredients in moving ourselves towards a more sustainable and just society. A closer look at where our stuff comes from, how resources are extracted, processed, transported, used and eventually reused or recycled allows us to get a better grip on the world we made. A material driven design approach helps artists and designers to explore and define where and how to make a difference. In short, I believe the best way to change our future is to (re)make it.“

VDI Centre for Resource Efficiency (VDI ZRE) | Research Associate Industrial Technologies and Processes

“With sustainable product design, product development can make a significant contribution to the conservation of natural resources and climate protection. Decisions made in the early stages of the development process already have a significant influence on resource consumption as well as on environmental and social impacts over the entire product life cycle.”

German Society for Design Theory and Research (DGTF) | Research associate at TU Dresden

“Design defies complexity and uncertainty, develops bold proposals for sustainable solutions. These can mature in niches and be taken up by the socio-technical regime if the boundary conditions are right. Social and ecological responsibility in all product life phases can contribute to sustainable development with new business models. The prerequisite for this is the acceptance of people, which can only be achieved through a consistent orientation of design to human needs.”