In 2004 the appliance manufacturer Miele has received 13 design awards. Decisive criteria for the Baden-W¼rttemberg 2004 international design prize awarded for Miele@home InfoControl were the “interaction between user and product” and the “outstanding design features created by product engineers and manufacturers”. Miele received the “Focus in silver” award for the excellent design quality and functionality of Miele@home InfoControl, praised by a jury of leading European designers.
Miele@home, a smart-home system offers user convenience, additional safety and a wide range of services. Miele@home InfoControl ‘speaks’ eleven different languages and fits into any pocket. Its main job, though, is supervising up to eight domestic appliances all at once. The read-out on this conveniently sized unit measuring only 5.5 x 6.5 cm is able to display programme status, durations, operating prompts and error messages from ‘broadcasting’ appliances.
Superb functionality and user benefits
The manufacturer from G¼tersloh also occupied a leading position in the “Ranking ““ Design 2003/2004 ““ Industrial design” analysis, a league table of prize-winning designers and industrialists. Under the “100 best”, Miele came 6th in two categories. Compared to the previous year, the company has advanced four positions in the “Manufacturer” league and retained its sixth place in the “Industrial designer” category. “Ranking – Design” represents an analysis of the results of Germany’s top 19 design competitions. The league table of industrial designers and manufacturers is based on the number of prizes and awards received.
The “Ranking – Design” annual review comments on Miele’s performance as follows: “Less is more, quality before quantity has been the formula for success at Miele & Cie. since it was founded in 1899”. By concentrating on a high-quality appliance range, the family-run company has developed into one of the leading white goods manufacturers. “By endeavouring to produce high-quality products with state-of-the-art technology and optimum user convenience”, Miele stands out from the mass of products on the market. “State-of-the-art technology, contemporary design and the proverbial durability of Miele produts are underlined by superb functionality and user benefits.”
