The Grand Award of Design was first awarded in 2003 and since then we have had time to select 19 winners and 72 finalists out of over 4000 applied companies. The collection is equally a library of inspiring examples of successful design as it is a history of Sweden’s unique innovative power.
Winner
Motivation
Through an exceptionally well-executed design process, the company has met user needs with an innovative certification process. They has successfully built upon a proven design, incorporating newly developed technology. This has resulted in a user-friendly, safe, and profitable product for both new sales and the aftermarket.
The company wins the competition with a perfect score, meeting all criteria for the Grand Design Award by using the design process in a professional and prioritized manner, combined with business development, innovation, and user-friendliness. Overall, this has resulted in clear commercial success, and in this case, excellent gross margins and strong sales growth for a completely new product added to their range.
With a focused and architecturally driven approach to problem-solving, Fläktgroup has created an integrated alternative through its groundbreaking ‘invisible’ air diffuser, which becomes part of the ceiling architecture rather than today’s products placed on top of it. As pioneers in the field, they offer this adaptable air diffuser as a flexible print-on-demand product, keeping architectural intent and customer needs at the forefront.
By leveraging medical research and ergonomics in design, Ullman Dynamics has systematically developed a portfolio of boat seats where flexibility, applied ergonomics, and comfort have entirely eliminated compression injuries during rough sea driving. With strong demand from the professional and commercial maritime sectors, this has established the success story of Ullman Dynamics, marked by a clear signature and profitable profile.
Winner
Motivation
The product has a great potential to disrupt an industry. A marriage between technology and design – this product taps into multiple industries and use-cases. With proof of concepts in testing, the product have received positive feedback and high demand, with a commercial launch in the near future. This product is a disruptive innovation with high degree of novelty and applications, that doesn’t compromise on performance nor sustainability.
A design that involves mechanical engineering and user-centric features, the product is solving a problem that hasn’t been regarded, ever. Saving lives every day, the intuitive usability of this tool will save money, time and resources in the health care sector. With clinical trials finalized and a very clear need for the product, the design with color coordinated adjustments speaks for itself.
Making dreams come true, this product combines not only performance and design, but also have sustainability as a foundation for the material choice, sourcing and production. The product plays in another category of extreme sports, thinking outside the box of how to have fun with snow. A great use of material that would have otherwise gone to waste.
Winner
Lifting experience through design & innovation
Creating durable high performance products by leveraging materials and design to increase usability and reduce environmental impact.
Motivation
Since the start in 1957, Eleiko has strived to offer the ultimate lifting experience. With a philosophy based on innovation, quality and usability, the company has become internationally respected and a market leader. Their launch of Open Barbell Collars manifests simplicity made smart. An investment in design and development that really has paid off. This is a true textbook example of when tradition, quality, innovation and usability meet design resulting in commercial success worldwide.
Inspired by the art of origami
The STILFOLD technology used to create the STILRIDE 1 chassis pushes the boundaries of how sustainable steel constructions can be implemented.
Acceleration of the local green shift
On a mission to re-terraform Earth with complete water production systems for local coverage of perfect drinking water with minimal eco footprint.
Winner
Motivation
Harvest Moon’s approach to design and details runs through the entire value chain.
With classic Swedish innovation Harvest Moon wants to make water-free toilets a part of everyday life and facilitate a more sustainable living, both on a local and global scale.
Their purpose-driven and entrepreneurial spirit makes Harvest Moon and the product Luna a great Pioneer.
Volumental increases sales and rentals, reduces returns and provides a best-in-class customer experience for shoppers both in-store and online.
Volumental increases sales and rentals, reduces returns and provides a best-in-class customer experience for shoppers both in-store and online.
“Powerfoyle is revolutionizing consumer electronics with its solar cell solution based on artificial photosynthesis, which charges in both indoor and outdoor lights and creates infinite energy. With a flexible design, which can be designed and adapted to the product it is integrated into, it paves the way for enormous commercial success.”
Production: X Shore.
Design: X Shore.
Through the combination of design, sustainability and technology, X Shore has developed the boat concept of the future. An electric powered boat without vibrations, noise and exhaust gases – without sacrificing speed. Designed down to the last detail, with earthy colors and materials, it sets a new standard in the boating industry.
Production: RaceRunning Sweden.
Design: Reload Design.
Born out of a family need, the WISP RaceRunner is tailored to provide active sports opportunities for people with functional diversity. With refined functionality and attractive and inclusive design, it attracts – as well as draws attention to and instills pride in – a life-enhancing and innovative para sport.
Production: Globhe.
Design: Above.
With qualitative, global and cost-effective image data, Globhe is a tool for predicting and combating natural disasters and disease outbreaks. The platform, which brings together 3600 drone pilots in 48 countries, helps users such as the United Nations. A business model designed with a holistic, humanistic and commercial foundation.
Production: Fristads.
Design: Fristads.
Fristads Green is not only an environmentally friendly design concept at the production and material level, but also a comprehensive holistic responsibility for the garment’s entire life cycle. The world’s first environmentally declared workwear collection shows a commercially successful and sustainable path for the Swedish textile industry .
“With the cost-effective BIO X, researchers can 3D print human organs. This is the bioprinter of the future from CELLINK, which has received praise from researchers from around the world.”
Production: Renova Miljö.
Design: inUse.
Recycling is an essential part of developing sustainability work – Renova took this seriously by not only developing a well-designed digital portal for its customers’ follow-up work, but also creating motivation for customers to improve their operational activities from an environmental perspective through clear data.
Production: Teenage Engineering.
Design: Teenage Engineering.
OP-Z combines portability with functionality in a practical and bold design. By taking the concept of a synthesizer and adding control for light and image, Teenage Engineering has redefined the idea of a musical instrument.
Production: Blå Station.
Design: Thomas Bernstrand och Stefan Borselius.
With BOB, Thomas Bernstrand, Stefan Borselius, and Blå Station have created a sofa system that combines sustainability with innovative design. In a practical and smart way, six individual sofa parts open up possibilities for architects and decorators that were not possible before.
Production: Altered.
Design: Altered.
With a design that smoothly and efficiently integrates with existing interior design, Altered takes it upon itself to help households around the world save on water consumption. Altered Nozzle is a typical example of a smart consumer product that can make a real difference.
“Light, silent and environmentally friendly – with a trend-setting and unexpected design – the electric off-road motorcycle Kalk challenges the traditional motorcycle culture. Weighing only 65 kilograms, powered by an electric drivetrain and with tires that wear less on the ground, it creates a whole new category of adventure.”
Production: Fagerhult.
Design: PetterssonRudberg.
Based on research for the ultimate work light, the Sweep and Scoot luminaires respond to the screen-tight, activity-based office’s need for uncompromising light comfort. Technically advanced and with a well-thought-out design that, with its simple and timeless expression of quality, delivers high design value to environments.
Production: iZettle.
Design: Above.
Fast, battery-efficient and secure – the wireless card reader iZettle Reader makes small business life easier. As much as it meets the user’s needs, it speaks a clean and simple design language that strengthens the image of the brand behind the product.
Production: Husqvarna.
Design: Husqvarna.
An overall experience with smart solutions such as GPS systems, ultrasonic sensors and control via an app, makes the Husqvarna Automower 450X the market’s leading lawn mower robot. It can handle both obstacles and tough terrain, and new details such as headlights and a replaceable shell gives it its own personality.
Production: Coala Life.
Design: Reload.
Wireless self-screening and on-the-minute analysis make it possible to avoid care queues and predict heart disease. The Coala Heart Monitor is part of the fight against the world’s most common cause of death – a medical innovation designed with ease of use in focus.
“ACX Power Ascender is a tool that has revolutionized rope-access work in maintenance and rescue services, etc. By using design in a strategic way in its product development, Actsafe has created a product that contains both driving pleasure and safety considerations in the same product. The ACX Power Ascender has brought pride and job satisfaction to an otherwise often forgotten profession.”
“Pocket operators are small, light and stripped-down synthesizers that simplify music creation. With a compact, functional design and modern aesthetics, as well as, an attractive price level, they have created a commercial success.”
”If the outdoors is your workplace you depend on your clothing to keep you comfortable, safe and efficient. Technical Extreme by Husqvarna is their most advanced work wear yet. The new collection is a leap forward in designing technical work clothes around the user with an uncompromising attention to detail. With innovative materials and field testing by professionals the Technical Extreme collection has been a great sales success finding a market in die hard professionals as well as gardening enthusiasts.”
”The Ericsson AIR fits two technologies into one shell. By combining a radio unit and antenna transmitter into one single casing, Ericsson has together with design company Nopicnic managed to create a unique product optimized for performance as well as being sleek and easy to install. The functional and efficient product design indicates a rigorous process with strong attention to detail and the right kind of decision-making method.”
“Martin Magnusson & Co is the glove maker who, by inviting professional users into the design process, turned the family business into a commercial success story and a strong global brand.”
“Trabec takes the new generation of MTB cyclists to unimagined heights. The helmet is built to handle tougher terrains and with increased driving pleasure. The design challenges competitors with high safety and without compromise in execution. Trabec feels nicely robust and radiates adventurous freedom. It has already been given a place among the world’s top cyclists. Behind the success is a company that knows the art of sensing trends and transforming them into ultimate solutions for their target group.”
“Domino contributes to an easier everyday life for active people with impaired hearing. Crystal clear sound, smart functions and a self-instructional interface. The design is developed based on the user’s need to function and fit into modern, noisy environments; at meetings, at school, at the restaurant and outdoors. Domino increases the quality of life by elegantly cutting through the noise.”
“With one foot in the water and one in the office, Waterproof has succeeded in creating the industry’s “top-of-the-line product”. The keywords have been organic, technology, flowing lines and surface structure. The inspiration has been taken from the sports, car and shoe industry. The result is a fantastic craft that makes both diving professionals and landlubbers take an extra deep breath”
“Axis has not only created acceptance for surveillance cameras on the market by turning the threatening into safety. They have also allowed the shape to become a natural carrier of the brand and in record time have established themselves as the market leader. An excellent proof that the end result is successful when design and technology are allowed to go hand in hand throughout the entire process.”
“Smart design that has simplified everyday life for people with functional diversity worldwide. A communication aid on the user’s terms, where eyes replace hands. Thanks to innovative design, the company has also succeeded in broadening the field of use to “eye-tracking”. The product is an excellent analysis tool for market analysts and researchers who want to see through the eyes of the user.”
“The elaborate design manual describes design management in concrete terms. DeLaval International has taken a holistic approach to design issues and the manual explains how the company and its product range should relate to customers and users. The manual proves that clarity and consensus in the smallest detail pay off.”
“The mechanical heart compressor LUCAS represents design with a high degree of innovation and thoughtful use of materials. It is easy to use and has a self-instructing and safety-creating design language. LUCAS has been very positively received by users and achieved great commercial success in a recognized difficult market segment.”
“Movimento has consistently applied a well-thought-out design strategy in everything from product development and branding to customer service and administration. The diagnostic and analysis tool PUMA is an impressive result of determination and has in a short time achieved great commercial success in the market of vehicle diagnostics.”
“In fierce global competition, the T610’s commercial success has marked a turning point for Sony Ericsson. A small group of designers has created a product that stands out in the crowd with its style and functions. With the T 610, Sony Ericsson has combined advanced technology with intuitive user friendliness into a sophisticated experience machine.”
“In a short time, the XC 90 has established itself in an extremely competitive segment through progressive design utilization and with fidelity to traditional Volvo values such as safety, environment and visual identity. A commercial success that is not only limited to the company, but also provides significant export income for Sweden.”
The annual award is presented by Teknikföretagen in partnership with Techarenan
Teknikföretagen (Technology Industries of Sweden) is the primary representative for Swedish industry. In total, our 4,500 member companies constitute one third of Sweden’s exports. Our mission is to strengthen the competitiveness of member companies.
Techarena is a platform for innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability that brings together entrepreneurs, business leaders, experts, investors, decision makers and politicians. The platform comprises of several yearly tech events, a Nordic entrepreneurship competition and a news site.
