Korean Companies Win Awards at 2015 Red Dot Design
There may be reports on slow economic growth and falling sales in South Korea, the good news is some of the country's companies have been awarded for their ingenuity. Kia Motors, Naver and 3 telecom manufacturers - SK Telecom, LG and KT - are big winners during the awarding ceremonies of '2015 Red Dot Design Awards'. Out of 7,452 submissions, these companies have managed to earn global acclaim.
Kia Motors has obtained the second prize of the Communication Design: mobile app category for its iPad application for Soul EV, SUV and All New Sorento. The app's abilities to modify a car's color and interiors, as well as offer convenience, have gained positive reviews. It also allows users to create 3D images using real design data.
Naver, the country's leading internet service operator, has received the top prize for Corporate Social Responsibility. Its subway map has been lauded for its ability to help colorblind users read and understand map details easily through features like transfer station info, color tone modification and outlines.
SK Telecom has also garnered the Design Concept grand prize for its Boxshool, a high-tech learning tool developed with KAIST's industrial design department.
LG U Plus has earned the second prize for four services categorized under Communication app. U-Plus Camera, Visible Shopping and U Spoon (a mobile virtual assistant) let smartphone users modify videos and images. Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio, on the other hand, makes phones function like a two-way radio.
KT Corporation has received the grand prize for the Smart and Fashion categories because of its ingenious creation, the Phone-brella. The umbrella has a handle design that lets users insert their arm so they can use their phone while keeping away from the rain or the sun's heat.
And then, there's YG Entertainment. It's now recognized for being an expert in design aside from music. Despite the entertainment company's first time to participate in the design contest, it has won five Communication category awards for its collaboration package with Woori Bank, YG Family Concert in Seoul Live CD, RISE full package album design of Taeyang, Crush album design of 2NE1, and the branding of WINNER's introduction into the music industry.
Considered the Academy Awards of the design industry, the Red Dot Design Award is based in Germany. It is one of the leading design contests along with IDEA and IF. It chooses winners based on three categories: product design, concept design and communication design. The selected submissions are placed on display at its own museum in Essen.