A new LCD touchscreen elevator panel recognised has won what is known by some as the ‘Oscars of industrial design’ — the Good Design Award.
Elevator passenger safety, control and information specialist TL Jones has won the 2011 award for its Commander T2 touch-enabled car operating panel.
The award, self-described as “the world’s most prestigious standard for design excellence”, was granted by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The touchscreen replaces traditional mechanical buttons, offering elevator passengers a new, interactive experience. Featuring a full-colour LCD screen, the T2 is a totally software-customisable and vandal-proof product, and is said to be an attractive and versatile solution for every building owner wishing to extend their interior design into their elevators with an added level of sophistication.
“Good Design is referred to as the ‘Oscars’ of industrial design”, commented Christian K. Narkiewicz-Laine, Museum President, The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and chief curator of the programme.
“The Good Design Awards,” stated jury member Giorgio Borruso, "is an amazing opportunity to understand the state of global design today. These innumerable projects come from many different geographical areas, brands, manufacturers and design offices. Through them, you can see how design is shaping our world, now as well as in the near future.”
“This year’s program,” Borruso continued, “a snapshot of what design has achieved in 2011, clearly demonstrated how products are noticeably getting closer to the user, triggering powerful emotional responses from the public; how interfaces have become generally friendlier and more intuitive; and, in certain cases - like interactive objects, for example - how software and hardware are fusing together almost seamlessly.”
All products and graphics must be designed, in production or manufactured for at least two years before the contest title year.
One of the main factors behind the awards selection is whether or not a product can enrich society and people's lives through its design.
