It’s time for round six: once again in 2011 the coveted “interzum award: intelligent material & design” will be presented at interzum. With submissions from a total of 19 countries, the design prize is more international than ever before, proving that this award now enjoys the highest recognition worldwide and acts as a reliable biennial way marker for extraordinary innovations.

For over 50 years the interzum trade fair has been a meeting place for the international supplier industry and, above all, a source of inspiration for industry, crafts and trade. Nowhere else in the world will you find such a wealth of innovations that have a decisive influence on the products of tomorrow. In keeping with this, ten years ago Koelnmesse launched the “interzum award: intelligent material & design” in cooperation with red dot projects. As always, this year’s international jury was of the highest calibre, including architect and designer Prof. Masayo Ave from Japan/Germany, designer Martin Bergmann from Austria, interior designer Prof. Danny Venlet of Belgium, publisher Sergey Shustov of Russia and red dot design award initiator Dr Peter Zec from Germany. Together, they had to select the best products from all those submitted, which had been divided into three categories. The result: 8 awarded “best of the best” and 35 awarded “high product quality” status.

This year a total of 208 products from 124 companies in 19 different countries were submitted – a new record (2009: 115 firms from 15 countries). The figures show that the “interzum award: intelligent material & design” has established itself internationally as a powerful communication and marketing tool. The products chosen for the industry award not only stand out against the broad range on offer at the trade fair, but this label for high-quality design also helps companies to draw attention to themselves in their long-term positioning against their competitors.

The stated aim of the “intezum award: intelligent material & design” is to put the spotlight on qualities such as innovative design, intelligent details, aesthetics and functionality. In 2011 eight products embodied these perfectly and were awarded the title “best of the best”, while a further 35 products were nominated by the jury for the “high product quality” award. The award ceremony will take place on 24 May 2011 as part of the opening event “interzum & friends”, and all chosen products will be presented during the trade fair in a special exhibition on the boulevard.