The best designers of the red dot design award 2007 in interview: Anna Oeren

The design trend for interiors is clearly tending towards the use of expensive materials in a high quality manufacture.  Furnishings are increasingly becoming decorative pieces and even modern closed stoves are being used as such.  One particularly successful example of this is the Jøtul F 373 wood-burning stove, designed by the Norwegian design bureau of Hareide Designmill and awarded the red dot: best of the best this year for its outstanding design. red dot online spoke to the designer Anna Oeren of Hareide Designmill about the aims behind the Jøtul F 373 and the challenges today’s designers have to set themselves.

What inspired you to create this particular product and what was the intention behind it?

The main inspiration in designing the Jøtul F370 was to create an elegant and modern stove, and something different than all the "barrel" shaped stoves so common on the market today. We focused on creating a benchmark regarding fit and finish for cast iron stoves, with an aesthetics and functionality that aimed to meet customers different preferences regarding a fireplace. This together with modularity and a certain amount of playfulness served as a guiding star for the project.

What does being awarded with "red dot: best of the best" mean to you?

It is a great honor to be among the selected few and in such good company!

It proves that we are right in the design values we believe in, and it will serve as a great inspiration for future design work.

What particular challenges do you think designers have to face these days?

The biggest challenges designers have to face these days are about saving the planet. We have to take our responsibility not only in regards to the type of products we get involved in, but also what material they are made of  and in which way they are made. We are flooded with useless crap today, and as designers we are responsible in a big way.

As a designer, what would you like to accomplish in the future?

We would like to continue to create products that make the world a happier and better place to live.

What do you think is the economic significance of design?

The economic significance of design will get more and more important. Today technology, production and quality are commodities. That means that design is the only competitive advantage left. Design is the foundation in creating a story that is relevant, one that that the customer will find engaging, buy into and listen to.

Innovative: the Jøtul F 373

The Jøtul F 373 is distinguished by its innovative lines and details. It stands on an elegant base and can be turned through 360 degrees, so that the fire can be seen from any part of the room. The big glazed side panels allow an optimum view of the fire. In addition it has the option of fitting an innovative glass pane at the front which reduces the external temperature of the stove front.  Another unusual design element is the décor panels for the side windows, which are available in classical and modern designs. These panels protect walls and furniture from direct radiated heat and also cast charming shadow figures.