The best designers of the red dot design award 2007 in interview: Christian Bökenkamp, Frank Placke and Matthias Stahl

The fact, that high-quality design is able to raise everyday objects into the status of a cult or luxury object was demonstrated by Miele with this year’s winner of the “red dot: best of the best”, the fridge-freezer KFN 8998 SE ed. We interviewed the Miele designers Christian Bökenkamp, Frank Placke and Matthias Stahl.

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

Inspiration: The yogurt past its use by date in the dark corner of my old fridge… more light!

Intention: To improve the conventional 12V fridge light, also called construction site light. To create more evenly distributed light and thus more overview as well as an appetising and friendly atmosphere.

What does receiving a red dot: best of the best mean to you?

We feel confirmed in our work and rewarded for our efforts.

What are from your point of view the special challenges that designers face today?

The speed and know-how of technological development.

What would you still like to achieve as designers in future?

More red dot awards …

What is, in your opinion, the economic significance of design?

Design gives products a soul thus making them identifiable and desirable.

According to Miele, the fridge-freezer is designed as a luxury class product: firstly the freestanding appliance is striking because of its imposing appearance and its design, as purist as it is functional. The whole surface of the appliance is made of brushed stainless steel, it’s shape clearly contoured. A central, two-part display at the top of the door tells the user the current temperatures in the fridge and freezer sections. The functional handle is well-designed for use and gives the appliance a traditional component with its similarity to archetypal American fridges.

However, the real innovation is the inside of the appliance: a special lighting system based on LEDs gives the larder area a classy look and is also practical when it comes to locating small food packets or tasty snacks. All the glass sheets used for shelving are lit from behind, so that the cut edges glow brightly and the individual storage areas are visibly clearly delineated. Lighting in the inside of the door and the vegetable keeper provide all-round even and dazzle-free lighting throughout the inside of the appliance.

The fridge-freezer has an overall capacity of 422 litres. An automatic ice maker ensures you always have plenty of ice and underlines the appeal of the appliance.

With the new fridge-freezer, the Miele design team have managed to concentrate on the essentials and the next stage of the functional-innovative development of a well-known but not yet old product concept.