An interview with Carlos Hinrichsen

Carlos Hinrichsen is jury member of the red dot award: design concept 2009. From 1998 to 2003, the acting Icsid President was head of the DuocUC Design Center and has been an honorary member of the Chilean Association of Design Firms QVID since 2002. red dot reveals Carlos Hinrichsen's insights on the adjudication for red dot award: design concept 2009.

red dot: What are you looking forward to or expecting at the red dot award: design concept adjudication?

Carlos Hinrichsen: I would like to see how this award showcases the concepts, and becomes a catalyst for new possibilities in terms of products and services in the global design arena; offering new opportunities for young designers in the current market. As I noted before, the red dot design award and especially the red dot award: design concept is internationally recognised as a great platform that is most helpful to those wishing to thrive in business spheres driven by design and innovation.

red dot: Why is the red dot award: design concept important in these times, during a recessionary global economy? 

Carlos Hinrichsen: I strongly believe it allows seeing new possibilities as well as new trends and potential beyond the current opportunities. In my view, this award will gradually have a strong influence on the design industry and market, where many usually follow the winners or leaders. This phenomenon gives a great boost to development in this area, because the selection criteria are clearly defined and explicit, and there is an integration of innovation, design and technology that is of great relevance to human beings.

red dot: All jury members are from different nations. Can you give us an insight into the culture of design and product innovation in your country regarding, for example, governmental programmes, education and designer mindsets?

Carlos Hinrichsen: In the Latin American context, a hundred years ago, some of the most relevant countries in this region, such as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Chile, had a level of development equivalent to the currently most relevant economies in the world, and actively participated in the global market. 

However, as global development progressed, these countries were unable to keep up a favourable performance, and nowadays many countries in the region are in the lowest positions in the global competitiveness ranking. Despite the almost 57 years of presence of design in Latin America, the design industry and market has only begun to be more active in recent years, when each country has been successful in implementing a number of design and innovation initiatives.

I think that in the coming years we will develop appropriate practices with innovation, design and improving quality of living as central elements. I hope new products, service models, and design experience will emerge as a result of the opportunities for design that right now are hidden behind the issue of the current global environment.

To view Carlos Hinrichsen's juror profile click here.

For more information on the red dot award: design concept 2009 click here.