On 4 July, everyone who was anyone in international design came to Essen, Germany. In spring, a 41-strong jury had awarded the coveted Red Dot label for good design to the most outstanding products of the year.

Now it was time to pay tribute to the winning creations and the people who made them. The Red Dot: Best of the Best winners were ceremoniously presented with their trophies on the imposing stage of the Aalto-Theater. The Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2016, the Blackmagic Industrial Design Team led by Simon Kidd, had come all the way from Melbourne to celebrate its superbly designed products for the Hollywood film industry.

Following the presentations, the 1,800 guests enjoyed an evening of dancing and networking at the Designers’ Night in the Red Dot Design Museum in the midst of awardwinning innovations. The award winners of the Red Dot: Best of the Best were honored on 4 July 2016 in the course of the Red Dot Gala, hosted by Professor Dr. Peter Zec in the Aalto-Theater in Essen.

The founder and CEO of Red Dot welcomed distinguished guests on stage, among them Red Dot jury member Kristiina Lassus, automotive design legend Ken Okuyama and Transrapid designer Alexander Neumeister. Dressed in a traditional white tuxedo, the Red Dot president also welcomed the Lord Mayor of Essen, Thomas Kufen, on stage, who immediately invited the award-winners – all international top designers and highranking company representatives – to the Essen town hall the next day. Illustrious guests from 39 countries followed the proceedings on stage as the laureates received their trophies.

Tremendous applause went, amongst others, to Flavio Manzoni, chief designer at Ferrari, and Sean Carney, chief designer at Philips. Only 79 products were awarded the greatest single distinction, the Red Dot: Best of the Best. The gala was rounded off with a cultural fringe program that included an appearance by violinist Beatrix Low-Beer and the Aalto Ballett Essen.