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Niko wins red dot design award for Mysterious - the invisible switch (1/7/2009)

Leading Belgian lighting and home automation manufacturer, Niko, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year; has celebrated in style by receiving one of the most renowned design awards in the world.

“Exceptional and innovative design”. This is how the “red dot” jury described Mysterious, Niko’s latest switching range. The world’s biggest and most distinguished design competition, the red dot design award is only granted to exceptionally creative, innovative and high-quality products. red dot award: product design 2009.

Niko has been developing switching ranges for decades. With a hard-earned reputation for innovation, the company has continued in this tradition with the introduction of a revolutionary new concept in switches - the truly invisible switch.

Imaginatively named 'Mysterious' this new range from Niko goes beyond traditional switches and socket outlets. With Mysterious, Niko takes the first step towards imagining life without traditional switching material. Mysterious is a range of switches and sockets with an elegant and simple design that can be seamlessly integrated into any wall. When fitted, the switch can be papered and painted like the wall so that only a discreet round edge remains visible. In the dark this outer edge lights up with the warm white glow of an LED lamp arranged in the switch. Mysterious adapts itself to the colour of the wall, just like a chameleon. You can paint or wallpaper it or build it into a wooden or marble working surface.

The switch is multi-functional, with its programme comprising push-buttons with one to four key points, sockets for data and TV connection boxes, and orientation lighting. The design is inspired to allow functionality into carefully designed interiors without detracting from the look of the room. Whatever the style, Mysterious disappears into the walls and provides the most elegant solution yet to hiding 'wall acne'.

Mysterious is the first range of invisible switches ever that can be flush mounted seamlessly, architects, interior designers and clients can be confident that the switches will blend perfectly with the look of a room. After mounting, only a discreet circle remains visible. In the dark, this circle lights with a soft and warm white glow of the LED lamps hidden behind the switch.

With more than 11,000 submissions from 61 countries, the international “red dot design award” is the largest and most renowned design competition in the world. It is divided into the “red dot award: product design”, the “red dot award: communication design” and the “red dot award: design concept.” The award-winning products are put before an international public in the red dot design museum. Niko's Mysterious was awarded the prestigious “red dot award: product design"

Each year an international jury reviews and evaluates the submitted products according to criteria such as degree of innovation, functionality and the formal quality. This ensures the seriousness of the competition and its international acceptance. The group of jurors is made up of renowned designers and design experts from all over the world who reach their decisions on which designs are good enough to receive a red dot award independently and impartially. The constellation changes from year to year and guarantees a high degree of objectivity and reliability.

The jury’s selection criteria are:

Degree of innovation
Functionality
Formal quality
Ergonomics
Durability
Symbolic and emotional content
Product peripherals
Self-explanatory quality
Ecological soundness

The award is as a seal of quality; it stands for membership of the best in design and business. After 90 years, its good to see that Niko continues to play at the top of its game and to lead the field.

Together with the other award-winning products, Mysterious will be on display from 30 June to 26 July 2009 in the exhibition “Design on stage – winners red dot award: product design 2009” at the red dot design museum on the premises of the ‘Zeche Zollverein’ World Cultural Heritage Site. With approximately 1,500 products on more than 4,000 square metres, the red dot design museum houses the largest permanent exhibition of contemporary design worldwide.

www.niko.be
www.red-dot.de