DAME Design Award 2015 winners

(November 17, 2015) – The DAME Award Winners and Category Winners for 2015 were announced today at the opening of the METSTRADE show, held November 17-19 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The DAME Design Award is the most prestigious international design competition for new marine equipment and accessories.

The DAME Jury inspected 108 entries from 24 countries. It nominated a total of 51 products from this field for consideration in the final judging rounds.

The DAME Awards brings together many of the important global marine product launches of the year with world-recognised experts in boat and industrial design and construction, industry consultants and experienced end users.

The aim of the competition is to promote and highlight the total use of design throughout a product’s lifecycle, from conception, to manufacturing and experience in the hands of intended users. The Jury also considers overall impact on the marine industry, suitability for intended purpose, the level of innovation, the product’s cost effectiveness and its environmental impact.

The Jury decided a winner for each of the seven categories in the DAME Awards. From these two joint DAME Award overall winners were chosen. The Jury also identified nine Special Mentions (runners-up to the winners that highly merit a commendation).

Regarding the joint winners, the Jury found itself completely at a stalemate in deciding between one of the lowest priced products in the room and one of the more complex entries. In the end there was only one solution – to celebrate the 25th anniversary by awarding joint winners of the DAME Awards 2015.

Here is the jury report on the joint winners:
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SPINLOCK LUME-ON™
The DAME Jury always welcomes rethinking of everyday items of marine equipment, especially when it leads to enhanced safety at a price point that is affordable by all.

Spinlock’s Lume-On is a tiny LED light that attaches underneath the bladder of any lifejacket. When activated, it uses the bladder as a diffuser, turning the whole lifejacket into a glowing light. Designed to work alongside existing lifejacket lights and sold in pairs, the Lume-On’s cleverness of thought, simplicity of application and very accessible cost was widely admired by the Jury.

An excellent joint winner of the DAME Awards, perfectly illustrating the value of design in every detail, however small the item.

HUMPHREE ELECTRIC STABILISING FIN & INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM
The DAME Jury spent some time this year discussing how good design in marine equipment needs to drive better experiences for people afloat as the whole industry seeks to attract new generations. The growing market for stabilisers is clearly an area to watch in this regard and Humphree has introduced a series of valuable improvements with its Electric Stabilising Fin & Interceptor System.

The stabiliser’s 24V DC servo, its 360° rotating fin (to combat anchor walking), its failsafe fin attachment (design to preserve hull integrity in case of a strike) and its full integration with interceptor trim devices would each be worthy of consideration on their own. Taken as a package this is a very impressive piece of technology, involving many design disciplines, that promises a step forward again in comfort afloat. Fully co-ordinating the effort of pitch and trim is a particularly welcome development and expected to lead to much better handling and reduced fuel consumption.

A completely contrasting and equally worthy joint winner of the 25th anniversary DAME Awards.
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Full report on award winners… click here.

All nominated products can be seen here.

The DAME Design Award was initiated in 1991 to promote design across all disciplines and recognise the best-designed products at the METSTRADE exhibition. Now, 25 years on, this special anniversary edition of the competition is as relevant as ever in highlighting the importance of design for all marine products, from function to aesthetics and from packaging to the end product.

The DAME Jury also considers the expected impact on the marine industry of entries, their suitability for intended purpose, the level of innovation, the cost effectiveness and environmental impact.

DAME categories
The DAME jury carefully assesses entries for design in all of its aspects, including aesthetics, usability, build quality, functionality and use of materials. Other factors taken into account are originality and the price-to-quality ratio. The shortlisted products are divided into seven categories:
1. Marine electronics and marine related software
2. Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins
3. Marina equipment, boatyard equipment and boat construction tools and materials
4. Deck equipment, sails and rigging
5. Clothing and crew accessories
6. Lifesaving and safety equipment
7. Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings

DAME JURY 2015
This year’s DAME jury is made up of 10 leading industry experts:
• Mr. Bill Dixon, Dixon Yacht Design, United Kingdom – Chairman of the DAME Jury:
• Mr. Torsten Conradi, Judel/Vrolijk & co, Engineering GmbH, President DBSV, Germany:
• Mr. Japec Jakopin, J&J Design, Slovenia:
• Mr. Dennis O’Neill, Associate Editor, IBI Magazine, United Kingdom:
• Mr. Andrea Frabetti, CEO, Diesel Centre S.p.A, Italy:
• Mr. Jean Francois de Prémorel, Beneteau Groupe, France:
• Mr. Arjen Jansen, TU Delft, University of Technology, The Netherlands:
• Mr. Nigel Calder, Independent technical marine journalist, USA:
• Mr. Patrick Hemp, ICOMIA, United Kingdom:
• Ms. Birgit Schnaase, Innenarchitektin, Schnaase Interior Design, Germany

The DAME 2015 jury was supported by a non-voting secretary: Mr. Kim Hollamby – United Kingdom

About the METSTRADE show
The METSTRADE show is the flagship event of METSTRADE, the world’s leading platform for professionals in the leisure marine equipment industry. The world’s largest trade exhibition of equipment, materials and systems for the international marine leisure industry is organised by RAI Amsterdam in association with of ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations). The METSTRADE show features conferences, events and three dedicated specialist pavilions: the SuperYacht Pavilion, the Marina & Yard Pavilion and the Construction Material Pavilion.

Report by METSTRADE.