디자인 평가항목을 적용한 정수기 제품디자인 개발에 관한 연구: 독일 레드닷 디자인 어워드 평가항목을 중심으로

Purpose This study originated from industry-academic cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises aiming to enter the water purifier market. The goal of the research is to develop product designs utilizing the evaluation criteria of design awards. Methods First, the study analyzed the types of domestic and international design awards and their respective evaluation criteria. Second, a functional and structural analysis of water purifiers was conducted. Through desk and field research, the design characteristics of competitors' products and differentiation strategies were summarized. Third, the concept for the new water purifier design was set by dividing it into 6 categories reflecting the evaluation criteria of the German Red Dot Design Award. Fourth, based on this, three design proposals were developed, followed by a design review session with eight experts. The design that received the best evaluation was finalized and submitted to the Red Dot Design Award. Results The final design submitted was selected as a winner in the Product Design of the 2020 Red Dot Design Award. The design was positively evaluated by the judges in the areas established as the design concept during the development process. Conclusion It was confirmed that utilizing the evaluation criteria of design award in the design process has a positive impact on winning awards. However, the limitation of this study is in not incorporating user feedback during the design development process. Nonetheless, it is expected that this design process can serve as a foundational resource for manufacturers and designers aiming to participate in design award programs.