The annual awards aim to make both the non-professional and the professional public aware of the expressive results of creative works in the design area. There were eight main categories (graphic designer of the year, product designer, garments designer, fashion photographer of the year, vendor and producer of the year, breakthrough of the year and a special category The Hall of Fame). The winners weren’t chosen by a jury but by the Academy, which consists of professionals: design committees, critics, theorists and publicists, all those who have been engaged in design for a long time but who do not practice it on a regular basis.
The festive event of choosing was preceded by nominations similar to the ones at the Academy Awards. A total of 50 chosen designers or, more precisely, their products, appeared on the best-of-the-best list. Nominations came as no surprise in the dedicated in-group quarters. All eight categories involved the most active persons and companies active in Czech design. It’s necessary to add that the Czech designer world is small; even so, however, it is able to offer something as well as to have some reputation.
Ladislav Sutnar, for instance, is a recent pioneer in graphic design, especially in the utility area. His is still a highly reputable name and an example for contemporary artists. His breathtaking versatility ruled even over New York City. Not only construction sets for children, tea services, glass drink-sets, but also book design carried Sutnar’s distinct mark from the ’30s to the ’50s. Thus, contemporary artists truly have someone to follow.
The Side2 studio, which created the logo for the Czech Republic, was dubbed best graphic designer. The logo arose from a contest declared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its victory brought differing reactions. The pioneers of modern color design faced the sticklers of the conventional Czech symbols. The logo is prominent and easy to remember. Critics reproach it for not reflecting the country’s identity.
Tomáš Machek, one of the logo’s creators, explains: “We didn't make it conventional on purpose, partly because the use of traditional national symbols is limited by valid law, and partly because we are convinced of their small information potential.” More is to be found in our interview.
The big name of the 85-year-old Ladislav Lachman is one of those awarded that are definitely worth mentioning. “Mr ETA,” as he’s known to his colleagues, entered The Hall of Fame as the very first for his lifetime contribution to the Czech industrial design area. His name is, outside the design world, nearly unknown. However, almost every Czech and Slovak household was equipped by products bearing his name. Czechs may recall the classic ETA 402 Jupiter vacuum cleaner or the staircase-shaped hair dryer. Lachman was also a pioneer in the area of ironing; he designed (the very first of its type) the ETA 211 angular iron.
”Young designers ride a green wave. They lack neither the rear area nor the equipment; they’ve got computer technology and sponsors. So let’s go, toil, move it!” Lachman said in addressing his successors at the Czech Grand Design ceremony evening.
Jiří Pelcl is another name often to be pronounced by the Academicians thanks to his numerous nominations. He acquired a lead in the Product Designer Awards for his Vicenza beverage glass set and for his Bohemia White dinner and beverage pottery service.
The decision of the Design Academy of the Czech Republic is meritorious. It made the general public aware of an original part of culture that affects the whole of society, while being watched almost exclusively by professionals.
Who are the winners of the first Annual Design Academy Awards of the Czech Republic, called the Czech Grand Design in 2006, then?
The winner of the Product Designer of the Year Award was Jiří Pelcl, nominated for the Vicenza beverage glass set designed for the Bohemia Crystal Trading a.s. company.
The winner of the Garments Designer of the Year Award was Muset Fashion Design, nominated for both of this year’s collections: XXY and The Shoe Stories.
The winner of the Graphic Designer of the Year Award was Studio Side2, nominally Tomáš Machek, Luděk Kubík and Karel Haloun.
The winners of the Fashion Photographer of the Year Award were Štěpánka Stein and Salim Issa, nominated for their series of fashion pictures for Muset Fashion Design and Sisters conspiracy. The pair was furthermore nominated for its photographic series in BLOK magazine.
The winner of the Product of the Year Award was Moravské sklárny Květná / sklářská huť Klára, nominated for a collection of designer glass.
The winner of the Vendor of the Year Award was Qubus design, nominated for its support of Czech design and for its regular presentation abroad.
The winner of the Breakthrough of the Year Award, sponsored by Česká spořitelna, was Petr Korecký, nominated for his Do tmy tea set and for his Rustafara lights collection.
The 2006 Hall of Fame inducted Stanislav Lachman, nominated for his life’s work and contribution to Czech design.
The Grand Designer 2006 Award was won by Jiří Pelcl for having the highest number of nominations in multiple categories. The Grand Designer will become the author of the prizes for the winners of the next volume of the Annual Design Academy Awards 2007.
In connection with the Czech Grand Design prize declaration, an exhibition takes place in Uměleckoprůmyslové muzeum in Prague from February 27 through March 4. The persons concerned may buy a supporting catalogue (Czech Design Guide) with all the nominees’ works featured.
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CZECH SIBERIA
"Czech Siberia" is the nickname of an area of hilly countryside only a few kilometers south of the capital city of Prague. The area is as cold as if it were located 200 meters higher, because of the frequency of temperature inversions in winter.