Red dot award

The 'red dot' award is one of the most prestigious design awards in the world, and has been awarded for outstanding design achievements since 1955. With over 10,000 submissions from 60 countries a year, this is the highest international recognition in design, and the competition, whose reputation continues to grow, is among the largest. The 'red dot' is an award which has gained reputation and recognition due to the organisation of the competition and impartiality of jurors, who are leading design experts.

The competition is divided into three categories: product, communication and conceptual design, which are assessed separately. These three categories are further subdivided, and each is assessed by selected jurors. The internationally recognisable red dot is a seal of top quality in design. Alpina competed in the category of product design, in which there are every year more than 3,500 submissions from more than 50 countries.

The international jury assess product design according to the following criteria: degree of innovation, functionality, ergonomics, self-explanatory quality, formal quality, ecological compatibility, durability, symbolic and emotional content, and product periphery. The product design category includes diverse products, which are divided into thirteen sub-categories, ranging from automobile industry products, industrial tools and interior design, to games, sports equipment and fashion. To receive the 'red dot award' means to be among the best, and internationally recognised by the design community. The winners are announced at a formal presentation ceremony, which is accompanied by the opening of an exhibition of the winning entries and a yearbook presenting all the winners.

Good design

The Good Design Award is the oldest and at the same time of the most important design awards, which was established in 1950 by Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames and Edgar Kaufmann.

The American Design Award is awarded by the Chicago Museum of Architecture and Design: The Chicago Athenaeum together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

The awards are given for the best products in the area of industrial and graphic design. The international panel of experts had especially searched for and awarded innovatively, creatively, ecologically and technologically developed products, which contain human, universal and responsible design. The award recipients included the best world class producers and design studios.

Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany

The Design Award is sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and was given for exceptional international achievements in the field of product design as the »Federal Prize for Good Form« for the first time in 1969. Since 2006, it has been presented annually under the name »Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany« and is given for outstanding achievements in the fields of product and communication design, as well as to a celebrity from the world of design. What distinguishes the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany from other competitions is that it offers the business community a platform for communicating the long-term success of designs and brands. Its unique feature is that participation in this competition is possible only for design items that have already won an award elsewhere. This ensures that only those industrial products and such achievements in the field of communication design will be honoured as have already proved their design excellence in the market place. For the Design Award the two creative disciplines of communication design and product design are judged at the same time – and in a single process. The independent jury, which is formally convened by the German Federal Minister of Economics, is composed of established experts in both disciplines.

No other Design Award sets its entrants such a strict criterion. Because of this the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany is known as the “Prize of Prizes".

Red dot design award 2010 for cross country ski boots Alpina Promise

About the cross country ski boots Promise

With their rich tradition, know-how and innovation, Alpina’s top shoemakers proudly present a brand new and innovative shoe that is closely linked with the history of cross-country skiing and its future. Owing to its design, materials and production technology, the shoe is almost completely degradable. It has excellent technical and thermal properties, while being waterproof and breathable. The last is comfortable and adapts to a multitude of foot shapes.

The simple and straightforward design highlights its functional character; a generic shape, it can be used as a men’s, women’s or children’s model. Promise promises a pristine connection with nature, and is the right shoe for all who enjoy gliding through unspoilt snowy landscapes on their cross-country skis.

Red dot design award 2009, Good design award 2009 and Deutschland designpreis Nominee 2011 for Binom shoes

About the Binom shoes

The idea to design Binom shoes was based on the fact that Alpina strive to manufacture high-quality footwear that fits perfectly. One of the key features of Binom shoes is that they fit different shapes, as they are available in four different volumes in one size, and have a special insole which enables adjustments according to the height of the arch, and different volume adjustments for the left and right foot. In this respect, Binom is unique, and is the result of several years of studying the varying shapes of human feet and extensive measurements. Findings have shown that the comfort of a shoe largely depends on how the shoe fits the area between the toes and the arch, an area called the metatarsus, which defines the width of the foot and the height of the arch. Before buying a pair of shoes, the customer's feet are first scanned with a laser, enabling them to purchase shoes which fit perfectly and provide perfect comfort. Binom casual footwear is available in several models for men and women, and interesting colour combinations. The footwear is innovative, practical, high-quality, ergonomic and durable. It also embodies Alpina's vision, which has put the company among the best in the world in the development, design and manufacture of footwear.

Red dot design award 2008 and Good design award 2009 for cross country ski boots Alpina ECL and ECS

About the Elite racing cross country ski boots ECL and ECS

The Elite racing Alpina cross country ski boots are designed for cross country and biathlon racers. A revolutionary innovation in the manufacture of top quality cross country ski boots is represented by special overboot cover with minimalistic and clean design, innovative lacing system and specifically shaped footbed area. The overboot covers the shoe completely. Like tight lining, it surrounds the boot from the sole to the top of the upper edge. The single piece of overboot is made of waterproof elastic material and as such adapts to the various foot shapes and sizes. Boots excel a strong and firm heel grip to ensure a snug fit, great rigidity, good torsional and lateral stability and therefore provide more direct force transmission from foot to ski and ensure more efficient skiing with less effort.