Our mission
Deciphering whether a product embodies genuine innovation or merely shimmers with marketing hype is the aim of the Design & Innovation Award. A task that we doggedly pursue so that ultimately you get a better ride, and that you’re able to work out what equipment and what products are the right ones for your ride.
Our responsibility
Since the Design & Innovation Award was set up in 2013, our intentions have considerably exceeded those laid out by other award events – even those with a far lengthier history such as the Red Dot Award or the IF Design Award. The Design & Innovation Award is the only award where the newest products are not only discussed, but also tested and assessed by an experienced team of riders, designers and engineers within one event.
Our effort
2 weeks full of in-the-field testing, nightlong discussions, countless hours in the workshop and in front of the laptop – over 6,000 working hours have flowed in the testing process and the preparation of the award results!
Our victims
Snapped chains, cracked frames, broken wheels, punctures and worn out tires. In the name of science, we’ve pushed the latest products (and sometimes ourselves) to the very limit – and often beyond.
Our advantage
Only those who have the big picture in mind can do great things, evaluating products in their context and making well-informed recommendations. The Design & Innovation Award is the only award that targets both the consumer and the industry, offering unique insights into the status quo and actively shaping trends. No other magazine or trade fair can offer this.
Our team
We understand that behind the greatest awards there needs to be an even greater team. That’s why the Design & Innovation Award is not only fed by the collective experience of ENDURO Mountainbike, E-MOUNTAINBIKE and GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine, but also by groundbreaking discussions from within the bike industry as well as new perspectives from non-endemic brands.
Our location
Kronplatz / St. Vigil – Dolomites offers an incredibly diverse range of mountain bike routes and alpine roads. From bike park to alpine trails, legendary alpine passes or lonely gravel roads in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage – what more could you ask for?
Design & Innovation Award 2018 Special Issue
Find more information on the Design & Innovation Award 2018 and all awarded products in our special issue in the digital app format. Download the app for iOS or Android to read all articles on your tablet or smartphone.
The articles from the special issue will also be published gradually on the DI.A overview page, head to design-innovation-award.com to learn more about all awarded products.
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About the Author
Robin Schmitt
Robin is one of the two founders of 41 Publishing, a visionary and go-getter. While he now enjoys every second on the bike – whenever his busy schedule allows – he used to race against the clock at enduro events and a few Downhill World Cups. Besides that, Robin practises kung fu and Zen meditation, plays the cello, loves classic cars, travels abroad and still reviews numerous bikes himself. Progressive ideas, new projects and major challenges – Robin loves exploring undiscovered potential and getting to the bottom of new trends.
