With your characteristic machine design, Harro Höfliger breaks new ground.
Thomas Starczewski, Product Designer and Managing Director of the agency designship in Ulm
The design was developed in a team and reflects my 25 years of machine design experience and the creative, knowledgeable input of my staff members. The faceted and clear geometric shape results from the realization that design elements from this canon of forms will not become optically boring in a short period of time. Longevity is a very important aspect in the design of machines. Moreover, such a design can also be implemented economically.
What inspired this machine shape?
The design concept of the PMK and MKC is based on the idea to offer the viewer a clear, distinctive and well-arranged overall appearance. This creates trust and visualizes innovation.
First and foremost, one expects that production machines function reliably and are easy to operate.
Why shouldn’t production machines also look good? One does not exclude the other. Good design is always the sum of a multitude of optimizations. A good-looking machine also scores points on an emotional level: Modern, clear machine design communicates quality and value, and also the expertise of the company.
Representative from designship and Harro Höfliger receive the IF Gold Award.
How can the new design contribute to functionality?
In order to create a good, functional design, existing ways of thinking must be questioned and, if necessary, changed with a view to product optimization. A holistic design development process involves people, handling, ergonomics, production methods and processes, and many other aspects. Design that reconciles emotion and pragmatism contributes directly to product optimization.
It all started with a combination of PMK and MKC. Can the new design language be transferred to all Harro Höfliger machines?
Already during the development of the new design, we examined the possibilities of transferring the new style elements, the Visual Keys. I can assure you, it works.
Your machine design was recently awarded the coveted IF Gold Award and the Red Dot Award.
We are very pleased to have received this awards. It confirms the trust that Harro Höfliger has placed in designship. It motivates us and shows that we have taken the right path with our design philosophy, the designship method.
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Photos: designship, Helmar Lünig