DAME Design Awards 2017

The jury for the prestigious DAME Design Awards 2017 has announced that 64 products from a total field of 122 entries have been nominated to enter the final round of judging.

To reach this stage is a notable achievement, one which is acknowledged by the creation of a special DAME 2017 display area during the METSTRADE Show itself.

METSTRADE Show is the world’s biggest and most visited B2B leisure marine equipment show. It will be held in Amsterdam from November 14-16 this year.

The feast of new marine products, innovation and trend-setting technology helps shape the global marine space. For the DAME Awards, products for final judging and shown in the gallery accompanying this story include Raymarine's Axiom, a Groco E-Valve electronic moniting system, Garmin's quatix marine watchm, and an Oceanvolt electric marine power and propulsion system.

Visitors will be able to see the diversity of DAME Design Award submissions at METS, with products that will be used on all sizes of watercraft, from stand-up paddleboards through to superyachts, with equipment prices ranging from under 10 bucks to six figures.

This year’s entry of 122 products from 22 countries shows the continued growth of interest in the DAME Awards. The quality of the entries also continues to increase, says DAME Jury Chairwoman Birgit Schnaase.

"The overall standard has improved again compared to last year’s entries, and there were many items of interest for all aspects of naval architecture, exterior styling and interior design. We have had quite a few detailed discussions on the products themselves and the effect that we think they will have within the future of the marine industry."

NEW AND OLD BOATERTS
Schnaase says the marine sector’s end-users are changing – older and younger generations often have different ideas about what they want from a boat and their marine equipment, with younger people often forgoing their own boat and preferring more accessible products.

"'Wealthier customers’ tastes are diverging even more from those of other users. We are seeing welcome evidence that products are being developed to address these market changes," Schnaase said.,

The DAME winners will be announced during the Breakfast Briefing on the opening day of the METSTRADE Show 2017, which will take place at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre from November 14 to 16.

THE DAME AWARDS
Now in their 27th edition, the DAME Awards promote a wide range of marine equipment design, stimulating everything from aesthetics to functionality, integration to packaging, and price efficiency to lifecycle management.

In its assessments, the Jury seeks to emphasise the importance of design for all kinds of marine products. The DAME Jury also considers the expected impact of the entries on the marine industry at large, their suitability for the intended purpose, the level of innovation, cost, ease of use or installation, and environmental impact.

The overall winner and up to seven category winners are chosen from the nominated entries. Products that do not win any awards outright but are considered exceptional are given a Special Mention.

The shortlisted products are divided into seven categories:
>> Marine electronics and related software
>> Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins
>> Marina equipment, boatyard equipment and boat construction tools & materials
>> Deck equipment, sails and rigging
>> Clothing and crew accessories
>> Lifesaving and safety equipment
>> Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems & fittings

DAME JURY
Several DAME Jury members completed their term in 2016 and were replaced by experts such as the renowned naval architect and boat designer Olivier Racoupeau and multidisciplinary designer Davide Cipriani from Centrostiledesign. Two guest Jury members were welcomed to the panel – Klaus Röder of Carpe Diem Yacht Design and freelance technical journalist David Marsh.

Birgit Schnaase took over the DAME Awards chair from Bill Dixon, who thus concluded his successful time at the helm. Schnaase is no stranger to DAME, having first joined the Jury in 2012, and provided valuable insight from her 22 years of experience as an engineer and interior designer working on notable yacht, aircraft and house interior design projects.

This year’s DAME Jury is made up of nine leading industry experts:
>> B. Schnaase, Schnaase Interior Design, Germany – chair of the DAME Jury
>> N. Calder, independent technical marine journalist, USA
>> P. Hemp, ICOMIA, United Kingdom
>> Dr A. J. Jansen, TU Delft, the Netherlands
>> J.F. de Prémorel, Beneteau Groupe, France
>> O. Racoupeau, Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design, France
>> D. Cipriani, Centrostiledesign, Italy
>> K. Röder, Carpe Diem Yacht Design, Germany
>> D. Marsh, technical marine journalist, United Kingdom

More at DAME Awards and METS.