The hall at the Danish Design Centre was full to capacity when the recipients of the Danish Design Prize 2008/09 were revealed, and the DDC's patron, HRH the Crown Prince handed out the prizes to the proud and happy prize-winners.

The 15 prizes fell into the following categories:

• 12 Danish Design Prize
• 1 Vision Prize
• 1 Classics Prize
• 1 Designmatters Prize

The Danish Design Prize
A common quality of the 12 prize-winners as well as the criterion for receiving The Danish Design Prize is that the prize-winning companies have created innovative products and graphic design solutions characterised by a high aesthetic and technical quality that help stimulate the use of design in Danish businesses.

The design prize was awarded to innovative and user-oriented solutions with an emphasis on quality of life, sustainability and social relations. For example, the prize-winning solutions include a stair lift for people with disabilities that can go around corners, a hearing aid that is virtually invisible, sustainable furniture design, a food service programme for senior citizens, and digital design solutions that accommodate future users' behaviour.

The Vision Prize
Madeleines Madteater received the Vision Prize for a concept that is innovative, not just in a Danish context but worldwide. The ultimate experience, concept and food design.

The Classics Prize
The Classics Prize went to RABO for the RABO Trike 1 - a three-wheeler for children, which has been in the market without design changes since the early 1970's. An uncompromising and robust design and a genuine classic.

The Designmatters Prize
The Designmatters Prize goes to a small or medium-sized enterprise that has made a serious effort to incorporate design and achieved a positive effect on the bottom line. The recipient of the Designmatters Prize 2008/09 was Hansens Flødeis, which has achieved convincing results in a matter of only five years with design as an essential element in its business strategy. This family business has seen considerable growth both in Denmark and abroad, much of which can be attributed to a brand that has been created via the strategic use of design.

Managing Director Christian Scherfig, DDC, says,
"The prize-winners represent a high level of quality and innovative strength. As the Danish Design Centre sees it, good design is created when a company manages to take advantage of the functional, social and economic potentials inherent in the use of design. Design creates value and helps stimulate innovation and growth in Denmark. A growing number of companies are becoming aware of this."

Exhibition and catalogue
The prize-winners are featured in the catalogue The Danish Design Prize 2008/09 and in an exhibition that opens to the public on 6 November 2008 at the Danish Design Centre. The exhibition will remain on display until 4 January 2009.

Press photos are available from http://foto.ddc.dk