THE CIRCULAR SWITCH
“Why do light switches have to be square? Is it really necessary to continue to uphold this system concept evolved as far back as the 1960s?”
This and other questions were pursued by Konstantin Grcic within the framework of a Merten workshop. And he came to the conclusion that a "circular" break with the "square" system permits
the formal designation of a function as the popular German designer denotes "power outlet/electricity" as angular and “switching” as round.
THE CIRCULAR SWITCH
iF product design award 2008 The iF design award has been a solid, well-known trademark of excellent design since its introduction in 1953. This year, 2,292 submissions from 35 countries were assessed over three days by the jury at the trade fair centre in Hanover.
Merten was awarded for the XXL switch M-SMART Jumbo and for the circular switch designed by Konstantin Grcic.
DESIGN PLUS 2008 Design Plus is a competitive award for outstanding product design among exhibitors at light+building. Today this prize, given by Messe Frankfurt, is one of the leading design competitions in Germany. For some twenty years it has symbolised a high standard in aesthetics and functionality. It has established itself as a seal of quality for technical innovations with a high level of design.
Design Plus is given in recognition of products characterised by maximum formal beauty, further technical development and everyday utility value.
iF product design award 2008
DESIGN PLUS 2008