For the first time ever, the Taipei Cycle Design & Innovation Awards are to be presented as part of Taipei Cycle 2012 (7-10 March 2012), and one of the focus topics in this competition for good design on two wheels is sustainability and reducing CO2 emissions in the manufacture of cycles and accessories. Martin Kessler, one of Process Zurich’s managing partners, was a member of the five-strong jury assessing submissions in the four categories Cycles, Components, Clothing/Equipment and Accessories. The entries were rated according to such criteria as innovation, environmental friendliness, functionality, safety and universality of design and branding. The competition is organised by iF International Forum Design GmbH under the auspices of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and the Taiwan Bicycle Exporters’ Association (TBEA).

Watch an interview with the jury members here.

The new design of Credit Suisse’s staff magazine made its debut appearance in both print and tablet form at the end of January 2012. Not only is Process responsible for the design and content concepts, we also created the app in-house from the ground up. The new «one» features more white space, richer imagery and a clear structure. Thanks to its bold titles, original illustrations and the use of the circle as a recurring design element, the magazine looks fresh, lively and modern. And it’s not just the look that’s new, the content has been revised too: there is a larger platform for cultural topics and a more personal side of the staff is revealed. There are also novel cross-media connections: QR codes and links will take you to additional information and multi-media content on the new website. Have a glance at the new «one» here.

Two new Brand Consultants who joined Process in January 2012 will be reinforcing our consulting team in Zurich with their experience and expertise. After graduating with a master’s degree in business administration, Moritz Kohler (right) worked as Marketing and Communications Manager for the agency marbet in Germany and a start-up in Zurich. Thomas Volprecht (left) studied product design in Germany before completing a degree in engineering in Switzerland in 2006. For the last 14 years – eight of which were spent in Zurich – he has been Brand Consultant, Management Consultant and co-owner of Wirtschaftsplan, a company where in addition to managing his own client portfolio he also worked as a policy advisor for a number of well-known agencies. We would like to extend a hearty welcome to Moritz and Thomas in their new roles as Brand Consultants, which will involve responsibility for a range of existing and upcoming consulting mandates.

The swiss magazine for architecture, urban development, planning and design «Hochparterre» is taking a close look at the design scene in Lucerne. In its December 2011 supplement Hochparterre is focusing on the initiative «Luzern Design». The supplement portrayes people from Central Switzerland and their work: five designers, three companies and nine products. Peter Wirz, Founder and Managing Partner of Process Lucerne and our LED bulb «Nature» are amongst the chosen ones. Download PDF and read the article in German here.

The «Nature» LED light bulb, which was jointly developed by Process Taipei and the LED manufacturer Justled, has already won numerous awards. It has now also been nominated, along with 34 other creations, for the Swiss Design Prize / Design Preis Schweiz 2011. The winners will be announced at the public award ceremony on 4 November 2011 at the Depot for Design in Langenthal, Switzerland.

On 22 September 2011 Swissnex organised a panel discussion in San Francisco sponsored by the Swiss bathroom specialist Laufen in which American and Swiss experts from the fields of architecture and design debated the theory of the hierarchy of needs, exploring the central question of whether design must first fulfil certain fundamental requirements before it can wow us aesthetically. The discussion was led by chairman Jaime Gross (picture, far right), Senior Editor at Dwell Magazine, with contributions from architect Cary Bernstein (far left), founder and principal of Cary Bernstein Architect, Professor Douglas Burnham (second from left), founder and principal of Architecture + Design, David Hacin (centre), founder of Hacin + Associates Inc. Boston, and Peter Wirz (second from right), managing partner of Process Lucerne.

Swissnex is a joint Federal Department of Home Affairs, State Secretariat for Education and Research and Federal Department of Foreign Affairs initiative. The objective of Swissnex San Francisco is to promote communication and collaboration between Switzerland and North America in the fields of science, education, art and innovation.

You can find out more about this event here.

Shanghai is China’s beating heart. Not content with setting the pace in matters of economic and social development in the People’s Republic, the city is also a major centre for culture and education; there is extensive brand awareness and strong demand for brand consulting, so that’s why we’re opening our latest office here. The new premises are located in the so-called “French Concession” in the middle of Shanghai’s trendy Old Town.

The new team consists of Peggy Chen (left), Lexie Zhang (centre) and Charles Chen (right). Peggy has spearheaded the expansion of Process’ Taipei branch over the last five years, and the new Shanghai office will find her expertise invaluable. Charles dedicated himself to Branding and Communication at Master Kong, China’s largest instant noodle producer, for the past three years, and Lexie will be providing administrative support for the other two. The team will be taking advantage of a lively exchange of ideas and know-how between Zurich and Shanghai to help Process play its part in establishing and expanding the relatively new disciplines of branding and brand consulting in China.

Credit Suisse, Siemens and Suva have all selected Process for their new editorial design projects. In spring 2011, Credit Suisse announced a competition to redesign its staff magazine «One» – a publication which has been designed and created by Process for more than 10 years. Our striking new concept for the design and content, with its complementary tablet-computer edition, helped us to see off four renowned international competitors. We have been chosen to relaunch Siemens’ client magazine «B1» as an online and iPad publication, and our interactive concept’s exceptional content and visual package has been causing excitement right across the board. Work is due to begin on the first edition of the new «B1» in the next few days. Suva’s staff magazine «équipe» has been smartened up with some fresh ideas and a lively and flexible layout. Its relaxed mix of information and entertainment will keep staff up to date and provide insights into the company’s corporate culture.

After the iF Award and the iF Gold Award 2011 (News 10.01.2011 and 18.03.2011) the three showpieces from Kaba are now nominated for the renowned German Design Award 2012. We are proud and happy about all this recognition! The digital lock cylinder, the KeyFob and the reader are the first models of the new formal language developed by Process for Kaba product design. The three elements stand for innovative technical and formal solutions. Read more about our collaboration with Kaba here.

The 2012 German Design Award is organized by the German Design Council and gives the pick of the bunch in product and communication design the opportunity to compete against each other.

Our annual «Wurst und Bier» (Sausage and Beer) event for clients, friends and partners has become a fixture, and this year we played with the slogan «Swiss solidity meets Asian effervescence». Some 180 guests found their way to the «Lagerhaus» in Zurich on 30 June 2011 to raise a glass with us, have a chat and enjoy an early summer evening over sausages, beer and exquisite cocktails. Here’s the 2011 «Wurst und Bier» event in pictures.