Papanek Foundation

Design, if it is to be ecologically responsible and socially responsive, must be revolutionary and radical in the truest sense. It must dedicate itself to... maximum diversity with minimum inventory... or doing the most with the least.

These prescient words were written 40 years ago by Viennese-born designer and thinker Victor J. Papanek and published in his influential book Design for the Real World. While many have been inspired by Papanek's plea for responsible and humane design, many more have ignored it. Yet as we face unparalleled social, economic, and environmental challenges, Papanek's words are more timely and urgent than ever.

DESIGN FOR THE REAL WORLD REDUX 
is an international design competition that solicits entries from established, emerging, and student designers of projects that uphold Papanek’s vision of environmental and/or social responsibility.

Submissions were solicited in two categories: “Designed Objects” and “Social and/or Ecological Infrastructures and Design Concepts.”

A total of 92 submissions were received from 20 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States.

From these submissions the jury selected 17 projects — 4 winners of the Victor J. Papanek Social Design Award and 13 finalists — which will be exhibited in Vienna at the University of Applied Arts Vienna (November 10, 2011 – January 31, 2012), and in New York at the Museum of Arts and Design, and/or the Austrian Cultural Forum New York (March 6 – June 17, 2012). A fully-illustrated catalogue will be produced to accompany the exhibition.

The 2011 Design for the Real World Redux competition was judged by an international panel that included representatives of the sponsoring institutions and leading experts in the field: Gerald Bast (President, University of Applied Arts Vienna), Allan Chochinov (Partner, Editor-in-Chief, Core77), Alison J. Clarke (Professor, Design History and Theory/Research Director Victor J. Papanek Foundation, University of Applied Arts Vienna), Holly Hotchner (Director, Museum of Arts and Design), Ronald Labaco (Curator, Museum of Arts and Design), David McFadden (Chief Curator, Museum of Arts and Design), Katarina Posch (Associate Professor, History of Art and Design, Pratt Institute), Fiona Raby (Principal, Dunne and Raby), Stefan Sagmeister (Principal, Sagmeister Inc.), Andreas Stadler (Director, Austrian Cultural Forum New York), and John Thackara (Founder and Director, Doors of Perception). These dedicated jury members spent weeks previewing entries online, and were involved in many long discussions about the submissions. After a review of all the entries and long debate they were able to come to a final decision.

The Museum of Arts and Design in New York, the Victor J. Papanek Foundation at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, and the Austrian Cultural Forum New York are proud to announce the four winners of the Victor J. Papanek Social Design Award and the thirteen competition finalists of the inaugural Design for the Real World Redux competition supporting environmentally sustainable and socially responsible design.