Swift Basecamp wins prestigious Red Dot Design Award
The Swift Basecamp has won one of the world’s most famous design awards – the prestigious Red Dot.
The innovative crossover camping vehicle has been a major success since launching in 2016, with production being doubled after a sell-out first year.
The East Yorkshire-based Swift Group is Europe’s No1 brand for leisure vehicles and the UK’s biggest manufacturer of caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes.
Smaller and lighter than a standard caravan, Basecamp can be towed by less powerful cars and was designed with climbers, cyclists and other outdoors adventurers in mind.
Now it takes its place among the world’s most innovative product design as a 2018 winner of the hallowed Red Dot – an internationally recognised seal of design quality.
Winners of the Red Dot Awards 2018 will this summer feature in “the world’s largest exhibition of contemporary design” in Germany.
Basecamp was awarded for the ‘high design quality’ of its interior.
This honours what was the biggest challenge when designing Basecamp – creating a comfortable living area and storage solutions with only limited space.
Swift’s Design Director Chris Milburn says designers had to be both clever and creative.
The Red Dot Awards 2018 received more than 6,300 entries from 59 countries. Products were judged by an expert panel on innovation, functionality, formal quality, ergonomics and durability.
The founder of the awards said as well as good design, all the winning products are
“characterised by outstanding functionality”.
Award reaffirms Swift’s design heritage
James Turner, Swift Group Managing Director, said: “As a British manufacturer we are proud to have been recognised in these prestigious global awards that celebrate the world’s best design.
“Swift has been at the forefront of design and technology throughout its history – from developing our intelligent construction system, SMART, in 2012 through to putting control at people’s fingertips with Swift Command, our smartphone and tablet app for controlling lighting, heating and other leisure vehicle functions.
“The Red Dot reaffirms our long-held commitment to design innovation – and showcases the talent and creativity of our design teams.”
Chris Milburn, Swift Group Design Director, said the award shows there’s an appetite for innovation among leisure vehicle buyers.
“With Basecamp we completely reimagined the caravan. Our designers were tasked with thinking outside of the box to develop a product that would complement life’s adventures – from the mountainside to the lakeside.
“The smaller interior space demanded real creativity from our designers – and this award commends their efforts. Above all, it highlights opportunities for innovative and exciting products in the leisure vehicle market.”
Award winning interior
Basecamp is seriously spacious. The kitchen and washroom, with built-in shower, lead to the cosy living area with curved roof and large panoramic window for stargazing in bed. Add the fuss-free inflatable awning at the rear to extend living space.
Clever storage, including removable locker bags, makes use of all available space. Wide rear door, foldaway seating and anchor points mean bulky sports kit can be easily and safely stowed.
At night, the foldaway seating quickly converts into two singles or a king-size bed.
Designers ‘on the right path’
Professor Dr Peter Zec, founder and CEO of the Red Dot Award, said: “Success in the competition is proof of the good design quality of the products and once again shows that companies are on the right path. When I speak about good design, I am referring to more than just an attractive product. All of the products are characterised by outstanding functionality.”
Basecamp will be honoured at the Red Dot Gala and in an exhibition at the Red Dot Design Museum, both in Essen, Germany. Red Dot calls this “the world’s largest exhibition of contemporary design”.
A special Red Dot Design Yearbook will also showcase all winners, while details of them can be found online at the Red Dot website.
