Aalto Theatre in Essen, outsideAalto Theatre in Essen, people in entrance hall, various shotsAalto Theatre in Essen, people in the theatre

Welcome speech by Prof. Dr. Peter ZecGuitar player: Victor SmolskiBallet Sleeping Beauty: dancing scenes on stageAward ceremony on stage, handing over the awards, different shotsPeople clapping hands, various shotsLaudation by Wolf D. Prix, star architectAwards handed over to Chris Bangle an his team

What does this award mean for the BMW Design team?“Yeah, I’m very proud, for the team all their work. I wish everybody could be here today. There is over 400 people involved in the BMW Group Design from MINI, Rolls Royce, BMW cars and motorcycles, the 'M' products and of course the Designs Work. I wish they all could all be here, they deserve this award.”Why did the BMW Design team get this award?“I think, we have a enormous amount of mutual respect, we have an enormous amount of love for our product, passion for what we're doing. I think, that put together gives an environment of love that creates good design, and that’s what you need. Maybe that is special.”What has changed in terms of design between 1992 and today?“If anything, cars have learned they can be emotional and functional as well. You don't have to be afraid of emotion. We can take our customers into a future where we solve the problems and at the same time give them a great identity with their brands, great cars to drive and motorcycles to ride, great products to use and at the time not lose ourselves into a mechanical world, but stay extremely human. And I hope that part of our lesson learnt out of our great BMW tradition is, we are very human.”

What is the red dot design award?“I think the red dot design award is one of the most prestigious international design awards. The participants come from all over the world, and the special thing is that the jury as well comes from all over the world. Companies and designers are very delighted if they receive a red dot award because it's not so easy to receive it. The jury is always very tough.”Why did the BMW Design team get this award?“It's not just one car that they design and take it over to all the other brands, but they respect the different brands, and they always create something new. And they find followers. I think this is the best compliment a designer can get, if he finds a follower who respects his work.”

What is the strength of the BMW Design team?“Therefore I like that Chris Bangle always mentioned his team, because without his team he wouldn't be there where he is, and I wouldn't be there where I am if my team wasn't so good.”

Designers' night: museum outsideBMW MINI, various shotsBMW 3 series coupé, various shotsred dot signMuseum inside: Design Car X coupé, various shotsParty and BMW motorcycle F 800BMW motorcycle G 650BMW motorcycle HP 2Museum outside at night, with moon