The »Design Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen« is one of the oldest and most respected design institutions in Europe. It is domiciled in the boiler house of the Zollverein coal mine, which was nominated by the UNESCO in 2001 as World Cultural Heritage. As coordination point for professionals in culture, architecture and design from the entire world, the Essen Design Centre North-Rhine Westfalia is also one of the most active design institutions.
Its function is to promote science, research and education in the field of design. The Design Zentrum fulfils this goal by exhibitions in Germany and abroad, lectures and counselling on design-related themes and questions, as well as arranging international congresses on the theory and history of design. The logo of the Design Zentrum designed by Otl Aichler was the godfather of the legendary „red dot award“ run by the Design Zentrum. To distinguish between the logo of the Design Zentrum and the trademark of the competition the communication designer Kurt Weidemann revised the „red dot“ trademark. Under the auspices of the red dot the competition circled the globe. And ultimately, in the year 2000, the communication designer Peter Schmidt of Hamburg was commissioned by the Design Zentrum to give the competition a brand profile with international impact and clarity. The red dot was created and consistently re-established as brand. The two competitions for product design and communication design were merged under the name red dot design award.