Nigerian, Bode Oluwa, Rules Product Design World

Segun Atanda/

A Nigerian international designer, Bode Oluwa, has won the global Red Dot Design Award 2017 in the Product Design category.

Described as an enthusiastic and highly motivated designer who adapts fresh aesthetic and technical attributes to design, Oluwa was honoured at Essen’s Aalto-Theater, in Germany, for inventing new ways of advancing technology and comfort of footwear and accessories.

The best designers and manufacturers of 2017 were given their awards at the Red Dot Gala, following a record number of entries to the competition comprising more than 5,500 products from participants from 54 countries.

Professor Peter Zec, founder and CEO of Red Dot, hosted the evening and welcomed numerous guests onto the stage, as he thanked the 39-member jury.

The globally influential design award was established in 1955 by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany.

It comprises three categories: Product Design, Communication Design, and Design Concept. Designs which have been productized within the preceding two years are eligible, and are assessed according to nine criteria, including innovation, functionality, ergonomics, ecology and durability.

Oluwa’s work history on his profile shows that he has been involved in design/development performance running/cross training shoes for China domestic and international markets; leading statement football boot design; entry-level football boot design 500,000+pairs (one style); football equipment design and bag accessories design; and he designed soccer accessories for China in the last world cup.

His products are also showcased in the critically acclaimed movie ‘Shaolin Soccer’.

Oluwa was with Puma International London between 2004 and 2005.

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