Design Prize Switzerland: Starting a new era
Handover in Langenthal: Michel Hueter, Raphael Rossel and Urs Stampfli are stepping down at the end of 2021 and transfer management of the Design Preis Schweiz. With Benjamin Moser, a native of Langenthal, Debora Biffi and Thomas Walliser, a new generation will take over the reins of the prize and lead it into a new era.
Benjamin Moser, editor-in-chief of Wohnrevue magazine, will become the curator of the Design Preis Schweiz from 1 January 2022. «We want to preserve what is good and dare to do something new,» he says, looking forward to the new challenge, which he will take on together with his partner Debora Biffi and Thomas Walliser, successful publisher of the magazines Modulør, Wohnrevue and Edelweiss Travel Magazines for ten years.
«We are very happy that, with the new sponsorship, we have found a team, which is in an ideal position of taking the prize into the next era,» says Urs Stampfli, outgoing president of the Design Preis Schweiz association. Michel Hueter, who shaped the development of the prize as curator for ten years, commends: «Benjamin, Debora and Thomas know the Swiss design industry from a wide range of perspectives, thanks to their previous activities, they are very well networked and enjoy great support among all the prize›s target groups».
The transferring sponsorship had campaigned for the prize as a team and in different capacities since 2011. Raphael Rossel, media officer since 2012 and vice-president of the Design Preis Schweiz association since 2018, sums up the joint work: «The prize is very well positioned as an indicator of the Swiss design industry and has a sustainable and viable network thanks to strong partnerships.» After 10 years now, it is the perfect time for the old management to step down and make room for something new.
Benjamin Moser›s team will continue to run the Design Preis Schweiz in Langenthal within the existing framework and biennial rhythm. Like the departing sponsorship, it is also relying on the capital of the Design Preis Schweiz in the form of «excellence», «know-how» and «network». In the long term, it wants to expand the continuous, nationwide communication around the award winners, the network and the partners of the Design Preis Schweiz.
