Comments of the jury

Consisting of Augustin Scott de Martinville, Elric Petit and Grégoire Jeanmonod, the designer threesome formed in Lausanne in 2004 goes by the name of BIG-GAME. The trio can already look back on a notable career. They stand for a youthful and refreshing design idiom, notable both for its functionality and for its playful approach – one that succeeds in redefining the Swiss design quality that everyone talks about. With their consistently unpretentious designs of furniture, objects, interiors and exhibitions, the well-connected threesome succeeded in making waves well beyond Switzerland at an early stage. The acquisition of their works by prestigious institutions – like the Museum of Modern Art in New York or the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich – reflects their success, as do the famous names now featuring in BIG-GAME’S customer portfolio. Their clients and partners include not only conspicuously well known European brands, but Japanese companies as well. It is surprising and gratifying that in spite of all their success, and the resulting work load, the designers still continue to teach at ECAL (the Lausanne University of Art and Design) and are happy to pass on their experience to the younger generation of designers. The work of BIG-GAME has crossed the international image of Swiss design, while at the same time enriching it. The Merit award should encourage these talented designers to continue as they have begun.