Two projects in the spotlight

Only 89 of over 1,600 products submitted worldwide received the Red Dot Award's highest accolade in 2025: "Best of the Best".
WILDDESIGN was called to the stage twice.

• ‍Aesculap®SQ.line® Laparoscopic Clip Applier
• Polaris operating light for Dräger

Two different products that have one thing in common: They are used in the operating room - one of the most demanding areas of application in medical technology. And they were developed in the spirit of human-centered design - by interdisciplinary teams who worked closely with users and consistently focused on their needs.

We see design awards as the fruits of a structured development process

In MedTech, product development often takes several years - from the formulation of user needs to market readiness. The award-winning solutions are no coincidence, but the result of consistent collaboration - in accordance with human-centered design and the medical design process.

This structures the path into clearly defined phases - from analysis and ideation to the validated solution. The focus is on people: user research, interviews, simulations and prototype tests ensure that design doesn't just look good - it works.

Understand. Design. Implement.
This creates solutions that are also convincing in everyday clinical practice - and survive on the market.

Best of the Best, the first stroke

Aesculap® SQ.line® Laparoscopic Clip Appliers - The extra mile to perfection

Surgical instruments should not stand out. They should work - precisely, reliably, naturally. The new Aesculap® SQ.line®Laparoscopic Clip Appliers do just that. And that is precisely why they were awarded the Red Dot: Best of the Best - including 98 out of 100 possible jury points.

The products were created in close cooperation between the in-house team at B. Braun Aesculap AG and the WILDDESIGN team in Gelsenkirchen - the result of a design "from the inside out" that makes no compromises in terms of technology or ergonomics.

The focus was on a common aspiration: to go the famous extra mile to achieve perfection.

Technology that disappears in your hand

The Aesculap® SQ.line® platform was developed for precise and reliable laparoscopic vascular occlusion. Ergonomically designed instruments with reduced pressure points and integrated overload protection allow surgeons safe, comfortable and low-fatigue handling.

The system consists of a universal handle that is suitable for a wide range of hand sizes and can be combined with all available shafts - including the Aesculap® DS Clips® system. Clip cartridges and rotation knob are color-coded for intuitive, self-explanatory identification. The modular system architecture is provided with B. Braun brand-typical design features and supports clear recognition.

The push button is a key operating advantage: It allows the clip applicator to be disassembled into three components. When reassembling, internal metal elements produce a precise acoustic click - a high-quality haptic and auditory experience. The handle is made of stainless steel and PEEK - for durability, robustness and consistently precise feedback, even after repeated use.

Development with surgical precision

"The biggest challenge was to get every detail perfect - from finger guidance to reprocessing," says the team. Numerous prototypes and iterative loops were tested, discarded and optimized - always in direct consultation with surgeons and developers. This was the only way to achieve a balance between function, ergonomics and tactile quality.

The Aesculap® SQ.line® Clip Appliers are aimed at one of the most demanding target groups of all: surgeons who have to rely on their instrument for every procedure. This is precisely why the demands were so high.

Jury verdict: A natural extension of the hand

"The Aesculap SQ.line® clip applicators inspire with perfection in materiality, ergonomics and functionality. Mechanical stability, tactile feedback and a reduced, functional design interlock in such a way that the instrument is experienced as a natural extension of the hand."

A tool that doesn't stand out. Because it does everything right.

Best of the Best, the second strike

Dräger Polaris - Brilliant light for brilliant work

When every second counts, people need technology that provides intuitive support. Polaris, the new surgical lighting system from Dräger, designs precisely this interface: with light that works without raising questions. Polaris combines advanced lighting technology with a design that confidently meets the requirements of one of the most complex working environments.

Ideal lighting conditions are crucial for safe and efficient patient care in the operating room. Polaris creates a homogeneous light field, offers excellent color rendering and, with its innovative 3D shadow compensation, ensures that objects that cast shadows are automatically masked out - for constant brightness throughout the operating field.

At the same time, Polaris offers maximum flexibility: the light can be controlled on the panel by touch, by wall operation or directly on the sterile handle. The design of the user interfaces and operating elements was developed and repeatedly tested together with the hospital staff - for intuitive, safe and convenient operation.

Design and technology - consistently from a single source

The design follows an evolutionary approach. Building on the predecessor model, a clear, familiar design language has been further developed - with a focus on hygiene, ergonomics and intuitive guidance. Slender shapes, seamless surfaces and recurring design motifs create a calm appearance - ideal for providing physical and emotional relief in the hectic daily routine of the operating theater.

In the iterative development process, interdisciplinary teams of design, technology and usability experts worked closely with clinical users. Continuous feedback and numerous prototypes helped to translate technical complexity into comprehensible interaction. Polaris thus became a modular system that can be flexibly adapted to individual OR procedures and offers consistent user guidance.

Jury verdict: Polaris is an example of highly functional medical technology with a sophisticated, user-centered design. The surgical light impresses with a clear design language that makes technological excellence visible. Functions such as 3D shadow compensation, modular adaptability and intuitive operating concepts are integrated for immediate comprehension. The superior appearance boosts confidence and shapes the visual identity of modern operating room environments.

Design awards are not an end in themselves - but a marker for a design-conscious corporate strategy

A design award in medical technology not only recognizes high aesthetic quality. It shows: The design was well thought out, developed in a structured manner and consistently focused on people.

Red Dot, iF & Co. are visible markers for strategic design - and they make a direct contribution to value creation on three levels:

Perceived quality & willingness to pay.
Excellent design adds value to a product. It increases credibility and makes higher price levels on the market plausible.

Visibility & market impact.
Design awards generate attention, strengthen brand perception and provide effective points of contact for communication. This supports the market launch and promotes differentiation.

Trust & user experience.
Especially for complex MedTech products, awards stand for excellent usability. They create trust among specialist staff, reduce training costs and increase acceptance - both in everyday use and in strategic purchasing decisions.

Red Dot Gala in Essen - together on stage

On July 8, 2025, the winning teams received their awards at the Aalto Theater in Essen. It was a special moment when project partners, developers and designers were able to take to the stage together - and the success became visible to everyone. Not just for the product. But for the "how" behind it.

Conclusion: Eight prizes. Two lighthouses. A strong signal for medical technology.

The successes of 2025 show what is possible when medical expertise and design methodology are systematically combined. When brands like Dräger and Aesculap® are prepared to use design as a strategic tool - and put the user at the center.

We would like to thank all our partners and customers for their trust - and our project teams for their exceptional commitment. The awards are well deserved. And we look forward to everything that lies ahead.

Because good design doesn't happen by chance. It is created together.

Here are the links to all the award-winning projects:

German Brand Award in Gold: Sartorius Product Design

Case study: Sartorius Strategic Corporate Product Design

‍

IF Design Award: Magnosco, Magnos AI-assisted dermatoscope

IF Design Award: ICA Traveller CLX

‍

‍RedDot Winner Innovative design : Advos BK 300 from Advitos

Red Dot Winner Product design: Advos BK 300 from Advitos

‍RedDot Winner Product design : AesculapSQ.line® KERRISON Bone Punches

Red Dot best of the best: Dräger Polaris surgical light

Red Dot best of the best: Aesculap® SQ.line® Laprascopic Clip Appliers

‍

Click here for the interviews with the "best":

Red Dot best of the best: Dräger Polaris surgical light

Red Dot best of the best: Aesculap® SQ.line® Laprascopic Clip Appliers