MHP, Studio F. A. Porsche, and Panasonic win iF DESIGN AWARD 2025

• MHP and Studio F. A. Porsche team up with Panasonic to develop the digital interface for the ALPHA set – a washing machine and tumble dryer in the luxury segment, combining unique aesthetics with intuitive ease of use
• The innovative round user interface is magnetically attached and can be effortlessly detached
• The iF DESIGN AWARD 2025 in the category “Product and User Interfaces” proves the impressive combination of aesthetics and usability

Ludwigsburg – “The designers understood very well that an appliance like this is made to be used, and the more intuitive and hassle-free its operation, the better.” That is the jury’s verdict on the new, highly convenient user interface from electronics specialist Panasonic Appliances Washing Machine (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., which was developed in conjunction with the management and IT consultancy MHP and Studio F. A. Porsche.

The designers have now received the iF DESIGN AWARD 2025 in the category “Product and User Interfaces” for the successful symbiosis between maximum user-friendliness and outstanding aesthetics. The official ceremony – the iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT – was held on April 28, 2025, at the Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin.

Markus Wambach, Group COO at MHP, congratulated the team: “The prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD impressively confirms our position as a global player in the design world. This international recognition not only underlines our innovative strength but also honors the exceptional skill and commitment of our design team. We are once again setting standards in the premium and luxury segment. My special thanks go to the colleagues whose passion made this success possible.” 

Designing today what will be successful tomorrow

The starting point for Panasonic’s collaboration with MHP and Studio F. A. Porsche was the electronics company’s desire for users to be able to intuitively control the appliances in its luxury line. Moritz Papenfuß, Head of Design at MHP, explained: “In our partnership with Studio F. A. Porsche, excellent design is the result of a deep understanding of the users’ needs. This is how we produce groundbreaking solutions that also stand out in the premium and luxury segments. Good design is a fundamental and enduring competitive advantage for our customers.”

With this in mind, the designers came up with a round interface based on a tachometer design, encased in a high-quality stainless steel housing that is magnetically attached to the appliance, creating a seamless visual transition and helping to produce a minimalist and deluxe overall impression. Users can now control the washing machine and tumble dryer either by voice command or alternatively via the rotary control on the detachable display. Its ergonomic shape makes it comfortable to hold and permits intuitive control of the appliance – for maximum everyday convenience. The interface systematically guides users through a three-level menu for the individual program settings. The washing cycle is then visualized in an easy-to-follow and emotional manner using text, pictograms, color accents, and other appealing, graphic elements. 

Design with intuition and empathy

“In every interaction, we want to inspire people with our extraordinary attention to detail and a high degree of understanding of the context of use. All elements have been carefully designed for the special interface in order to reduce complexity, present information in a clearly structured manner, and communicate status changes concisely,” said Marcel Tobien, manager and interaction designer at MHP.

Niclas Bauermeister, manager and interaction designer at MHP: “Our design language inspires people on an emotional level. We seamlessly merge the analogue feel of a product with digital interaction. People sense this symbiosis. It is the all-embracing premium experience that ultimately makes an impression on our customers. The success motivates us to continue to push boundaries and develop products that are not only functionally stunning, but also emotionally inspiring.”

About the iF DESIGN AWARD

The iF DESIGN AWARD is one of the world’s most prestigious awards in the field of design. It has been presented annually by the nonprofit iF Design Foundation since 1954. To this end, 131 jurors from the international design scene in 23 countries appraise the best and most outstanding designs. In 2025, they evaluated almost 11,000 entries from 66 countries.