Since joining Electrolux in November 2004 Henrik Otto has embarked on a mission to make design one of the forces that powers the evolution of Electrolux into a leading global appliance brand. Henrik Otto’s vision is that Electrolux shall be the industry shaper.
Currently, Henrik Otto heads up one of the most significant appliance design teams in the world – an organization of more than 100 designers in seven countries on four continents. He oversees and directs the design process for more than 30 product lines in the kitchen, floor care and professional categories.
Henrik Otto began his design career at Swedish-based automotive giant Volvo Car Corporation, where he rose to Vice President of Design before joining Electrolux. Over the course of his 20 years in the profession, Otto has been awarded countless design accolades and peer acclaim.
At Electrolux, Henrik Otto has been driving the company’s latest design initiatives to a new level, with involvement in projects as the company’s leading design coach. These include Ergorapido (known as Pronto in North America), a cordless 2-in-1 combination lightweight stick vacuum with a detachable hand-held unit for instant cleaning; War on White, a campaign focused on working actively with the fashion and interior design industry to evaluate the introduction of patterned and coloured appliances, and the company’s new Global Design offering; introducing an entirely new design vision behind all major appliances produced in Europe, and soon, in other geographies.
Henrik Otto believes that good design is opinion making and that bland design is meaningless. No one shall be unmoved by the products and there should be a story behind every product. Products should deliver form, functionality and be customer friendly. As a part of Electrolux global brand strategy, Henrik Otto believes that, design should make consumers all over the world recognize Electrolux products.
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Has Electrolux put into production any of the Design Lab winning designs from previous years ?