The Good Design Award has officially selected the PlayStation 5 as one of its top 100 Good Design products of 2021, and awarded the console with the Good Design Gold Award. Notably, the jury only gives the Gold Award to a select number of particularly impressive products each year. The organization — originally established by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry — highlighted the PS5’s unique and easy to clean design, as well as the ability to recycle its plastic parts.
Previously, the PS4 also won the Good Design Award back in 2014. However, the last-gen console did not receive the Gold Award that year. Interestingly, the jury praised the PS4 for its immersive experiences offered across console and mobile spaces, particularly through the PSN.
On the other hand, this year’s jury praised the PlayStation 5 for its “unprecedented 3D curved surfaces” and unique outer design. The judges also noted how the two outer panels sandwiching the console were removable and “easy to clean”. They also noted that while it initially looked impossible to place horizontally, users could mount the PS5 horizontally using the stand included with the console.
Below is the full evaluation:
Not just gamers, but many people were longing for and excited to see the arrival of this product. It did not disappoint us. The product came into the world with a symbolic and truly emotional appearance made of unprecedented 3D curved surfaces. The logo punched through the panel can only be realized by this unique design that shows the back of the panel. Also, it is easy to clean, as the body is sandwiched between two removable panels. By looking at the form of the side, we thought it could not be placed horizontally; however, it can be mounted horizontally by using a stand attached in the package.
The attached DualSense wireless controller is designed with the same theme, providing a good grip. We cannot say the body of bare plastic with no paint has a sense of luxury; however, this is to simplify the manufacturing process and in consideration of recycling. We believe that the new form of this product which we have never seen in any other product will completely satisfy video game players across the world.
Originally established by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1957, the Good Design Awards select 100 products from around the world every year based on quality and effectiveness. Last year, the company selected the video conferencing program Zoom as one of its Gold Award winners. Nominees can be anything, ranging from railway systems and software to schools and entire organizations.
[Source: Japanese PS Blog]
