Gerhard Nüssler has worked as chief designer for BSH Hausgeräte GmbH since June 2003. Initially responsible for the design of the Neff and Constructa brands, he has been in charge of the global brand design of Siemens Hausgeräte since October 2009.

Can you briefly introduce us to BSH Hausgeräte GmbH?
BSH Hausgeräte GmbH is the largest home appliance manufacturer in Europe and one of the world's leading companies in the industry. With its outstanding brands, innovative products and first-class solutions, BSH's mission is to continuously improve the quality of life of people around the world.
In addition to the global brands Bosch and Siemens as well as Gaggenau and Neff, the brand portfolio also includes the local brands Thermador, Balay, Profilo, Constructa, Pitsos and Coldex.

Why is BSH a corporate member of the IDZ, and what personally motivated you to become involved as an IDZ board member?
One advantage of membership in the IDZ is obvious: For Siemens Hausgeräte, a brand that stands for design quality like no other, User Experience (UX) is in a very special focus. Since the IDZ also attaches great importance to the topic of UX, we are convinced of a promising partnership for both sides.

I would like to use my membership in the board to promote the importance of design in society together with the IDZ and to make the value contribution of design in and for companies even more visible.

What was the best experience in your professional life so far - the best project, the best client? What are you proud of in your business?
Before I joined BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, I worked for many years in Alexander Neumeister's office. Here I was able to gain valuable experience and work on outstanding projects such as the ICE3 or the Munich subway. The experience gained in these major projects is very valuable to me today in the management of a home appliance brand within the multi-brand group BSH.

The numerous design awards that we have won with the brand in recent years, most recently the German Design Award 2020 in Gold and the Iconic Design Award 2020 - Best of Best, for example, reflect the design competence of the Siemens Home Appliance Design Team. I am proud that I have been able to develop this team to this size over the last ten years.

What is your current inspiration?
I am particularly looking forward to March 9, 2020, when we will be hosting the Siemens Design Award ceremony at the Haus der Kunst in Munich for the third time: Under the motto "Visions that work", participants from four exclusively invited design universities as well as young professionals have submitted their concepts and prototypes. The theme of the competition is the question of how to combine high performance with physical and mental health. In this context, we are calling for solutions to be developed on how people can live sustainably without having to sacrifice anything in their everyday lives.

A top-class jury has selected eleven finalists from the submissions. They will present their work at an interactive event on March 9 and the winners will be chosen in the evening.

(from the February 2020-Newsletter)