Danish Design Prize 2004 awarded to Type 2250

Brüel & Kjær has received the Danish Design Prize 2004 for their new Hand-held Analyzer, developed in cooperation with users in four countries

Sound and vibration is often measured under difficult conditions – anywhere from narrow inspection shafts to the tops of tall chimneys – and often at night. Brüel & Kjær, therefore, decided to involve 70 professional users from four countries in the development of their latest Hand-held Analyzer Type 2250.

The result is a completely new design with well thought-out functions, making it easy and reliable to use, even under extreme conditions. It is precisely this combination of user-friendliness, superior ergonomic design, and innovative technology that explains why His Royal Highness Prince Frederik, patron of the Danish Design Centre, presented the Danish Design Prize 2004 to Brüel & Kjær and designer Steve McGugan.

The professional users involved in its development set many requirements for the new generation of sound analyzers. Besides providing a series of intelligent solutions to users’ practical problems, the new analyzer can be securely held and easily operated using only one hand. Its display is easily read under all conditions – from bright sunshine to total darkness. Customers can also choose whether their analyzer is supplied as an off-the-shelf standard model or one adapted for specific technical requirements.

“If we are to maintain our position in the market, we must focus more and more on the needs, requirements, ideas and dreams of our customers,” says Thomas Kønigsfeldt, Marketing Manager at Brüel & Kjær.

“That is why we involve our customers to a greater extent in the development of our products. Input from users is vital to us – not only for the development of individual products, but also for our strategies and marketing.”

Brüel & Kjær Sound & Vibration Measurement A/S has 900 employees, 500 of whom work in Denmark. The majority of its production, over 90%, is exported. And the reaction to the first presentations of Type 2250 held abroad indicates that the company has ensured yet another export success.

Experience Type 2250 “live” on an interactive tour available on www.type2250.com.

The Jury’s Statement

"Sound Level Meter with Outstanding User-interface"

This Sound Level Meter combines outstanding design and ’state of the art’ technology. With the Type 2250 Hand-held Analyzer Brüel & Kjær have gone the full nine years and fully met the expectations to a market leader. A coherent design expression and ergonomics at its best without aesthetic compromise. Evident in exquisite detailing, which is also testimony to good choices in terms of materials and manufacturing processes. A user-interface that lives up to the ambitions of being easy, safe and consistent to operate. The design is clearly influenced by the users who have, laudably, been at the centre of the design process. Thus, the user may choose to buy the product ’off the shelf’ or in a version adapted to specific desires and requirements. The result is a sound meter that pushes the envelope for potential requirements to instrument design. It is nice to handle, has a simple and straightforward user interface and is practically hard to put down.