The GOOD DESIGN awards, founded 60 years ago by architects Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, and Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., were announced this week by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

For 2009, The GOOD DESIGN Awards were judged in New York by an international jury of design professionals,

architects, experts, and cultural leaders. In the past, GOOD DESIGN juries have been held in Reykjavik, Iceland, Mexico City, Mexico, Helsinki, Finland, Barcelona, Spain, Los Angeles, and Milan.

The 2009 Jury in New York included: Roger Duffy, Partner, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, New York; George Beylerian, CEO & Founder, Material Connexion, New York; Yama Karim, Principal, Studio of Daniel Libeskind, New York; Juulia Kauste, Executive Director, Finnish Cultural Institute, New York; Joseph Mac Isaac, President, Knoll International, New York and Anke Strolmann, Anke Strohlmann Design, New York.

"GOOD DESIGN has immediate public recognition for the best new design produced worldwide. For the public, it's the seal of approval," said Christian K. Narkiewicz-Laine, museum president, The Chicago Athenaeum.

The 2009 awards were given to over 500 designers and manufacturers among thousands of entries from 35 countries based on function and aesthetic, but with a new emphasis for environmental sustainability and green design. Winners included Karim Rashid's Koncord Stool, 2008-2009 for Furniture; Knoll Luxe Proenza Schouler, 2008, for Textiles; Alessi Disco Volante Tray, 2008 for Tabletop; Nespresso Citiz Coffee Machine, 2007-2009 for Household Products; Herman Miller Twist Ardea Light, 2007 for Lighting; Maya Romanoff Meditations™ Wallcovering, 2007-2009 for Wallcovering; Whirlpool GREENKITCHEN, 2007-2008 for Appliances; Waterworks Stratum Collection by Shelton Mindel, 2007 for Bath and Accessories; Shigeru Ban's "Scale" Retractable Ballpoint Pen and Architect's Scale, 2007-2008 for Tools;

Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and The United States reigned in the number of awards given for the best new product and graphic design. There was a surprise showing for new high-design consumer products coming from Turkey and Brazil.

This year, The United States ranked as the leader in the number of awards with 378 awards in all categories and Germany as second with 250. Italy took the number three position with 116 awards followed by Denmark with 46 and Switzerland with 39. Canada won 22 awards. Brazil, Belgium, and Sweden won 19 awards, while Turkey and France received 18 awards. Austria won 16 awards followed by Spain with 15; Finland and The Netherlands 12; and Norway and Japan 9 awards. Mexico won 8 awards. New Zealand received 7, while the Czech Republic and Australia took 5 awards. Lebanon, Ireland, and Portugal received 4 awards each. The People's Republic of China was recognized with 3 awards. The jury gave two awards to Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, India, South Africa, Israel, and Liechtenstein. Peru and the Isle of Man were bestowed one award each.

“GOOD DESIGN is a truly global program of phenomenal proportion,” said Christian K. Narkiewicz-Laine. “Despite the downturn in the economy and more bleak predictions for the near future, the 2009 GOOD DESIGN program is the strongest program ever, with the largest-ever amount of corporate participation and the best and most substantial design awarded. This might be the beginning that signals the start that corporations and designers are changing their direction toward more sustainable and cost-effective design and less the use of flash and extravagance and a new understanding that the global market for consumer products is highly competitive and that only the strong will survive. “GOOD DESIGN sense,” he continues, “is the only way.”