Thule has been awarded the prestigious title of Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2024. Since 1988, this honor has been given annually to a team that consistently demonstrates exceptional innovation and quality. The Thule design team now joins the ranks of esteemed previous winners such as Braun, Sony, Apple, and Philips.
Thule, the well-known Swedish brand for outdoor adventure and lifestyle products, has been awarded the Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2024. This honor highlights Thule’s dedication to innovative design, functional excellence, and a deep understanding of its customers’ needs.
Founded in 1942, Thule has a rich history spanning over 80 years. It started with a simple hook-shaped pike trap for local fishermen and evolved into producing outdoor gear for families, athletes, and enthusiasts. Today, Thule is a global leader within the outdoor industry. Thule’s design philosophy encourages people to embrace their passions—whether it’s skiing, biking, running with kids, or simply living life to the fullest. Thule’s products seamlessly integrate with each other, creating a cohesive and visually appealing collection. The brand sells not just products, but a lifestyle of adventure and exploration.
In recent years, Thule has refined its design approach, ensuring that product aesthetics align with the brand’s identity. By establishing an in-house design team, Thule maintains consistency and authenticity in all its creations. This approach results in a timeless yet modern design that communicates sophistication and professionalism, resonating deeply with both consumers and employees.
A landmark achievement for Thule
Thule’s recognition as Red Dot: Design Team of the Year is a testament to the collective effort, creativity, and high standards of it design team.
“With the title ‘Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2024’, we recognise Thule’s remarkable achievement to seamlessly combine design and brand management. The products and the brand embody functional and emotional values and stand for safety and trust, which are clearly visible in the product design and brand communication. Thule’s unwavering commitment to developing products that prove their outstanding quality in countless tests and everyday use is exemplary in the industry. Thule’s commitment to sustainable design is also commendable.
This attitude reflects a deep understanding of the evolving needs of consumers. The recognition of Thule’s exceptional design ethos underlines the company’s central role in shaping future design innovation”
Professor Dr. Peter Zec, founder and CEO of Red Dot
Consumer-centric design
Thule shows its dedication to customers through active engagement and communication. By focusing on functionality and understanding the diverse needs of its users, Thule creates products that enhance lives and enable memorable adventures. These products allow consumers to take their whole family and all their essentials with them, making the products Thule’s most important communication asset. As Thule looks to the future under new leadership, the brand remains committed to its core values and the relentless pursuit of excellence. With a team driven by passion, innovation, and a deep connection to nature, Thule continues to inspire adventure-seekers worldwide.
“We are incredibly humbled and pleased to receive this title. Aesthetics is about representing Thule. It’s about creating a recognizable identity that resonates with our audience and embodies the values we stand for.”
Henrik Eriksson, Global Design Director at Thule Group
“When brand and design go hand in hand, the sum becomes greater than the parts and it creates an amazing sense of pride and ambition in a company.”
Tina Liselius, Vice President Brand at Thule Group
Record-breaking success at Red Dot Awards 2024
Thule has been a successful participant in the Red Dot Award since 2011, winning distinctions for products ranging from backpacks to roof racks to strollers. In addition, they were honored at the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design in 2019 as “Best Outdoo Brand” for their overall brand appearance.
In addition to being named Design Team of the Year, Thule has achieved a record-breaking haul of twelve Red Dot Awards in 2024. These awards span a diverse range of categories, highlighting Thule’s versatility and dedication to quality. The honored products include:
Thule Urban Glide 4-wheel stroller: Awarded the Red Dot: Best of the Best, this stroller is celebrated for its minimalist design, superior functionality, and exceptional comfort for both parents and children.
Thule Alfi, Thule Elm and Thule Maple car seat: Dock, lock, go! We have created a car seat that is easier than ever to install on the ISOFIX car seat base. The modular car seat uses the innovative DropZone technology –drop the seat down onto the base and twist it into place. The digital display lets you know that the seat is correctly installed. Just dock it, lock it, and you’re ready to go!
Thule Allax dog crate: The Thule Allax dog crate is the perfect choice for safe and comfortable car rides with your four-legged friend. Designed for realworld situations, it is thoroughly crash tested and has an innovative crumple zone that provides superior protection for both passengers and your dog.
Thule Urban Glide 3 all-terrain stroller: Thule Urban Glide 3 all-terrain stroller is the perfect from birth companion for active parents. This lightweight side-by-side stroller has roomy and individually adjustable seats and easily passes through doorways.
Thule Caprock roof platform: Thule Caprock is a rugged, yet stylish roof platform designed to support all your adventures. With its modular design and endless possibilities for attaching a rooftop tent or accessories, this sleek roof platform will support all your gear and mounts to a host of vehicle types, with or without crossbars.
Thule Outset towbar-mounted tent: Thule Outset is a towbar-mounted tent that is made to elevate outdoor experiences and offer unparalleled comfort and ease of use. Elevated from the ground, Thule Outset provides a great camping environment. The unique design allows for a swift setup at ground level with easy access for everyone, including children, seniors, and pets.
Thule Epos bike rack: Thule Epos bike rack fits all types of bikes and is fast, easy, and convenient to use thanks to an innovative telescopic bike attachment system. You can load and unload up to three bikes in any order – all types of frames and geometries are supported, including ebikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and bikes with fenders and racks.
Thule Chariot Sport 2 double bike trailer: The bike trailer for athletes and their kids. The modular bike trailer and jogging stroller in one, made for training in all seasons and easy commuting. Made to make training safe, easy, and fun, Thule Chariot Sport 2 double lets you experience easy transitions between cycling, strolling, and running.
Thule Motion 3 roof box: Thule Motion 3 is the successor of the world’s most-sold roof box, Thule Motion XT. Building on Thule Motion XT’s award-winning design, we have given the new version a sleek aero silhouette and an integrated handle, improving the aerodynamics over the previous generation which was already class-leading.
PR Contact: Sam Begg – sam@aspirepr.co.uk
