The German Design Awards are presented by the German Design Council (Rat Für Formgebung), an international organization whose purpose is to showcase the value of design across business, the environment, and society as a whole. The organization awards designs that highlight its purpose and change perspectives. The German Design Award rewards ideas that follow the philosophy and strategically enhance a product or brand. Hiroshi Tsunoda and Ariane Fine Porcelain collaborated to create a new perspective on an everyday set of items — fast-food containers. Seeking a classic, refined look for the items, they wished to create a view that would change how people perceive everyday items, while also bringing a focus on sustainability. They turned the figures of single-use containers into durable and refined pieces of porcelain that hold the classic foods we enjoy. In 2025, the German Design Council recognized the tableware for its sustainability focus and awarded the products the esteemed “Excellent Product Design” designation.
German Design Award
Hiroshi Tsunoda - Ariane Fine Porcelain
What is the German Design Award?
Designing and Prototyping
Many iterations have gone into creating the final design. These mockups allowed them to see the idea take shape physically, identify what worked well in the design, and identify any issues early in the process. They needed something both iconic and practical, and these prototypes gave them a clear view of their vision—and what they wished to see more of for the final product.
The Interview
Hiroshi Tsunoda was interviewed about SlowFast after winning the German Design Award for “Excellent Product Design”. He was asked questions regarding how SlowFast’s name, which is said to have come from the idea of enjoying “fast-food” at your own pace. Despite the contradictory words, they merge to embody the tableware's entire purpose. Hiroshi was also asked about the process of creating SlowFast. He details how the product is created, highlighting the long production process. “From the beginning, my idea was very clear, but the making of the idea into something tangible, like a product, was challenging.” Working with the technical team from Ariane, they reviewed a variety of prototypes to determine how to bring the idea to fruition. They wished to evoke the feeling of eating fast food without feeling “cheap” by providing durable, reusable tableware. Hiroshi noted the importance of the process in ensuring that the design could be enjoyed for a prolonged period. HTDS and Ariane Fine Porcelain supported each other and have since continued to collaborate on different tableware products. They built a long-standing relationship with Ariane’s quality porcelain and with HTDS’ design process to create intriguing and beautiful products.
