In a remarkable achievement at the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2026, Samsung Electronics’ “Expressive Design” approach, centered on human-focused design, saw all 16 of its entries recognized. Among these, the Bespoke AI Laundry appliances received the Best of the Best award, showcasing how home appliances can transform into design elements that enhance the aesthetics of a space.
Samsung Newsroom engaged with designers from the Digital Appliances Business to explore the evolution and importance of home appliance design.
(Clockwise from top left) Jichang Kang, Giryeong Park, Euigyun Ko, Yunkyung Kang, Jinsun Park, Seungwook Seo, Sungjun Kim, and Hyerin Park.
Uni-Body Aesthetics for Everyday Living
The Bespoke AI Laundry appliances illustrate how home appliances can seamlessly integrate into users’ living spaces. By applying a uni-body design across its lineup—including separate washers and dryers, vertically integrated models, and all-in-one combos—a unified design language is created.
The Bespoke AI Laundry appliances feature a harmonious design with a unified front in a single color, material, and finish (CMF) that blends into any space.
Q. What led to the adoption of a uni-body design across this year’s Bespoke AI washer lineup?
Jinsun Park: Samsung’s uni-body design concept is a strategic move to establish a consistent brand identity across appliances. This approach ensures a consistent aesthetic across form factors, enhancing the atmosphere as furniture. It also aligns with Samsung’s ESG vision by improving repairability and extending product lifespan.
Jinsun Park of the Living Design Group, DA Business, outlines the design concept behind the Bespoke AI Laundry appliances.
Q. The Bespoke AI Combo features key structural changes. How did you collaborate with the R&D team to incorporate these?
Jinsun Park: The Bespoke AI Combo was designed for users with limited space, requiring the full performance of a standalone dryer in a compact washer-sized form factor. This was a significant design challenge.
In collaboration with the R&D team, we refined pump placement and assembly structures for the auto dispenser, securing additional capacity within the compact layout. For the lint filter, we ensured easy front access while maintaining a seamless aesthetic by minimizing visible gaps and joints.
The Bespoke AI Laundry appliances feature a uni-body design that fits naturally into any space.
After refining the hardware, the focus shifted to the interface. With appliances becoming more intelligent and laundry functions more diverse, the aim was to simplify and make the user experience more intuitive.
The Bespoke AI Combo and its 7-inch full-touch display.
Q. What was the key consideration when designing the UX for the 7-inch full-touch display?
Yunkyung Kang: The challenge was balancing more information with simplicity, as additional features can complicate usability. We utilized 2D and 3D visual elements, such as images and animations, to help users intuitively understand the product’s status without prior learning.
Yunkyung Kang of the UX Design Group, DA Business, explains how complex laundry information is translated into intuitive animations.
Beyond its sleek exterior and user-friendly design, the Bespoke AI Laundry appliances incorporate a sustainable production process.
Q. How did applying technologies such as No Spray make a difference in achieving sustainable design?
Sungjun Kim: Traditionally, adding color involved multiple processes, leading to waste and high energy consumption. We adopted film-laminated metal and coil-coated methods, which involve direct printing on steel sheets and applying films. This streamlined process reduces waste and delivers premium metal textures while considering the working environment and safety.
Sungjun Kim of the CMF Design Group, DA Business, describes the implementation of eco-conscious CMF technologies.
Designed To Care for Your Everyday Life
Receiving the Best of the Best award, Samsung has shown how home appliances can become partners in everyday living, thoughtfully considering users’ lives, spaces, and the environment. Samsung plans to continue advancing design innovation with AI to ease household chores, combining functionality, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility.
The two products honored with the Best of the Best distinction were the OLED TV S95H and the Bespoke AI Laundry series. Fourteen additional products were named winners, including Music Studio 5, The Movingstyle, Bespoke AI Refrigerator Family Hub, and others.
