The Vision Behind Flasher: How Georg Wanker’s Design Philosophy is Shaping Urban Mobility

Georg Wanker’s journey in industrial design is not just about creating functional products—it’s about shaping the future through design that improves lives. His approach to design is rooted in one central belief: design is a tool to solve real-world problems and make the world a safer, more efficient place.

In his presentation, Wanker shared the story of Flasher, a product that represents the culmination of this philosophy. However, it is not just the product itself that stands out, but the vision behind it. For Wanker, every design starts with a simple question: How can we make life better for people? This question, combined with his deep understanding of both technical engineering and human needs, led to the creation of Flasher, a revolutionary turn signal for e-scooter riders. Yet, Wanker’s true focus lies in the broader impact of his work, in how design can shape urban mobility, enhance safety, and transform the way we interact with our environment.

Flasher received BIG SEE Product Design Award in 2024.

Wanker sees industrial design as a responsibility—one that goes beyond aesthetics or trends. “Good design isn’t just about making things look nice; it’s about making them work better, safer, and more intuitively for the people who use them,” explains award winning designer. His design philosophy is driven by a sense of duty to create products that address real issues, whether it’s making transportation safer or improving medical diagnostics. His work, from the Flasher to the ILO Breath Analyzer, showcases this commitment to solving problems with thoughtful, practical solutions.

“Industrial Design is a strategic consulting service – not an arty act of creation”
Georg Wanker

Flasher, while a great achievement in itself, is a part of Wanker’s studio GWID ongoing journey to redefine what design can do. For him, the real power of design lies in its ability to affect change—whether it’s by making cities safer for cyclists or creating products that improve lives in ways we can’t always anticipate. Each project, no matter how different, is united by one central principle: design should always strive to make the world better.

Through Wanker’s lens, design is about possibility—the possibility to solve problems, improve safety, and create a lasting impact. His work is a reminder that great design does not just fulfill a function; it has the potential to transform lives, cities, and industries.