These three pictures are of objects you might not expect to see at the world’s biggest electronics trade fest. They’re here to teach the geeks visiting CeBIT something about “good design”, or more specifically in this case “Universal Design”.

The objects are on show at the stand of International Forum Design, a respected design group that hands out awards at CeBIT every year. Universal Design is a school within IFD which promotes the design of objects in such a way that they can be used by everyone, young and old, fit or not.

The sink, (top left) although it doesnt shout it from a distance, can be used easily by people in wheelchairs. The bowl (right) has a clever rim which allows even people with shaking hands to scoop up the vermicelli in their soup. The measuring bowl (bottom left) can be read from the top, so you no longer have to lift it above your head to read it and risk spilling egg yolk down your neck.

The radio (also left) falls into the same clever category, says Thomas Bade, a Universal Design partner from hannoverCare. It’s not just retro to be retro, but the big tuning knob is the perfect intuitive user interface. It’s a pity that grandpa and grandma never realized they were enjoying Universal Design “avant la lettre“.