Wacom, the leading manufacturer of pen tablets, interactive pen displays and intuitive interface devices, announces that the recently launched Intuos4 has received the red dot distinction for high design quality in the product design category. Awarded by an expert jury at the Design Zentrum NRW, the world-renowned accolade was presented on 29 June 2009 at the Essen Opera House in Germany.

Designed in cooperation with Ziba -- an internationally recognised consultancy based in Portland, USA -- Intuos4 is the next generation of pen tablet delivering new features and unparalleled performance to designers, artists, photographers and enthusiasts seeking optimal control and improved productivity.

Kai Halsinger, Associate Creative Director at Ziba Design, comments: "We knew it would be difficult to improve on an already outstanding product. Intuos4 is first and foremost a professional tool. The strategic target is the professional designer. There is no more discerning and critical audience -- they are trained to critique, to dissect, to argue and to ever improve. We therefore wanted to set the bar higher than ever. At the same time however, we wanted to craft a tool that would enable the enthusiast user ease of use. Together with Wacom, we therefore set out to identify opportunities to improve on every aspect of the total user experience."

Joel Bryant, Global Product Manager Professional Products at Wacom, adds: "As with our previous pen tablets, we started the process of creating the new Intuos4 by undertaking extensive research within our user group. Many of the opinions, suggestions and comments received have been incorporated into the new Intuos series. This real-world feedback is incredibly valuable to us."

The Intuos4 Grip Pen features Wacom’s new proprietary tip sensor technology, offering users near-zero (one gramme) starting pressure for an even more natural feel, as well as delivering 2048 levels of pressure (double that of its predecessor).

Additionally, specific workflow and productivity tools include customisable shortcut and modifier keys with accompanying OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) displays, which show the current function setting of each key.

With its ergonomic design, the ultra-slim Intuos4 pen tablet is the ideal creative instrument for working with digital content. Intuos4’s new reversible (ambidextrous) set-up puts all of the shortcut and modifier keys in the ideal position for right or left-handed users. The ExpressKeys, which are instrumental in helping to improve workflow and productivity by placing commonly used commands right at the fingertips, are conveniently located on one side of the tablet. This makes them all available to the users’ non-dominant hand. A user defined Touch Ring capable of controlling up to four different functions in any application is also included.

As well as significant upgrades to Wacom’s powerful, user friendly driver software including the introduction of precision mode where the mapping of the pen tip changes to a slow motion movement, enabling even more precise and accurate work, Intuos4 owners can choose valuable software applications based on individual needs from industry leaders such as Adobe, Autodesk and Corel.

About the red dot design award
With over 3,203 entries from 51 countries, the red dot design award ranks among the largest design competitions worldwide. The competition is divided into three sections -- product design, communication design and concept design -- which are staged and adjudicated separately. The coveted trophy is the red dot, the international seal of quality for outstanding design. Further information can be found at http://en.red-dot.org.

Want to find out which other Wacom products have won this prestigious award?
Take a look at their archives: http://en.red-dot.org/2866+M5ddfaeb40c9.html

Find out more about Intuos4 by visiting the Intuos4 product site.