CR1 - Design Business Index

CR1

The CR1 is a carbon fiber wheelchair that is fully customizable to the user's individual specifications and preferences. The unique, dual-angle front end was designed to follow the lines of the user's body, allowing them to get closer to objects for improved accessibility and maneuverability in tight spaces. The aerodynamic tube profile and its orientation were designed to improve strength, user comfort in areas contacting the body and aesthetically to promote a sense of speed. The dual-purpose sideguards provide protection to the user while acting as a structural member for support.

Designed by Doug Garven

269.955 Views

Recognized by A' Design Award.

Doug Garven

Doug Garven is a product designer with over thirty years of experience in the Durable Medical Equipment industry, both using and designing manual wheelchairs. An Industrial Design graduate from Kent State University, an automotive accident left him a T6 paraplegic. As an avid motorsports and yacht racing enthusiast, Garven uses his passions to inspire his four-wheeled creations and is always looking to push the boundaries of convention and think of new ways to solve and improve the mobility for those in need.

Doug Garven DBI Rating

A-

2025

Professional Rating

Assigned to entities whose performance demonstrates competent craftsmanship, meeting baseline standards of quality required for professional recognition.

Doug Garven has A- Rating, valid through 2025. A- stands for Professional Rating. DBI Awards the A- Rating to entities whose designs meet the baseline standards of professional craftsmanship and creative execution. This rating recognizes reliable and competent efforts that are professionally executed. This certificate is awarded following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an esteemed jury panel, comprising a diverse group of experts from around the world, including journalists, academics, design professionals, and entrepreneurs. The assessment adheres to a blind peer-review methodology, ensuring complete impartiality. Entries are meticulously evaluated based on pre-established criteria, with scores being normalized and standardized to uphold fairness and consistency. This process acknowledges and celebrates professional achievements in innovation, design quality, and creative capacity.

DBI Rated Logo

Doug Garven Fields of Mastery

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About DBI

The Design Business Index (DBI) is a merit-based rating system and professional directory founded to address one of the design industry’s biggest challenges: the difficulty of reliably assessing a designer’s true capabilities before a project begins. Through its partnership with the internationally recognized A’ Design Award, DBI combines a rigorous blind review process with transparent evaluation criteria to transform subjective design quality into objective credentials. By featuring only those who have demonstrated excellence under these stringent standards, DBI ensures a carefully curated pool of top talent, where clients can make confident, data-driven decisions about creative partnerships.

Beyond its directory, DBI offers a comprehensive DBI Credibility Suite™ designed to help designers and studios stand out in an overcrowded market. Each DBI-rated professional receives authoritative certificates, digital assets, and rating logos that validate their skills and attest to their proven creative excellence. These tools seamlessly integrate into websites, social media, and marketing materials—reinforcing trust, credibility, and, ultimately, market value. Notably, DBI ratings remain valid for a two-year period, encouraging ongoing professional development and highlighting those who continuously push the boundaries of innovation.

By systematically reducing guesswork and eliminating reliance on subjective portfolio reviews alone, the Design Business Index creates a more efficient, trustworthy, and merit-based environment for both clients and designers. With DBI, top talent rises above the noise, clients gain peace of mind, and the entire global design community benefits from higher standards of creativity, innovation, and professional excellence.

Design Business Index champions design excellence, valuing official recognition from respected international juries over mere popularity. Our criteria focus on transparent, rigorous evaluations by peers, assessing quality, ethics, and innovation. Notably, the prestigious A' Design Award highlights truly exceptional projects, judged by academics, press members, and professionals using a documented scoring system. We exclusively feature professionals and studios that have earned at least one peer-reviewed award, particularly the A' Design Award, ensuring that our listings represent meritocratic accomplishment, innovation, and credibility.

Get Listed at DBI


Professional Edition

Pro Entry

No Winner Fees

  • All-Inclusive A’ Design Prize (Trophy, Yearbook, Certificate, Gala Night, PR Services)
  • Designed to help promote laureates internationally, create business opportunities & provide media exposure
  • Perfect for enterprises, agencies, professionals, government & NGOs
  • Peer-reviewed & anonymous judging with no contractually obliged winner fees

Digital Edition

Digital Entry

No Winner Fees

  • Cost-Effective version of the professional edition
  • Excludes physical items like trophies, framed certificates, and gala-night invitation, reducing the fee significantly
  • Provides digital deliverables only (logos, digital certificates, etc.)
  • Same rigorous peer-reviewed & anonymous voting process

Vision Edition

Smart Entry

No Winner Fees

  • Flexible & Cost-Efficient "Smart Entry" with minimal up-front costs
  • Winners can add services (press releases, trophies, yearbook inclusion) after results are announced
  • Perfect for emerging professionals or entrepreneurs who value budget control
  • Same peer-reviewed judging but pay only for the extras you actually want
Classic Edition
Classic Edition

Industry Standard Entry

Requires Winner Fees

  • Submit your work for official A' Design Award consideration
  • Automated checks and peer review for each submission
  • Pick the package (Professional, Digital, or Vision) if you prefer no winner fees
  • Winner fees apply to finalize your award status for the Classic Edition