Connecting Global Excellence
But these awards are more than a competition. They’re a stage, a platform, and a network. They stand for design quality and for community. They shine a spotlight on projects that already offer smart answers to tomorrow’s big questions. And connect those who see design as a strategic force.
At the heart of it all is a diverse, international jury of experts. They bring insight and perspective to the table. Winning here means showing top-level design skills and making a clear statement about market relevance, social impact, and future potential.
Where Heritage Meets the Future – the German Design Awards
The German Design Awards have been presented by the German Design Council since 2012 as an international accolade for outstanding design that makes an impact. Their roots go back to the Federal Award for Good Design, a long-standing benchmark for design quality in Germany. Today, the awards keep their eyes firmly on the future: by tackling themes like Circular Design or AI, drawing on the cross-industry, global network of the German Design Council, and building on more than 70 years of experience linking design with business.
This combination is what makes the German Design Awards stand out as one of the world’s leading design prizes – and sets them apart from the rest.
Driving Change Through Design
More than ever, design today means shaping products and services that consider their impact on the environment and society through sustainable processes and mindful production.
In the face of global challenges like climate change, demographic shifts and digitalisation, economic activity must go hand in hand with social responsibility. What’s needed is a holistic design mindset that connects people, planet, and profit. The German Design Awards champion exactly that by highlighting projects that set new directions and offer smart, forward-thinking solutions.
Sustainability at the German Design Awards
An event like the German Design Awards can’t be 100% sustainable. But that doesn’t mean we’re not trying. And we know you care, too. That’s why we’re constantly working to make the format more responsible and resource-efficient. We look closely at every part of the process and make changes wherever we see room to reduce our environmental impact. With every edition, we learn and grow.