FAQ

Since 2012. From the start, they’ve stood for excellence in design – honouring creatives who see design as a mindset and a response to the challenges of tomorrow. Initiated by the German Design Council – the leading design authority in Germany since 1953.

Absolutely. The award is backed by the German Design Council – Germany’s authority on design quality since 1953. Only those entries that convince the international, interdisciplinary jury are honoured. The process is transparent, independent, and focused on excellence.

The German Design Council. Since 1953, the foundation has brought together leading figures from business and design. Driven by its mission "Moving Business by Design", it promotes the power of design as a key to transformation and economic success. The German Design Awards are its most visible international platform.

An independent, international panel of experts decides who receives the award. It brings together perspectives from industry, design and academia. Members and their number may change annually – but their high-level expertise remains constant.

The jury is appointed by the German Design Council. We ensure a balance of professional excellence, international experience and interdisciplinary vision to assess design holistically and recognise trailblazing work.

The jury evaluates independently, internationally and across disciplines. Key criteria include design quality, overall concept, function, context and sustainability. For the additional “Circular Design” category, a separate questionnaire is considered. This is sent out after registration and allows for the submission of relevant evidence such as certificates, labels or product passports.

All decisions are made without commercial influence. Jury members are seasoned experts from design, industry and academia – appointed by the German Design Council. Their judgement is based on knowledge, discussion and a shared commitment to highlighting excellence.

The German Design Council offers small businesses, freelancers and start-ups the chance to apply for a waiver of winner-related service fees, based on a review of their financial situation.

A prerequisite is that the annual turnover did not exceed EUR 100,000 in each of the past two financial years. The application must be submitted on time via the online form (receipt by the German Design Council).

Each year, around 4,000 entries from over 60 countries are submitted – making the German Design Awards a truly global platform for those who see design as a strategic force.

Only projects launched or published within the last five years are eligible to participate in the German Design Awards.

Registration takes place via the My Design Council portal.

If you’re having account or password issues, just email: mydesigncouncil(at)gdc.de.

You’ll need to provide the following details. On average, the online registration takes around 25 minutes:

• Project name
• Project title (DE / EN)
• Short description (DE / EN, max. 500 characters)
• Website
• Launch/publication date
• Information on the designer / architect / agency
• Information on the manufacturer / client / commissioning party
• Discipline and category
• Type of submission for jury evaluation (original or digital)
• Submission method for jury evaluation (postal delivery or upload)
• Billing address
• Optional booking of the Nominee Package
• Images (up to 5)

Yes – there’s no limit to the number of projects you can enter.

Yes, it’s possible to enter product series or families. 

You can enter your project in one of three disciplines. After registering, you’ll choose the discipline and one related category.

Tip: Focus on sustainability & Circular Design

Sustainability is already a key criterion – for both the jury and the market. Use your submission to demonstrate how your project takes responsibility. Transparency here makes you stand out.

Helpful for the jury:

• Do you have a certificate?

• Have you published a sustainability report?
   
• Is there a product or building passport?
   
• What circular principles were applied?

The clearer your answers, the better your project can be evaluated – and the more visible your position in the competition.

You can enter your project in one main category. If you want to enter it in several categories, you’ll need to submit it separately for each one. 

You can also add a suitable subcategory or additional category – for example, Circular Design. This boosts your visibility and allows your project to be seen from multiple angles. 

No – you must select a main discipline before submitting to an additional category.

That’s absolutely fine , even if it’s already been awarded elsewhere.

Yes, of course! The German Design Awards are international. You can enter – find your contact for your country.

Just send an email to the German Design Awards team: gda(at)gdc.de – they’re happy to help. 

Once your submission is confirmed, you won’t be able to edit it yourself. But if you need to make changes, just get in touch at gda@gdc.de – we’ll support you.

A nomination must first be confirmed by you. In some cases, this may require registration.

Yes. If you believe another project is a better fit for the German Design Awards, you may submit that one instead.

Yes, this is possible. You can submit series or related products as a single entry.

The nomination itself is free of charge. If you proceed with participation, a submission fee applies. If your project is awarded, a service fee will also be charged.

Not at all. A nomination is an invitation, but you can submit your project independently at any time – with no disadvantage.

You can find it in your personal account under “My Nominations” (My Design Council). As soon as you start working on it, it will automatically move to “My Submissions.”

Yes, that’s possible. Please contact us at gda@gdc.de so we can assign the nomination accordingly.

You may communicate your nomination, but without using the official logo. If you book the Nominee Package, you’ll gain access to the label, certificate, and more.

Regarding your submission you’ll find all the key information here. It includes everything you need to know – from required formats to technical specifications. Depending on whether you submit digitally or physically, different guidelines will apply. 

After registering, you’ll receive a personal upload link via email. You can use this link to upload your files securely and directly.

If you’d like to submit your product in its original form, you’ll receive all necessary information after registering – including deadlines, the shipping address and labels. We’ll make sure your exhibit reaches the jury safely.

The exact shipping address will be provided in the delivery instructions after you register. Please be sure to follow the deadlines and packaging/labelling requirements. 

You’ll choose one submission format during registration: original exhibit or digital upload. A combination of both is not possible.

Yes, absolutely. Your documents will only be used for jury evaluation and will not be made public.

S/M-sized exhibits not collected on time will be stored for up to ten business days at a fee (€40.00 per day and entry). After that, they will be disposed of at your expense. 

L/XL-sized exhibits will be disposed of directly and at cost after the deadline passes. Fees depend on the effort required. 

Donated products will be passed on to Caritas Offenbach – https://www.caritas-offenbach.de/

Only awarded projects are presented in the German Design Awards gallery. The jury selects them based on the submitted materials.

Awarded projects are published at the time of the official winners’ announcement – alongside communication via the website, press, and social media.

Once your submission is final, you can’t make changes yourself. But if you spot something that needs to be corrected, just email us at gda@gdc.de – we’ll be happy to help.

The gallery includes your submitted short description, main image, and information about the design, manufacturer or commissioning company – depending on your entry. Important: the content is published exactly as submitted, so please make sure everything is well-formulated before uploading.

Registration in our My Design Council system is completely free of charge. Only in the next step – when you officially submit your project for the German Design Award – will a participation fee apply.

The nomination is non-binding and free of charge. If you go ahead with submission and receive an award, a service fee will apply. In return, you’ll receive a comprehensive package: award label, certificate, online presence, and access to the international design community. A worthwhile investment.

Klar! Du kannst dein Projekt zusätzlich in Kategorien wie „Circular Design“ einreichen – ganz ohne Extrakosten bei der Anmeldung. Erst wenn dein Projekt ausgezeichnet wird, fällt für jede prämierte Zusatzkategorie eine eigene Servicegebühr an. Dafür gibt’s mehr Sichtbarkeit und einen weiteren Auftritt in unserer Award-Kommunikation.

Absolutely! You can additionally enter categories like “Circular Design” at no extra cost during registration. If your project is awarded in this category, a separate service fee will apply – in return, you’ll benefit from extra visibility and another appearance in our award communications.

The billing address entered in “My Design Council” is automatically assigned to the person or organisation submitting the entry – meaning: whoever registers, pays. If you'd like your client or another company to be billed, just let us know at gda@gdc.de – we’ll take care of it.

The German Design Awards are more than just a title. We bring creatives and companies together and give outstanding design the spotlight it deserves. If you win, you’ll receive a strong benefits package: award label, certificate, a spot on stage, in the exhibition, gallery and communications. The fees ensure your project gets the visibility it deserves.

Awarded participants are invited to attend free of charge. The award show is your moment and an integral part of your success.

Depending on the venue and capacity, additional tickets may be available to purchase, or a waiting list may be offered. All details will be shared in good time before the event.

No fixed deadline, but some products are only available while supplies last. So it’s best not to wait too long.

You’ll receive it by email and it’s also available in the download section of the website. Need it again? Just let us know – we’re happy to resend it.

Yes. Just include the project name on the order form – we’ll match it up on our end.

It will be emailed to the address you provided on the order form. Be sure to check your spam folder too.

The invoice includes a payment link for credit card. You can also pay by bank transfer or PayPal.

Usually not. We use the data you’ve already approved. Proofs are only available in exceptional cases and by arrangement.

Only by prior arrangement and in exceptional cases. Please contact us directly.

Shipping costs depend on the weight and destination country. Since they’re calculated individually, we can’t give a flat rate.

Yes – unless you’ve requested changes.

Please get in touch with your award team so we can correct the error across all systems (including the gallery, if applicable). You can request an updated certificate via the order form – just note the correction in your email. Additional fees may apply.

The standard option includes a HALBE frame, but you can request one without. Please mention this in your email along with the order form!

That depends on your award. Gold and “Best of Best” winners can order the sculpture. “Winner” recipients receive the Kuboid with the relevant label.

The sculpture features the award label (e.g. Gold) and the year. A custom-made version with personalisation is possible but more costly due to single-item production.

The Kuboid shows the award label and year. A personalised version can be made on request, but will also incur higher costs.

Both are made from 80% recycled acrylic.

They are made from 80% recycled acrylic.

A sticker is a printed image with a background. A vinyl cut is made from solid-colour film – the design or logo is cut out, with no background.

You’ll receive your video clip a few working days after the award ceremony via a secure download link by email. We’ll let you know as soon as it’s ready.