The German Design Council is continually nominating companies that have attracted attentionfor their outstanding design achievements. As a nominee, you will receive written notification, including access data, and can bindingly register your nominated project and participate via our registration portal under »My Design Council«. Registration can take place in up to three categories and up to three additional categories. In addition, companies have the opportunity to register projects directly and at their own initiative so they can participate in the contest. Following a review by our panels of experts, the German Design Council will inform you in writing whether your project meets the required criteria and has thus been approved and nominated for participation in the German Design Awards. In the event of non-approval, you will also receive notification and not incur any costs.
Your path to the German Design Awards
- Registration for the Contest
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- Delivery of your submission
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After successful registration, please provide us with a presentation of your project, which the jury will review and evaluate. Please note the deadline for the digital delivery.
- Evulation Criteria and Judging
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The projects and services should be distinguished by the following special features:
- Ergonomics
- functionality and operability
- practical value
- overall concept
- design quality
- degree of innovation
- durability
- brand value and branding
- market maturity
- sustainability
- ecological quality
- product aesthetics
- product graphics and semantics
- safety and accessibility
- symbolic and emotional content
- technical quality
- technical function
- manufacturing techniques and quality
The preceding list does not constitute an order of importance for the jury’s evaluation criteria. The jury is free to choose the weighting of the individual criteria. All entries that have been submitted in due form and time will be presented to the jury for adjudication. The participating companies will receive written notification regarding the results of the adjudication. All judges’ decisions are final.
- Awards Ceremony
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A great price deserves a worthy appearance. Therefore, the German Design Awards will be presented by the German Design Council at Ambiente 2021, the world's largest consumer goods fair. With over 1,600 participants from politics, business, design and press, the award is one of the most important design events of the year and an ideal opportunity to make important contacts and maintain networks. In order to promote this exchange, all winners receive exclusive access to our Winners' Lounge.
The Jury
Prof. Andrea Lipp-Allrutz
Prof. Anke Bernotat
Armin Illion
Arturo Dell'Acqua Bellavitis
Björn Sorge
Christian Zanzotti
Christine Matz
Prof. Dr. Erik Spiekermann
Felix Heck
Georg Ruhrmann
Hanne Willmann
Prof. Hartmut Raiser
Jens Grefen
Jianjun Xie
Jutta Werner
Katrin Menne
Lukas Cottrell
Prof. Mark Braun
Prof. Markus Weisbeck
Matthias Wagner K
Michael Kruza
Michael Thomson
Prof. Mike Richter
Moritz Putzier
Nicolette Naumann
Nina Bruun
Prof. Philipp Thesen
Sabine Loeser-Schoeps
Silvia Olp
Susanne Brandherm
Reinhard Pascher
Ryutaro Yoshida
Virginia Lung
Marco Dessí
Carole Baijings
Prof. Wu Siegfried Zhiqiang
Päivi Tahkokallio
Award disciplines
Participation in the German Design Awards is possible in the following categories:
- Excellent Product Design
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Bath and Wellness
Bathroom and sanitary ware, bathroom fittings, sanitary technology, bathroom furniture and fixtures, bathroom accessories, saunas, solariums, whirlpools, body care products, other
Buildings and Elements
Building equipment, windows, doors, stairs, banisters and handrails, house and building automation, house and door labelling, security and access systems, surveillance cameras and systems, smoke detection systems, walls/ floors/ceilings, acoustic solutions, door and window fittings, switches and switch systems, mailboxes, garages, gates, escalators, lifts, controls for products in this category, other
Kitchen
Kitchens, kitchen furniture, kitchen fittings, electrical appliances, accessories, cooking equipment, ovenware, other
Tabletop
Dishes, cutlery, accessories and decorations, other
Household
Household appliances, large electric appliances, household items, air and water filtering units, humidifiers, waste systems, other
Design Classics and Re-editions
Design Classics, Re-editions and Redesigns
Furniture
Living, sleeping and seating furniture, children's and special furniture, other
Lifestyle and Fashion
Fashion, bags, suitcases, travel gear, head coverings, glasses and sunglasses, other
Home Textiles and Home Accessories
Home textiles, upholstery fabrics and leathers, decorative fabrics, wallpapers, wall and home decorations, home accessories, other
Gardening and Outdoor Living
Garden furniture, gardening tools and products as well as equipment, garden accessories, sunscreens, furnishings for conservatories, grills and barbecues, other
Sports, Outdoor Activities and Leisure
Sports equipment and products, sportswear, tents, backpacks, binoculars, flashlights and forehead flashlights, night vision devices, outdoor clothing, outdoor and trekking equipment, games, hobby and craft supplies, recreation equipment and products, fitness equipment and products, musical instruments, products for animals, other
Baby and Child Care
Products for babies and children, baby and child care products, baby and children’s toys, play equipment, baby carriages, schoolbags and accessories, other
Luxury Goods
Luxury accessories, jewellery, watches, other
Computer and Communication
Computers, notebooks, tablets, network and conference technology, storage media, NAS, server systems, printers, copiers, scanners, smartphones, telephones and telephone systems, charging stations, recording and playback equipment, peripheral devices and accessories for Computers and communication devices, cameras and equipment, other
Entertainment
Consumer electronics, microphones, headphones, loudspeakers, audio equipment, amplifiers, televisions, recording and playback equipment, beamers, sound systems, event technology, stagecraft, sound engineering, lasers and effects, multiroom systems, docking stations, video game consoles, e-readers, cameras and equipment, other
Human-Machine-Interface
Interface design and controls as an integral part of a product, other
Material and Surfaces
Materials and raw materials, material innovations, surfaces, innovative textiles (technical and ornamental), otherBuilding and Elements Building equipment, windows, doors, stairs, banisters and handrails, house and building automation, house and door labelling, security and access systems, surveillance cameras and systems, smoke detection systems, walls/floors/ceilings, acoustic solutions, door and window fittings, switches and switch systems, mailboxes, garages, gates, escalators, lifts, controls for products in this category, other
Energy
Energy technology, heating systems, radiators, ovens of all kinds, air conditioning systems, ventilation systems, solar energy installations, furnaces and boilers, other
Industry
Machines and facilities, components, control technology, materials handling technology, robotics, safety technology, timing systems, logistics systems, machines, semi-finished products, work and protective clothing, industrial packaging, other
Workshop and Tools
Tools, workshop equipment, measurement and testing technology, special products, other
Medical, Rehabilitation and Health Care
Medical equipment, medical technology, medical and orthopaedic assistive devices, optics and optical equipment, laboratory technology, practice and hospital furnishings, laboratory furniture, assisted technology and assisted living, other
Lighting
Residential and workplace lighting, recessed and exterior lighting, lighting systems, lamps, special lighting, street lighting, lighting technology, other
Office Furniture
Office furniture and office furniture systems, conference furniture, partitions, acoustic elements, furniture and space solutions for special rooms, other
Stationery
Writing and plotting instruments, office accessories and equipment, filing and classification systems, presentation systems, papers, hobby and craft supplies, other
Retail
Sales and product display systems, cash register systems, terminals, displays, return systems, other
Conceptional Transportation
Passenger and commercial vehicles, motor homes, caravans, trailers, agricultural vehicles, aeroplanes and aircraft, helicopters, water and hybrid vehicles, railed vehicles, motorcycles and rollers, vehicles for local public transportation, special vehicles, other
Aviation, Maritime and Railway
Aeroplanes and aircraft, helicopters, water and hybrid vehicles, railed vehicles, vehicles for local public transportation, vehicle components, vehicle interiors and furnishings, navigation systems, other
Automotive Parts and Accessories
Automotive equipment, vehicle components, vehicle interiors and furnishings, navigation systems, other
Motorcycles
Motorcycles and rollers, automotive equipment, vehicle components, vehicle interiors and furnishings, navigation systems, other
Passenger Vehicles
Passenger and commercial vehicles, motor homes, caravans, trailers, agricultural vehicles, special vehicles, automotive equipment, vehicle components, vehicle interiors and furnishings, navigation systems, other
Public Design
Urban and street furniture, kiosks, advertising columns, displays and advertising media, shelters, stops and stations, park furniture, waste and lighting systems, other
Utility Vehicles
Agricultural vehicles, special vehicles, automotive equipment (luggage racks etc.), vehicle components, vehicle interiors and furnishings, navigation systems, other
Bicycles and E-Bikes
Mountain bikes, racing bikes, crossbikes, urban and E-Bikes, pedelecs, children’s bikes, trekking bikes, special bikes, other
Service Design
Non-visible performance processes, which can be visualized and experienced through a special design creativity.
Start-up *NEW*
Innovative and future-oriented projects with growth potential.
For the first time, start-ups and their projects will be evaluated and awarded in a separate category under the aspects of innovation, growth and scalability. Award-winners in the category will receive their own label "German Design Award - Start-up 2021" as well as other benefits that support them in their press work, network building and acquisition. Start-ups that are not older than 4 years are permitted to participate. The date of foundation is valid until February 2017 at the earliest. The above-mentioned aspects should be clearly indicated in the submission. Original projects, digital projects, prototypes or presentation charts can be submitted.Additional category »Universal Design«
In addition to the categories listed, all projects can be submitted to the award in a superordinate »Universal Design« category. All projects are addressed, which are characterised by the following points:
- Barrier-free usability
As many people as possible should be able to use the product, no matter what skills they have. - Flexible usage
Consideration of individual preferences of the users (for example of right and left-handers). - Intuitive operation
A product should be easy and intuitive to operate according to the abilities of the user (e.g., ability to speak, comprehension or age). - Risk minimisation in the application
- Demand
The effort required for operation or handling should be adequate. - Use and access
Ingredients should be designed so that they are equally usable by every user
Additional category »Eco Design« *NEW*
In addition to the categories listed, all projects can be submitted to the award in a superordinate »Eco Design« category. All projects are addressed, which are characterised by the following points:
- Production and Manufacturing
The manufacture of the product should be innovative and save resources. - Longevity
The product should be designed for use over a long period of time. - Raw materials
The choice of raw materials should be environmentally friendly and conserve resources. - Transport routes
Transport routes should be kept as minimal as possible, paying attention to the regional manufacturing. - Recycling/Upcycling
The product’s design should show consideration for re-use or re-purposing. - Usage concepts
The product should be intuitive and easy to use and furthermore generate an innovative use concept.
- Barrier-free usability
- Excellent Communications Design
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Brand Identity
Brand identity, brand design, brand films, brand events, brand publishing, brand manuals, brand fashion, brand architecture, brand signet, other
Books and Calendars
Books (e. g. literature, nonfiction, photobooks, children’s books), digital books, corporate books, art books, calendars (e. g. wall and pocket calendars), digital calendars, other
Editorial
Newspapers, journals and magazines, financial statements and annual reports, catalogues and product catalogues, brochures, manuals, other
Official Documents
Stamps, private and official documents, identification cards, customer club cards, memberships, bank notes, debit and credit cards, other
Posters, Cards and Photography
Posters and placards of all kinds, postcards, artistic photography, advertising and fashion photography, photojournalism, event photography, industrial and architectural photography, other
Typography
Fonts, font families, other
Event
Events, award ceremonies, congresses, press events, seminars, incentives, product launches, road shows, concerts, otherEventEvents, award ceremonies, congresses, press events, seminars, incentives, product launches, road shows, concerts, other
Service Design
Non-visible performance processes, which can be visualized and experienced through a special design creativity.
Start-up *NEW*
Innovative and future-oriented projects with growth potential.
For the first time, start-ups and their projects will be evaluated and awarded in a separate category under the aspects of innovation, growth and scalability. Award-winners in the category will receive their own label "German Design Award - Start-up 2021" as well as other benefits that support them in their press work, network building and acquisition. Start-ups that are not older than 4 years are permitted to participate. The date of foundation is valid until February 2017 at the earliest. The above-mentioned aspects should be clearly indicated in the submission. Original projects, digital projects, prototypes or presentation charts can be submitted.Additional category »Universal Design«
In addition to the categories listed, all projects can be submitted to the award in a superordinate »Universal Design« category. All projects are addressed, which are characterised by the following points:
- Barrier-free usability
As many people as possible should be able to use the product, no matter what skills they have. - Flexible usage
Consideration of individual preferences of the users (for example of right and left-handers). - Intuitive operation
A product should be easy and intuitive to operate according to the abilities of the user (e.g., ability to speak, comprehension or age). - Risk minimisation in the application
- Demand
The effort required for operation or handling should be adequate. - Use and access
Ingredients should be designed so that they are equally usable by every user
Additional category »Eco Design« *NEW*
In addition to the categories listed, all projects can be submitted to the award in a superordinate »Eco Design« category. All projects are addressed, which are characterised by the following points:
- Production and Manufacturing
The manufacture of the product should be innovative and save resources. - Longevity
The product should be designed for use over a long period of time. - Raw materials
The choice of raw materials should be environmentally friendly and conserve resources. - Transport routes
Transport routes should be kept as minimal as possible, paying attention to the regional manufacturing. - Recycling/Upcycling
The product’s design should show consideration for re-use or re-purposing. - Usage concepts
The product should be intuitive and easy to use and furthermore generate an innovative use concept.
- Barrier-free usability
- Excellent Architecture
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Architecture
Buildings of all kinds (residential houses, public buildings, industrial and corporate buildings, religious buildings, museums, hotels, etc.), temporary architecture, other
Conceptional Architecture
Construction concepts, architectural concepts, building projects under construction, landscape architecture, other
Interior Architecture
Interior design, hotels, spa and wellness, restaurants, bars, cafés, lounges, libraries, medical practices, offices, other
Retail Architecture
Brand spaces, shops, concept stores, flagship stores, showrooms, department stores, malls, other
Signage and Wayfinding
Indoor and outdoor signage systems: Cities, public buildings, office and commercial buildings, shopping malls, residential buildings, etc.
Fair and Exhibition
Exhibitions, temporary architecture, trade-fair architecture, trade-fair stands and appearances, scenography, installations, other
Urban Space and Infrastructure
Urban planning and design, landscape architecture, urban parks, public spaces, playgrounds, infrastructure and transportation facilities, bridges, other
Lighting Design
Building lighting, lighting concepts, illumination of interior fittings, and other
Service Design
Non-visible performance processes, which can be visualized and experienced through a special design creativity.
Start-up *NEW*
Innovative and future-oriented projects with growth potential.
For the first time, start-ups and their projects will be evaluated and awarded in a separate category under the aspects of innovation, growth and scalability. Award-winners in the category will receive their own label "German Design Award - Start-up 2021" as well as other benefits that support them in their press work, network building and acquisition. Start-ups that are not older than 4 years are permitted to participate. The date of foundation is valid until February 2017 at the earliest. The above-mentioned aspects should be clearly indicated in the submission. Original projects, digital projects, prototypes or presentation charts can be submitted.Additional category »Universal Design«
In addition to the categories listed, all projects can be submitted to the award in a superordinate »Universal Design« category. All projects are addressed, which are characterised by the following points:
- Barrier-free usability
As many people as possible should be able to use the product, no matter what skills they have. - Flexible usage
Consideration of individual preferences of the users (for example of right and left-handers). - Intuitive operation
A product should be easy and intuitive to operate according to the abilities of the user (e.g., ability to speak, comprehension or age). - Risk minimisation in the application
- Demand
The effort required for operation or handling should be adequate. - Use and access
Ingredients should be designed so that they are equally usable by every user
Additional category »Eco Design« *NEW*
In addition to the categories listed, all projects can be submitted to the award in a superordinate »Eco Design« category. All projects are addressed, which are characterised by the following points:
- Production and Manufacturing
The manufacture of the product should be innovative and save resources. - Longevity
The product should be designed for use over a long period of time. - Raw materials
The choice of raw materials should be environmentally friendly and conserve resources. - Transport routes
Transport routes should be kept as minimal as possible, paying attention to the regional manufacturing. - Recycling/Upcycling
The product’s design should show consideration for re-use or re-purposing. - Usage concepts
The product should be intuitive and easy to use and furthermore generate an innovative use concept.
- Barrier-free usability
Registration and Service fees
Below you will find a list of all registration and service fees when you participate in the German Design Awards 2021.
- Category »Excellent Product Design«
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Registration fees
- Registration for the contest per project€ 290,00
- Registration by 10 May 2020 (Early bird)€ 240,00
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Optional »Nominee-Package«
The Nominee Package offers you a first-class opportunity to generate media attention. Promote your nomination actively in order to communicate your brand competence effectively.
The Nominee Package lets you use the official nominee label for your communication and the application of the nominated project. You can also order various products from our Marketing Services offer, such as acrylic glass certificates and cuboids. You will also receive two personalised nominee documents.
€ 1.990,00**
** All prices are per submitted entry, plus the legally applicable value-added tax.
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Service fees for Winners***
- Special Mention€ 3.350,00
- Winner€ 3.850,00
- Gold€ 4.650,00
*** All information is per award and excludes VAT, plus an organisational fee for the presentation of the Gold-winning project in the exhibition: Size S: included in the package / Size M: € 200.00 / Size L: € 600.00 / Size XL: € 1,200.00.
- Category »Excellent Communications Design«
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Registration fees
- Registration for the award per project€ 230,00*
- Registration by 29 May 2020 (Early bird)€ 180,00*
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Optional »Nominee-Package«
The Nominee Package lets you use the official nominee label for your communication and the applicationof the nominated project. You can also order various products from our Marketing Services offer, such as acrylic glass certificates and cuboids. You will also receive two personalised nominee documents.€ 1.660,00**
** All prices are per submitted entry, plus the legally applicable value-added tax.
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Service fees for Winners***
- Special Mention€ 2.280,00
- Winner€ 2.580,00
- Gold€ 2.980,00
*** All information is per award and excludes VAT.
- Category »Excellent Architecture«
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Registration fees
- Registration for the award per project€ 230,00*
- Registration by 29 May 2020 (Early bird)€ 180,00*
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Optional »Nominee-Package«
The Nominee Package lets you use the official nominee label for your communication and the applicationof the nominated project. You can also order various products from our Marketing Services offer, such as acrylic glass certificates and cuboids. You will also receive two personalised nominee documents.€ 1.660,00**
** All prices are per submitted entry, plus the legally applicable value-added tax.
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Service fees for Winners***
- Special Mention€ 2.680,00
- Winner€ 2.980,00
- Gold€ 3.380,00
*** All information is per award and excludes VAT.
FAQ
- GENERAL
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Who is allowed to compete?
The German Design Council continuously nominates companies that have attracted attention through excellent design quality. As a nominee, you will receive written notification, including access data, and can bindingly register your nominated project and participate via our registration portal under »My Design Council«. The publication of the project must not have taken place more than five years ago (excluded are projects submitted in the new category »Design Classics and Re-Editions«).
In addition, companies have the opportunity to register projects directly and at their own initiative so they can participate in the contest. Following a review by our panels of experts, the German Design Council will inform you in writing whether your project meets the required criteria and has thus been approved and nominated for participation in the German Design Awards. -
My product/project has already taken part in another German Design Council competition – can I also submit it for the German Design Award?
Yes, participation in the German Design Awards is possible. Award-winning projects from the ICONIC AWARDS, the Automotive Brand Contest or the Bicycle Brand Contest are automatically nominated for the German Design Awards.
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How many participants were there last year?
In total there were about 5.415 submissions for the German Design Awards 2019; 2.486 in the area of »Excellent Product Design«, 2.556 in the area of »Excellent Communications Design« and 373 in the area of »Universal Design«.
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What are the benefits for the winners?
- Use of the German Design Awards Label
- Catalogue entry
- Copy of the catalogue
- Entry in the online gallery (for a period of three years)
- Exhibition
- Certificate
- Press package
- NOMINATION
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What costs are associated with a nomination?
A nomination is free of charge and without obligation. Costs arise only after completing online registration. Details can be found in our announcement documents of the categories »Excellent Communications Design«, »Excellent Product Design« and »Excellent Architecture«. -
What is the nomination process?
The German Design Council gives nominations to companies that stand out due to their special design quality. As a nominee, you will receive written notification. The nomination is free of charge. The nominee can register at »My Design Council« to participate. -
What information is required for participation?
- Your contact details
- Product or project name and designation
- Website
- One image
- Short text (max. 500 letters)
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My product/project is not yet on the market – will my information be treated confidentially during the registration process and, if necessary, during the jury session?
Yes, the information provided is always treated confidentially when processing your registration. The same applies to the jury session, which takes place behind closed doors. -
What are the categories?
The categories are listed above. -
If my submission is nominated, can I choose its category myself?
Yes. You can register your product/project in up to three categories. -
I am a newcomer; how can I participate in the German Design Award?
Newcomers are nominated exclusively by the deaneries of universities. Graduates in the fields of textile, product, industrial, communications and interior design who either have German citizenship or who have earned a design degree from a German university are eligible. The degree must not be more than five years ago. Both individuals and design offices with several designers can participate in the competition. The entire portfolio of a designer is assessed.
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