german design awards 2024 announce winners

celebrating the Winners of the German Design Awards 2024

The German Design Council proudly celebrates the winners of the German Design Awards 2024. Following a meticulous evaluation by an esteemed international jury, a total of 65 Gold awards were presented in the Excellent Product Design, Excellent Communications Design and Excellent Architecture disciplines. The grand event unfolded at the prestigious Award Show on January 26, 2024, at Kap Europa, Messe Frankfurt’s congress center.

(above) Observation Tower, © Nieberg Architect

(banner) Banyan Tree AlUla, © Royal Commission for AlUla

all images courtesy of German Design Council

As one of the world’s leading centers of the field, the German Design Council has been communicating and transferring knowledge within design, branding and innovation with three main tasks: to connect its members and numerous other international design and brand experts, foster discourse, and provide important stimulation for the global economy. Since its foundation in 1953, one of the central aims of the organization has been to observe, analyse and evaluate the international design scene. With the German Design Awards, the German Design Council has established one of the most recognised design awards in the world. Chosen by a prestigious jury panel, the annual winners of the international competitions platform not only exemplify the economic and cultural value of outstanding design, but also provide orientation and represent current topics and trends.

‘With the German Design Awards, we are creating far more than just a showcase for design achievements. We are increasingly recognising the need to put the design discourse at the forefront. With submissions from every continent, the German Design Awards showcase cross-industry developments and concrete solutions on how we can achieve global change,’ emphasises Lutz Dietzold, CEO of the German Design Council.

Beijing Xitan Hotel – NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD

innovative products, sustainable solutions, and excellent design

The spotlight this year extends to innovative products, sustainable solutions, and cutting-edge design. The awards acknowledge companies whose groundbreaking endeavors align with the principles of Excellent Product Design, Excellent Communications Design, and Excellent Architecture. More specifically, in the realm of Excellent Communications Design, the spotlight shines on categories such as Brand Identity, Corporate Identity, and Event. Meanwhile, Medical/Health Care and Sports/Outdoor Activities stood out in the Excellent Product Design arena. The design of living spaces takes center stage in the Outdoor Living, Furniture, Kitchen, and Bath & Wellness categories. Finally, in the Excellent Architecture discipline, architectural projects and the Interior Architecture category claimed the highest honors.

‘Global developments, sustainability and circular design, digitalisation and AI, as well as ideas for a more social, fairer society are topics that have a place with us,’ continues Lutz Dietzold.

Ergofocus gas, © ATELIER DOMINIQUE IMBERT SAS

Newcomer Award

Since 2012, the German Design Council Foundation has been promoting German design talent with the German Design Award Newcomer in a separate category (see here). The following five finalists were given the chance to win the award in 2024: Leonie Burkhardt (textile design), Justus Hilfenhaus (product design), Nicolas König (architecture), studio formagora (product design/participative design) and Sebastian Winter (communication design/digital design).

Landschaft Ⅱ, © Architects601

The presentation of the award-winning projects took place as part of the German Design Award Show, on 26 January 2024, at Kap Europa, Messe Frankfurt’s congress centre. In addition to an exhibition of the final projects, all 65 Gold award winners were formally honoured on stage at the Award Show and receive their gold sculpture. Furthermore, panel discussions were planned under the theme From Design to Success, which promoted the exchange and discourse on current design topics and focus on the value of design in solving global transformation challenges.