Red Dot Award: Product Design

Since 1955, the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen has been awarding excellent product design every year.

From fashion and accessories to consumer electronics to vehicles, medical technology and furniture manufacturers and designers can submit their industrial products in 47 categories at present.

Moreover, every year, young professionals – designers who have obtained their academic qualifications within the past five years – have the chance to apply for the raffle for one out of 50 free places in the competition.

In doing so, they can measure themselves against renowned designers in an international comparison and put their know-how to the test.

A winning product receives the distinction “Honourable Mention” or “Red Dot”.

Only the outstanding products of a category receive the award “Red Dot: Best of the Best”.

Since 1988, the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen furthermore grants the title of honour “Red Dot: Design Team of the Year” with the challenge cup “Radius”, thereby recognising the consistently strong design achievements of a design team.

During the “Red Dot Gala” award ceremony, the Red Dot: Best of the Best winners receive their Red Dot Trophy on the stage of the Aalto Theater in Essen, Germany.

Additionally, the incumbent Red Dot: Design Team of the Year hands over the Radius to the new title holder.

At the “Designers’ Night” aftershow party, the Red Dot and Honourable Mention winners receive their certificates, while around 1,400 international guests celebrate in the midst of the winners’ exhibition in the Red Dot Design Museum Essen.

The origins of the Red Dot Design Award date back to 1955.

The institution behind the competition is the Design Zentrum NRW, which is led by Professor Dr. Peter Zec since 1991.

The “Red Dot” is established internationally as one of the most sought-after quality marks for good design.

From products to communication projects and packaging to design concepts and prototypes, the Red Dot Award documents the most prominent trends worldwide.

The award-winning designs are exhibited in the Red Dot Design Museums.

Read more about the international jury and selection process.