The German Design Awards 2026 are open for submissions. Starting now, companies, agencies, designers, and architects from around the world can enter their projects. Organized by the German Design Council, the German Design Awards are one of the most renowned distinctions in the design industry. They celebrate excellent achievements in Product Design, Communication Design, and Architecture.

From 2025, the German Design Council will combine the ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Architecture and ICONIC AWARDS: Interior Products in a new format. As a leading platform, the new ICONIC AWARDS are dedicated to the disciplines of architecture, interior design and product innovation and will strengthen the visibility of each participant among their target groups.

The German Design Council presented the findings of its latest study, Design in Business, to the public for the first time during the German Design Award 2025 Show on 7 February.

On 11 March 2025, the German Design Council will bring together leading minds and industry giants such as Google, Adidas, and BMW at the Circular Design Summit in the Hospitalhof Stuttgart. Under the guiding theme “Rethinking the Economy”, the elite of the design, industry, and innovation sectors will convene to unleash the transformative power of circular design for a sustainable economy.

Companies, agencies, designers, and brand managers worldwide are invited to submit their projects and campaigns for the German Brand Award 2025. The German Brand Award, organised by the German Design Council, sets global standards in brand management. This prestigious award not only highlights success but also provides winners with access to an exclusive network and boosts their international visibility. The submission deadline is 21 February 2025.

Germany is not yet fully tapping into the potential of design research. This is the key finding of a new study published by the German Design Council. Structural deficits and limited integration of design research into businesses are slowing innovation and competitiveness. The study offers targeted recommendations to drive meaningful change.