The competition
A coveted prize for sought-after brands: The ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Interior function both as a trend barometer and an important distinction in a steadily growing market.
Pre-register now!
Would you like to be informed about the start of the competition? Then fill out our contact form.
Detailed information on participation and the competition can be found in our application documents. Download the PDF file here.
August 2021
Start of the submission period
September 2021
Early Bird-Deadline
October 2021
Deadline for registrations
October 2021
Jury meeting
December 2021
Announcement of the winners
January 2022
Exhibition of the winners and awards ceremony
Awards ceremony and exhibition 2020
The awards ceremony of the ICONIC AWARDS 2020: Innovative Interior took place on 12 January 2020 at the Kölnischer Kunstverein. On the same evening, the winners' exhibition was opened, which will be shown at the Kölnischer Kunstverein during the imm cologne – embedded in the »Design im Kunstverein« programme.
Source: German Design Council / Photos: Daniel Banner – www.bannerfoto.de
Your path to success
Create an account
Register in our online database »My Design Council« mdc.german-design-council.de by using the button above (»Register here«). Log in with your access data or register as a new user.
Registration
For the online registration of your submission you will need a short description in English and German and at least one image. After that, complete your registration bindingly.
Please note: Participation in the competition and a possible award are subject to fees.
Delivery
Upload your digital submission for the jury session by October. This will take place in October. You will be informed about the jury’s results in writing.
Whitepaper
Would you like to find out how you can use your awards in your communication most effectively? Our whitepaper explains how to use the potential of awards.
Benefits
Barbara Friedrich on the benefits of participating in design competitions
In the focus of the industry
The ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Interior guarantees you international attention in the industry — because only the best innovative achievements are honoured with awards.
Nominated for the premier prize
When you win an ICONIC AWARD: Innovative Interior prize, your product is automatically nominated for the German Design Awards.
Our reach for you
Take advantage of our far-reaching communications work for the ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Interior via our media distribution lists and social media channels.
Expand your network
Establish contacts to relevant industry representatives via the ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Interior competition.
A STAGE FOR THE BEST
As a winner you will be invited to the award ceremony in Cologne. The event takes place on the occasion of the imm cologne.
Our Marketing Services
Use the 'Winner' label as a communication tool within and beyond your industry.
Prominent placement
Winners are portrayed in our ICONIC Magazine and presented online in the ICONIC DIRECTORY.
Prominent presentation
In January 2022 we will presenting the winning projects in an exclusive exhibition to an international audience at the imm cologne.
Nine categories of success
Bathroom and Wellness
The bathroom as a living space - from noble fittings over high-quality sanitary objects to bath accessories.
more
Bathroom and Wellness
i.e. Bathroom Fittings, Bath Accessories, Bathroom Furniture, Sanitary Installations
Office and Workplace
The home of workplaces and workplace equipment that wow, including furniture, writing instruments, filing systems, accessories and more.
more
Office and Workplace
i.e. Office Accessories, Office Devices, Office Furniture, Writing Utensils, Filing Systems
Building Fixtures
The whole range of building equipment – mailboxes, windows, switches, operating elements.
more
Building Fixtures
i.e. Building Automation, Post Boxes, Linings, Energy Technology, Windows and Doors, House and Door Signage, Switches and Control Elements
Kitchen and Household
Everything that counts to the kitchen world - from crockery to cutlery, kitchen faucet to household appliance, electrical appliance to kitchen furniture.
more
Kitchen and Household
i.e. Kitchen Fittings, Cutlery and Accessories, Large Electrical Appliances, Small Electrical Appliances, Dishes and Accessories, Household Appliances, Kitchen Furniture, Kitchen Accessories
Lighting
Lights that convince - whether outdoors, at work or for decorative purposes.
more
Lighting
i.e. External Light Fixtures, Decorative Light Fixtures, Technical Light Fixtures, Work Light Fixtures
Furniture
Beds, wardrobes, cupboards, shelves, tables and other movable elements in the interior.
more
Furniture
i.e. Beds, Wardrobes, Closets and Storage, Seating Furniture, Special Furniture, Tables, Lifestyle Accessories
Outdoor Products
Furniture and accessories that make the garden and conservatory even more beautiful.
more
Outdoor Products
i.e. Garden Furniture, Conservatory Furnishings, Garden Accessories
Textiles
Fabrics you'll love: from bed linens to upholstery leather to bathroom textiles.
more
Textiles
i.e. Decorative Fabrics, Upholstery Fabric, Upholstery Leather, Table and Kitchen Linen, Bath Linens, Bed linen
Wall, Floor, Ceiling
Wallpaper, tiles, floor coverings including carpeting and rugs – everything that beautifies your home.
more
Wall, Floor, Ceiling
i.e. Wallpaper, Tiles, Carpets, Floor Coverings, Wall Coverings
YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CATEGORIES? DOWNLOAD the call for entries HERE.
Announcement 2021Registration and service fees 2022
Registration fees
details
Registration fees
EUR 320 plus VAT
per project including printing service
EUR 234 plus VAT
per project including printing service until 17 September 2021
EUR 75 plus VAT
Project handling for additional product samples up to 0.5 m (l/w/h) and up to 5 kg or for additional digital entries per project.
The entry of larger product samples is only possible upon an individual agreement with the German Design Council and will entail further mandatory costs.
Please note that in case of a distincion, the service fees for winners will apply.
Service fees
The following costs are compulsive after being awarded »Selection«, »Winner« or »Best of Best«:
»Selection«
details
Service fee »Selection«
1,850 EUR plus VAT
The award contains:
- – use of the »Selection«-label for your communications
- – two personalised winner documents
- – access to our exclusive marketing services
- – entry in the catalogue, one specimen copy of the catalogue per entrant
- – presentation of the prize-winning project in the ICONIC Directory
- – basic public relations communications and social media coverage in relation to the competition
- – Invitation to the awards ceremony and exhibition opening
- – Digital presentation of the project in the exhibition
»Winner«
details
Service fees »Winner«
2,750 EUR plus VAT
The award contains:
- – use of the »Winner«-label for your communications
- – two personalised winner documents
- – access to our exclusive marketing services
- – page entry in the catalogue, one specimen copy of the catalogue per entrant
- – presentation of the prize-winning project in the ICONIC Directory
- – comprehensive public relations communications and social media coverage in relation to the competition
- – Invitation to the awards ceremony and exhibition opening
- – Physical presentation of the project in the exhibition
»Best of Best«
Details
Service fee »Best of Best«
2,950 EUR plus VAT
The award contains:
- – use of the »Best of Best«-label for your communications
- – two personalised documents in a high-quality frame and one award trophy
- – access to our exclusive marketing services
- – full-page entry in the catalogue, one specimen copy of the catalogue per entrant
- – presentation of the prize-winning project in the ICONIC Directory
- – exclusive public relations communications and social media coverage in relation to the competition
- – invitation to the awards ceremony and exhibition opening
- – receipt of the distincion on stage
- – physical presentation of the project in the exhibition
Grant programme
The German Design Council offers all small companies and start-ups the opportunity to obtain an exemption from the possible winner's fees via a request for support.
details
Our grant programme
The German Design Council offers all small businesses, freelancers and start-ups the opportunity to submit a grant proposal for exemption from the service fees for winners that may arise. Exemption shall only take effect following close examination of the financial circumstances. The prerequisite is that the company’s annual turnover did not exceed EUR 50,000.00 during the past two years. The proposal must be submitted by 24 September 2021 (received by the German Design Council).
You can download the application form here.
Detailed information can be found in our application documents 2021.
The Jury 2021
Carole Baijings
Industrial Designer (formerly Scholten & Baijings)
Amsterdam
more
Formerly of Scholten & Baijings | Co-Founder of the Amsterdam-based studio Scholten & Baijings until 2019, Carole Baijings is widely regarded as one of the most exciting, innovative and dynamic industrial designers in Europe. A self-confessed perfectionist, her work – which includes ceramics, glassware, textiles, rugs and furniture – is distinguished by a carefully considered use of colour, pattern and graphic elements. Her eye for detail is well-known. This has resulted in numerous partnerships with brands such as Samsung, IKEA, MINI, HAY, Herman Miller, Karimoku New Standard and Maharam among others. Always looking to challenge and rethink the way people interact and live with design, Baijings’ work has been featured in prestigious institutions such as the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Rijksmuseum.
Barbara Friedrich
Design Journalist
Hamburg
more
Barbara Friedrich was the editor-in-chief from 1999 to 2016 and, most recently, the publisher of A&W Architektur&Wohnen magazine at the Hamburg Jahreszeiten publishing company. She studied communication sciences, literature and philosophy at the University of Bochum and has been involved in the fields of design, living and architecture for more than 30 years as a journalist. She was a member of the German Design Council executive committee for many years.
Giulio Ridolfo
Textile and Colour Designer
Milan, Udine
more
Giulio Ridolfo, former fashion designer, is now a colour advisor for leading textile, furniture, and interior companies. He graduated with a Master in Fashion Design from Milan’s Domus Academy in 1985. Since then, he has worked as a colour advisor to several of the world’s leading interior, clothing and footwear companies, like Moroso and Vitra to develop advanced colour systems for textile application. Ridolfo’s textile designs display a relevant array of colours more expressive of his idiosyncratic approach than the traditional offering of a full-spectrum palette.
Benjamin Wolf
Funktion Möbel
Darmstadt
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Benjamin Wolf has grown up with the theme of design from childhood. After a short excursion into the world of industrial design, he turned to the sale of design icons and holistic interior design concepts in the premium segment. After two years at the furniture school in Cologne, he gained experience at bulthaup and vitra in London. Since 2010, he has been managing the Darmstädter Möbelhaus Funktion GmbH and advising the purchasing department of Cairo AG.
Sebastian Wrong
Established and Sons / Wrong Shop
London
more
Sebastian Wrong is a designer, creative director and specialist in modern manufacturing. His fifteen year career has seen him work with some of the most preeminent designers and companies of the era. His portfolio of work spans furniture, lighting accessoiries and gallery projects. He was a founding member oft he British manufacturer Established & Sons, and under his guidance as design director, the company produced the most iconic designs of the decade. In 2011, Wrong launched the Wrong Shop, an online platform that sells edition prints by notable designers and artists from around the world. He is currently the creative director of the London based lighting manufacturer, Wrong.London. The company is progressive and independent in spirit, tapping into the idiosyncratic joy of the city in which it is baded. Wrong works closely with a talented roster of international designers who like to play with the possibilities of product. Together, they celebrate diversity, eclecticicm and good ideas.
FAQ
HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED LAST YEAR?
All in all, the 540 participants from 26 countries attended the ICONIC AWARDS 2021: Innovative Interior .
IN WHICH CATEGORIES CAN I SUBMIT MY PROJECT?
The competition is divided into nine categories. You can find them here.
WHICH AWARDS ARE PRESENTED?
At the ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Interior the awards "Selection", "Winner" and "Best of Best" are presented.
WHERE CAN I REGISTER FOR THE COMPETITION?
Registration is via My Design Council.
WHO IS ADMITTED TO THE COMPETITION?
All companies and studios whose projects fit into the competition categories.
CAN I REGISTER A PROJECT THAT HAS ALREADY WON ANOTHER GERMAN DESIGN COUNCIL COMPETITION?
Yes.
IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS I CAN ENTER FOR THE COMPETITION?
No.
HOW OLD CAN THE SUBMITTED PROJECT BE?
The project may not be older than 5 years at the time of the jury meeting.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS AND FEES?
For each registered project the registration fee of 320 Euro will be charged. Depending on the award, additional fees may apply. Information on the costs of the ICONIC AWARDS 2022: Innovative Interior can be found in the 2021 application documents.
CAN I BE EXEMPTED FROM THE FEES?
The German Design Council offers all small businesses and start-ups the opportunity to be exempted from the possible winning fees by means of a funding application. Details can be found here.