The award
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.
Register now!
Are you interested in taking part at the ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Interior?
The registration period for the ICONIC AWARDS 2023: Innovative Interior is unfortunately over.
We will inform you as soon as the new registration period starts.
Detailed information on participation and the award can be found in our application documents. Download the PDF file here.
November 2022
Start of the submission period
16 December 2022
Early Bird Deadline
24 February 2023
Deadline for registrations
March 2023
Jury session
April 2023
Announcement of the winners
3 June 2023
Awards ceremony at the Design Post Cologne
4 to 7 June 2023
Exhibition of the winning projects
at the Design Post Cologne
Awards ceremony and exhibition 2023
In April and June 2023, the German Design Council will exclusively present the winners of the ICONIC AWARDS 2023: Innovative Interior at two networking events.
On the occasion of the international furniture fair »Salone del Mobile«, which will take place from 18 to 23 April in the Italian city of Milan, the German Design Council will celebrate a festival in honour of the winners of the ICONIC AWARDS 2023: Innovative Interior.
In June 2023, the official award ceremony and exclusive winners' exhibition will follow as part of the »imm cologne 2023« and the »PASSAGEN Interior Design Week 2023«, which will take place in Cologne from 4 to 7 June.
ICONIC AWARDS 2023: Innovative Interior - Award Ceremony
Review of the awards ceremony 2023
The awards ceremony of the ICONIC AWARDS 2023: Innovative Interior took place on 3 January 2023 at Design Post clogne. On the same evening, the winners' exhibition was opened, which will be shown during the imm cologne – embedded in the opening event of the furniture fair in the Design Post Cologne.
Source: German Design Council / Photos: Christof Jakob – www.christofjakob.com
Your path to success
Create an account
Register in our online database »My Design Council« mdc.force.com/ MyDesignCouncil/ 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 awards and a possible distinction 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 awards
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 at the Design Post Cologne.
Our Marketing Services
Use the 'Winner' label as a communication tool within and beyond your industry.
Prominent placement
Winners are presented online in the ICONIC DIRECTORY.
Prominent presentation
From 17 to 23 January 2022 we will presenting the winning projects in an exhibition at the Design Post Cologne.
National and international awareness
With the networking event accompanying the »Salone del Mobile« in Milan, you and your product will receive even greater reach.
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, carpets, floor coverings, tiles - everything that beautifies your own four walls.
more
Wall, Floor, Ceiling
i.e. Wallpaper, Tiles, Carpets, Floor Coverings, Wall Coverings

ICONIC AWARDS: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
When registering a project or product in one of the main categories, there is the option of additionally submitting it in the »Sustainable Design« category. The submission should consider exemplary sustainable strategies from the product idea to the implementation. The focus here is on energy-efficient and functional, versatile design solutions.
YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CATEGORIES? DOWNLOAD the call for entries HERE.
Announcement 2023Registration and service fees 2023
Registration fees
details
Registration fees
EUR 320 plus VAT
per project including digital preparation
EUR 235 plus VAT
per project including digital preparation until 16 December 2022
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
- – Two individual video clips for your award
- – 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
- – Invitation to the exclusive networking event in Milan
»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
- – Two individual video clips for your award
- – 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
- – Invitation to the exclusive networking event in Milan
»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
- – Two individual video clips for your award
- – 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
- – Invitation to the exclusive networking event in Milan
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 3 February 2023 (received by the German Design Council).
You can download the application form here.
Detailed information can be found in our application documents 2023.
The Jury 2022

Monica Förster
Monica Förster Design Studio
Stockholm
more
Monica Förster, creator of some of the most internationally renowned objects in contemporary Swedish design today, grew up close to the Artic circle in the very north of Sweden. Her work is characterized by a strong sense of pure form mixed with a never ending curiosity for new materials and technology. Always trying to work in a cross-disciplinary way, she invents and renews typologies in industrial, furniture and object design. Monica Förster, one of the top names within Swedish design, has created some of the future’s classic designs. Monica Förster Design Studio is based in Stockholm and works on an international level with companies such as Volvo, Tecno, Alessi, Cappellini, Poltrona Frau, De Padova, Bernhardt, Whirlpool, Georg Jensen, Eric Joergensen, Offecct, Swedese and Rörstrand.

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.

Piero Lissoni
Architect, Designer and Art Director
Milan
more
Piero Lissoni is an architect, designer and art director - and a true specialist in the field of design. He is considered one of the masters of contemporary design and has worked with the most important international design brands, including Alessi, B&B Italia, Bonacina1889, Cappellini, Cassina, Flos, Fritz Hansen, Illy, Kartell and Kartell. Piero Lissoni also works as an art director for major brands such as Alpi, B&B Italia, Boffi, Lema, Living Divani, Lualdi, Porro and Sanlorenzo. Under the name Lissoni & Partners, he has offices in Milan and New York and works extensively with a multinational team in the fields of architecture, interior and product design, graphics, art direction and corporate identity, as well as hotel, restaurant, retail and exhibition design.

Tobias Lutz
Founder Architonic | Chief Strategy & Brand (DAAily Platforms)
Zurich
more
Born in Stuttgart, he went to Switzerland to study architecture at the ETH Zurich, where he learned from Prof. F. O. Gehry and Daniel Libeskind, among others. In 2003, he founded the architecture and design platform Architonic in Zurich with his business partner Nils Becker and, as managing director, was responsible for marketing, sales, human resources and finance. The start-up quickly grew from a product database for design objects in the premium segment to an internationally known and popular online platform for designers, manufacturers and architects. With the merger of Architonic and ArchDaily in 2020, Tobias Lutz took over the leading role in Strategy & Brand of the DAAily platforms - Designboom | Architonic | ArchDaily. Together they form the largest online community for architecture and design worldwide.

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 2022: Innovative Interior .
IN WHICH CATEGORIES CAN I SUBMIT MY PROJECT?
The award is divided into nine categories. You can find them here.
WHICH AWARDS ARE PRESENTED?
»Selection«, »Winner« and »Best of Best«. The jury of experts awards the special prizes »Brand of the Year« and »Creator of the Year«.
WHERE CAN I REGISTER FOR THE AWARDS?
Registration is via My Design Council.
WHO IS ADMITTED TO THE AWARDS?
All companies and studios whose projects fit into the awards categories.
CAN I REGISTER A PROJECT THAT HAS ALREADY WON ANOTHER GERMAN DESIGN COUNCIL AWARD?
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 session.
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 2023 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.