iF DESIGN AWARD 2025 honors global innovation and pays tribute to Norman Foster in Berlin
The iF DESIGN AWARD 2025 concluded with remarkable success on April 28 with the iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT held at Berlin’s prestigious Friedrichstadt-Palast. The event marked a memorable finale to one of the world’s most renowned and celebrated design competitions.
Attended by around 2,000 guests from over 50 countries, the event reaffirmed the award’s status as a global beacon of excellence in design. Over its 72-year history, the iF DESIGN AWARD has grown into a symbol of innovation and influence, and the 2025 edition set new benchmarks for participation and quality.
This year’s competition drew nearly 11,000 submissions from 66 nations, a testament to its global appeal and the design community’s trust in its prestige. A total of 2,211 participants were recognized by an esteemed international jury of 131 independent experts.
These entries were evaluated in a meticulous two-stage process that highlighted the diversity and dynamism of contemporary design. Nine key disciplines were covered, including Product Design, Communication Design, Packaging Design, Service Design, Architecture, Interior Architecture, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), and Professional Concept.
The prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD Gold was presented to 75 outstanding projects across all categories. These elite winners received their accolades from iF Design CEO Uwe Cremering and co-host Yasmine Blair on Europe’s largest theater stage. The award not only acknowledges aesthetic and functional design but also celebrates sustainability, user-centric innovation, and social impact.
Cremering emphasized the award’s significance as a worldwide benchmark for quality and innovation in design. The impressive number of entries and the breadth of international participation underline the award’s continued relevance as a guide for excellence across industries. The iF DESIGN AWARD remains a crucial platform where visionary ideas are not only celebrated but also amplified to inspire a global audience.
A deeply emotional and inspiring highlight of the evening was the presentation of the iF Design Lifetime Achievement Award to British architect and visionary Lord Norman Foster. His revolutionary contributions to global architecture include the design of iconic structures such as ‘The Gherkin’ in London, the Millennium Tower in Japan, and the glass dome of the Reichstag in Berlin.
Foster’s firm, Foster + Partners, operates from 16 offices around the world and is known for its pioneering approach to sustainable and human-focused architecture. Beyond his architectural achievements, Foster actively promotes the future of design through the Norman Foster Foundation in Madrid, which is dedicated to nurturing young talent and fostering interdisciplinary innovation. His award is a testament to a career that has not only shaped skylines but also inspired generations of designers and architects worldwide.
The evening was not only a celebration of design excellence but also a vibrant gathering of the international creative community. Visual Atelier 8 had the distinct honor of being invited to attend the ceremony, experiencing firsthand the innovation, inspiration, and cultural exchange that define the iF DESIGN AWARD. Witnessing the recognition of groundbreaking work and timeless achievement was a privilege and a reminder of the enduring power of design to shape a better world.
All images by Marlena Waldthausen, with courtesy of iF Design, shared with permission
