A Global Platform for your Design
iF DESIGN has been a symbol of design excellence and an active member of the international design community since 1953.
Recording equipment and musical instruments are designed to capture and reproduce sound as authentically as possible. In designing products such as loudspeakers, drum kits, amplifiers, keyboards and mixing consoles, the process involves matching technological advancements with the time-tested skills and preferences of musicians, recording professionals and audiophiles.
The iF DESIGN AWARD honours those who successfully blend innovation with a deep respect for musical tradition and expertise.
iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 - Overview
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Easily Apply Today
Getting started is fast and simple. Create a free my iF account, enter your project’s basic information, and finalize your entry before November 5th.
Use the regular registration rate until September 26, 2025, more details below.
Want to put your best foot forward? Contact us for help or visit our FAQs to learn more.
Detailed Feedback
From almost 11,000 entries, the iF Expert Jury selects the top 50% of projects to progress to the Final Jury stage. After these two stages, jurors select the winners based on scores across five key criteria. The scoring process for both rounds is detailed in the iF Jury Feedback Chart(s). Use this to compare your success with the average scores of all other submitted entries.
As a finalist, you can choose whether you would like to submit your entry to the final jury in physical or digital form.
International attention
For you, your team, your project and your design: Through our iF Winners Campaign, we will publicize your success in the press, on social media, at events and via global design platforms.
Win Gold and take centre stage at our international Winners Gala in Berlin!
Your award-winning project will also be presented indefinitely on ifdesign.com, in the Metaverse, and in the iF Design App. Last but not least, receive points for the global iF Design Ranking to use as a marketing tool.
The iF Design Ranking
As an iF DESIGN AWARD finalist or winner, you will receive between 5 and 100 points for the iF Design Ranking, based on results from the past five years.
Whích players in your industry focus on design excellence?
BE AMONG THE BEST
Audio and Musical Instruments
This category collects many different achievements like conference audio systems, soundbars, audio recorders, car speaker, amplifier, players, headphones, earbuds, hi-fi devices, loudspeakers, turntables, MP3 players, radios, studio & stage equipment, home recording, streaming, and more.
Even musical instruments can be registered in this category: Amps, PAs, Gear, Sequencers, Samplers, Electric Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Solid Body Guitars, Bass Guitars, Grand Pianos, Organs, Synths, Drum Sets, Snares, HiHats, Cybals, Rides, Drum-Pads, Tom-toms, Bass-Drum, Kick drums. Flutes, Saxophones, Brass, Violins, Cellos, Double basses
Please get in touch if you need any support!
ANY QUESTIONS?
The international iF Team is happy to advise and assist you! Leave your address here and we will contact you asap.
Jury Process
The iF DESIGN AWARD jury process is divided into two stages: An online preselection, sorting out about 50 percent of all entries - and a physical final jury, deciding on the winners.
All entries are evaluated based on five updated criteria, developed together with a team of international design experts. Each juror enters his or her detailed assessment of each entry into the iF Digital Jury Tool©, which will then be available to ALL participants as a feedback chart.
Dates for the 2026 Award
Early Bird Registration Deadline | 27 June 2025 |
Regular Registration Deadline | 26 September 2025 |
Last Chance Registration Deadline | 5 November 2025 |
iF Online Preselection | 1– 4 December 2025 |
iF Final Jury in Hamburg | 10 – 12 February 2026 |
iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT 2026 in Berlin | 27 April 2026 |
iF Design Trend Conference 2026 in Berlin | 28 April 2026 |
Fees at a Glance
Registration Fees | |
|---|---|
Early Bird Deadline until 27 June 2025 | EUR 300 per entry |
Regular Deadline until 26 September 2025 | EUR 400 per entry |
Last Chance Deadline until 5 November 2025 | EUR 500 per entry |
Jury Fees | |
|---|---|
For all entries qualified for the iF Final Jury | EUR 300 per entry |
Winners Fees | |
|---|---|
Product Design / Packaging Design | EUR 3,300 per entry |
For all other disciplines | EUR 2,900 per entry |