Terms of Participation
iF DESIGN AWARD 2024

Who can participate?

The iF DESIGN AWARD is open to all projects matching the disciplines and categories named below.

The projects can be registered by designers, creators, agencies, brand managers, manufacturers, architects as well as individuals.

DISCIPLINES & CATEGORIES

There is a discipline and category for every design – yours too.
If you can’t find one that fits, contact award@ifdesign.com– we’re here to help!

1.01 Automobiles / Vehicles

Cars, accessories and components (wheels, steering wheels, engine compartments, instruments, controls, lighting), agricultural vehicles / machines, airplanes, drones and multicopters, buses, car entertainment systems, caravans, commercial vehicles, cranes and lifting gear, interior and exterior design, industrial trucks, motorcycles / scooters, navigation devices, products for aviation, rail vehicles, ships / boats / yachts, special vehicles, trailers, and more.

1.02 Sports / Outdoor

Sports / sports equipment / sportswear, fitness and activity trackers, camping / camping equipment, GPS devices, solar chargers, outdoor products, hiking gear, and more.

1.03 Bicycles

Trekking-, Touring- & Urban Bikes, Folding Bikes, Cargo Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Race Bikes, Gravel Bikes, Children's Bikes, Special Bikes, Bike Helmets, Bike Computers, Bike Lighting, Bike Clothing, Bike Components and Accessories.

1.04 Leisure

Fashion and clothing, bags, luggage, musical instruments, pet products, eyeglasses and more.

1.05 Musical Instruments

String instruments, keyboards, wind instruments, drums, percussion, studio & stage equipment, home recording and streaming.

1.06 Babies / Kids

All products for babies and kids such as diaper bags, clothing, lifestyle accessories for children and babies, playground equipment, kitchen aids, toys, school essentials, teaching supplies and more.

1.07 Watches / Jewelry

Watches, clocks, alarm clocks, smart watches, accessories and more.

1.08 Audio

Audio recorders, audio players, headphones, hi-fi devices, loudspeakers, mobile loudspeakers, PC speakers, MP3 players, radios, studio equipment, accessories and more.

1.09 TV / Cameras

Cameras, media players, DVD and Blu Ray devices, televisions, photo frames, presentation equipment, projectors, set-top boxes, recorders, remote controls, surveillance cameras and technologies, and more.

1.10 Telecommunication

Cell phones, DECT devices, batteries, charging devices, headsets, telephones, telephone systems, networking technology, portable printer, routers, 2-way radios, VOIP devices, audio / video devices for conferences, accessories and more.

1.11 Computer

Notebooks, PDAs, tablets, accessories, batteries, casings, charging devices, power banks, computers, computer loudspeaker systems, copiers, e-readers, in- and output devices, keyboards and mice, monitors, peripherals, printers, scanners, servers, storage devices, robots and more.

1.12 Gaming / VR / AR

Gaming input devices: gaming mice, gaming keyboards, gamepads, gaming controllers, gaming monitors, gaming PCs, gaming consoles, gaming phone, gaming AIOs, gaming tablets, gaming notebooks, gaming laptops, gaming chassis and more. 

1.13 Office

Conference furniture, filing systems, office accessories, office fittings, office furniture, plugs, reception areas, writing implements and pens (analog and digital), and more.

1.14 Lighting

Lighting systems, accessories, flashlights, lamps, lights, safety lights, workplace lighting and more.

1.15 Home Furniture / Decoration

Living room and bedroom furniture, accessories, fixtures and fittings, mirrors, wall clocks, home decoration and accessories, stoves and pellet stoves, and more.

1.16 Kitchen

Coffee machines, cooker hoods, dishwashers, fixtures and fittings, hobs and ovens, kitchen appliances (mixers, juicers, egg cookers etc.), kitchen furniture and technology, kitchen systems, microwaves, refrigerators and freezers, water purifier, water dispenser, sinks and more.

1.17 Household / Tableware

Cookware and tableware, cutlery, glassware and ceramics, household utensils (trashcans, mops etc.), vacuum cleaners, devices for disinfection of everyday objects, ironing and pressing equipment, ventilators, table air purifiers, washing machines, dryers and more.

1.18 Bathroom

Bath furniture, bath and sanitary wares, bath and wellness areas, control elements and systems, fixtures and fittings, saunas, whirlpools and more.

1.19 Garden

Gardening tools, garden furniture, barbecues, sunshades, lawn mowers, wheelbarrows, outdoor fireplaces, garden tables and chairs, pressure washers and more.

1.20 Building Technology

Air conditioning, floor stand air purifiers, balconies, conservatories, doors, fittings and systems, garages, gates, switches, door handles, heating technology, plumbing technology, marquees, railings, roofs, security technology, solar systems, smart home products, temperature control technology, windows and more.

1.21 Public / Retail

Furniture and furnishing systems (for banks, bus stops, health, hotels, libraries, lounges, museums, parks, playgrounds, public spaces, restaurants, shops, staff canteens, social areas, street furniture, wellness etc.), street lamps, ATM systems and banking machines, exhibition systems, outdoor advertising systems, LED screens for events, retail interiors, shop systems / POS systems, terminals for public spaces / info systems / wayfinding and orientation systems, and more.

1.22 Medicine / Health

Assisted living products, assisted living technology, clinical and laboratory equipment, hospital, medical / healthcare devices and equipment, rehabilitation and more.

1.23 Beauty / Care

Skincare products, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, hairdryers, shavers, massage devices, sex toys and more.

1.24 Industry / Tools

Conveyor technology, hoisting technology, industrial scanners, logistic systems, machines, materials handling, measuring and testing technologies and laboratory technology, production engineering, robotic technology, systems engineering, tools, components and more.

1.25 Textiles / Wall / Floor

Carpets, curtains, floorings, paints / coatings, materials with innovative properties, smart materials, tiles, upholstery textiles, veneers, wall covering, wallpaper and more.

2.01 Beverages

All types of packaging for beverages.

2.02 Food

All types of packaging for food and pet food.

2.03 Beauty / Health

All types of packaging for perfume, care products, cosmetics, hygiene products, pharmacy products and more.

2.04 Medicine / Pharmaceutics

All types of packaging for medicine, natural remedies and medical products, and more.

2.05 Household

Packaging for all types of cleaning products, household products and more.

2.06 Consumer Products

All types of packaging for products such as jewelry, watches, clothes and accessories, sports articles, toys, music, games and videos, headphones, MP3 players, computers and accessories, cameras and accessories, mobile technology devices and accessories, kitchen appliances and more.

2.07 Industry / B2B

All types of packaging for industrial and business-to-business products.

2.08 Non-branded Packaging

Non-branded packaging with a focus on ergonomics and functionality.

3.01 Product and Service Branding

Branding of specific products or services consisting of multiple elements of the brand like logos, sounds, colors, wording, slogans, website, POS including events which focus on building a product or service brand.

3.02 Company Branding

Branding focused on whole companies consisting of multiple elements like: coporate fashion, company logos, stationary, signage, colors & materials including events which focus on building a company brand.







3.03 Public Branding

Branding of museums, cities, regions, countries, institutions, foundations, NGOs, public organizations including events which focus on building a public brand.








3.04 Employer Branding

Measures and media to increase the attractiveness of employers in regard to their employees including events which focus on employer branding.

3.05 Sound Branding

Sound Logos, Corporate Voices, Corporate Anthems, Brand Songs, Jingles, Sound Scapes, Product , Usage Sounds and more.

3.06 Websites

Blogs, brand sites, corporate websites, e-Commerce, landing pages, microsites, online shops, promotional sites, public websites, service websites, social media, web TV and more.

3.07 Publications

Digital or print publications such as books, calendars, catalogs, coffee table books, comics, illustrations, magazines, newspapers and more.

3.08 Apps / Software

Business application software, city guides, games, informational software, mobile and stationary application software, online and offline applications, shopping applications, social media and more.

3.09 Campaigns / Advertising

Print or digital individual ads or entire campaigns including banners, direct marketing materials, mailings, newsletters, posters, product and advertising brochures, POS advertising, content marketing, out-of-home advertising and more.

3.10 Film / Video

Commercials, corporate films, ads, image videos, video podcasts and more.

3.11 Typography / Signage

Pictograms, logos, signets, signage, symbols, typography, wayfinding and orientation systems, and more.

4.01 Trade Fairs / Exhibitions

Exhibition and trade fair architecture as an element of brand communication.

4.02 Cultural Exhibitions

Exhibition architecture in public institutions such as museums.

4.03 Shops / Showroom Interiors

Retail architecture as an element of brand communication including sales centers.

4.04 Hospitality Interiors

Bars, bed & breakfasts, cafés, casinos, hotels, lounges, restaurants, spas and recreational areas, staff canteens and more.

4.05 Residential Interiors

Residential homes, apartments, bedrooms, dressing rooms, kitchens, living rooms, nurseries and more.

4.06 Office Interiors

Administration buildings, banks and financial institutions, doctors’ offices, insurance companies, law practices, office buildings, production facilities and more.

4.07 Public Interiors

Administration buildings, clinics, colleges, kindergartens, libraries, museums, schools, universities and more.

4.08 Installations

Installations in public spaces (digital, interactive, brick-and-mortar, etc.) in exhibitions, on sales floors, in shopping malls, at trade fairs, in museums, in urban or outdoor areas and more.

Experimental and conceptual designs, commissioned works that have not yet been published, studies and research projects, innovative design concepts whose implementation is not planned or expected before 2025, in the following categories:

5.01 Product Concepts

5.02 Communication Concepts

5.03 Packaging Concepts

5.04 Interior Architecture Concepts

5.05 Service Design Concepts

5.06 Architecture Concepts

5.07 User Experience Concepts

5.08 User Interface Concepts

Projects that optimize a service for customers or users. The aim is to improve service in different levels and with different tools. A project can be an improvement of an existing service or a creation of a new service.

Entries must explain the design challenge, the solution process and the result including the bundle of measures and the kind of service design methods used to solve the problem. The presentation must show the elements of the solution (for example app, events, graphics, packaging, product) and the role these elements play in the service design process.

The main difference between service design and product design is that service design is not only the design of a physical product. A product can be only a part of a whole service design process.

6.01 Healthcare / Wellness

6.02 Transportation / Logistics

6.03 Financial Services / Insurance

6.04 Retail / Sales

6.05 Culture / Tourism

6.06 Education / Learning

6.07 Government / Institutions

6.08 Social Behavior / Responsibility

6.09 Industry Productivity / Maintenance Systems

7.01 Public Architecture

Civic centers, community buildings, institutional buildings, governmental buildings, cultural buildings, embassies, monuments, police & fire stations, parliaments, town halls, prisons, museums, theatres & opera houses, libraries, concert halls, schools, universities, kindergartens, training centers, conference centers, hospitals, nursing homes, zoos, religious buildings, infrastructure, roads, bridges, parking facilities, airports, bus stations, port facilities, railway stations, sports facilities, stadiums, arenas and more.

7.02 Residential Architecture

Apartment buildings, country houses, coastal houses, estates, mansions, multi-unit housing, multiple housing, private houses, single housing, social housing, student housing and more.

7.03 Office / Industry Architecture

Administrative buildings, banks and financial institutions, corporate headquarters, estates, factories, farm buildings, office buildings, production facilities and more.

7.04 Retail / Hospitality Architecture

Amusement parks, chain stores, cinemas, concept stores, department stores, galleries, hostels, hotels, malls, nightclubs, outlet centers, recreation centers, resorts, restaurants, tourist attractions, pubs & bars, shops, shopping centers, wineries and more.

7.05 Urban / Landscape Architecture

City planning, urban planning, urban development projects, cemeteries, golf clubs, lighting design, outdoor areas, parks, plazas, private gardens, public gardens, streets and more.

7.06 Mixed Use Architecture

Buildings combining different kinds of usage scenarios.

Projects that focus on designing the experience of users when using products, communication design, packaging, interiors & architecture as well as projects that use a mix from all of the above. Entries should focus on optimizing the feelings and the experiences the users have while interacting with the project.

Reminder: User experience design is not the design of an interface. Interfaces are often an important part of an experience, but if your project focuses on the creation of the user interface, please register in the discipline "User Interface".

8.01 Product UX

8.02 Communication UX

8.03 Packaging UX

8.04 Interior & Architecture UX

8.05 Mixed Media UX

9.01 Product Interfaces

Digital interfaces for physical objects. To put it simple: everything that happens on the screen of a product.

9.02 Interfaces for Digital Media

Interfaces for non-physical entries. For example: websites, apps and software.

Jury Process

The winners of the iF DESIGN AWARD will be chosen in a two step process – the iF Online Preselection and the iF Final Jury. Renowned, independent international design experts will use a defined set of criteria to evaluate the entries. The criteria will be used by the jurors to give scores to individual aspects of each entry.

iF Online Preselection

Leading international design experts will use the digital material submitted with the registration to choose 50 per cent of the entries to take part in the Final Jury. Each registration will be judged according to a scorecard and you as a participant will be given insight into the jury’s judgement.

When an entry is selected for the Final Jury, it has to participate in the Final Jury and the jury fee has to be paid for each selected entry.

iF Final Jury

In February 2024, around 90 experts from all over the world will come together to select the winners in the iF DESIGN AWARD 2024. The jury session will last for three days. Behind closed doors, the jury will examine, touch, explore, test, analyze and, most importantly, thoroughly discuss all entries. Applying for an award does not mean you will win one. The jury’s decision is final; there is no legal recourse.

Evaluation Criteria

DATES

Early bird registration
30 June 2023

Regular registration
29 September 2023

Last chance registration
8 November 2023

Online preselection
4 - 8 December 2023

Results online preselection
Mid December 2023

Shipment of entries to jury
14 December 2023 – 31 January 2024
Only for entries which have qualified for the iF Final Jury!

Jury session
End of February 2024
Berlin, Germany

Publication
Beginning of March 2024
Publication in iF DESIGN website, press releases, newsletter

Awards ceremony
29 April 2024
iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT

FEES AT A GLANCE

Registration fees per entry

Discipline: Product, Packaging, Communication, Interior Architecture, Professional Concept, Service Design, Architecture, User Experience, User Interface

Registration by 30 June 2023:
EUR 250
Registration by 29 September 2023:
EUR 350
Registration by 8 November 2023:
EUR 450

  • The registration has to be paid to participate.

  • It covers the costs for the organization and execution of the Online Preselection.

  • You will receive an invoice via email within a few days after submission of the online registration.

  • The invoice can be paid via bank transfer or credit card.

Jury fee per entry

EUR 300

Disciplines:

Products, Packaging, Communication, Interior Architecture, Professional Concept, Service Design, Architecture, User Experience, User Interface

The Jury fee must be paid for each entry selected in the iF Online Preselection. Participation in the iF Final Jury is mandatory for all entries selected. Not paying the Jury fee is not an official cancellation. iF reserves the right to accept entries to the iF Final Jury even though the Jury fee has not been paid.

The jury fee includes organization and assessment process. You will receive an invoice via email in Mid-December. The invoice can be paid via bank transfer or credit card. As participant you must pay all transport, customs and insurance fees.

Fees for award winners per entry

Discipline:

Product, Packaging
EUR 3,000

Communication, Interior Architecture, Professional Concept, Service Design, Architecture, User Experience, User Interface
EUR 2,500

This fee is a mandatory fee for each awarded entry.

The entries selected by the jury will receive the iF DESIGN AWARD. Upon the granting of the award, award winners are obliged to accept the 'winners' package and to pay the relevant fee listed in the price list for each awarded entry.

All fees are listed as net amounts. VAT may have to be added depending on the type of service and on the participant’s place of residence.

Benefits for Winners

The winners package includes the following services:

  • iF jury feedback chart: Get detailed insights into the evaluation of your entry

  • Use of iF winner’s logo with no time limit

  • Two free copies of the display certificate and in addition: paper certificates as pdf files

  • Presentation of your awarded entry in the special Winners' Collection on the www.ifdesign.com with no time limit

  • A free company profile which is automatically published on the iF website

  • iF top label: A team, studio or company has the chance to receive several iF top labels for excellence in different areas

  • Text modules for your own press, PR measures and social media activities

  • Digital winners’ campaign: Our online marketing campaign will highlight the winners with the digital spotlight

  • Get a special price on the second edition of the iF Design Trend Report (EUR 149 instead of EUR 199)

  • Invitation to iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT 2024

For more information please click here.

Registration

Registrations are possible only online. Please enter the following information in the registration form.

  • Basic: entry name, discipline, category and tags to describe your entry

  • Media: additional media like images, video-links, website URLs or PDFs

  • Description: a short description plus a text for each criteria (650 characters each)

  • Details: further details of your entry like launch date, dimensions, target group etc.

  • Credits: companies and individuals involved in the project

A product series / packaging series can be registered as one entry. All elements of the series must be available to the jury. At least one element must be submitted as an original product; further elements can be submitted in print format (brochure or charts/boards) or on request with digital media. If you are entering a series, please specify that your entry consists of several elements in the short description and upload pictures that show all elements of the series.

Entries in the following disciplines and categories must be less than two years old at the date of registration or must be launched, published or realized in 2024.

Disciplines:
Product, Packaging, Communication, Interior Architecture, Architecture, Service Design, User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI)

Discipline Professional Concept
Future-oriented, professional concepts and studies whose implementation is not planned or expected before 2025.

Projects that were realized solely for the purpose of participating in the iF DESIGN AWARD as well as student concepts are not eligible.

To take part, you must accept these Terms of Participation of the iF DESIGN AWARD 2024 and the general terms and conditions.

Further Information

PDF

Upload a PDF file containing images, drawings, plans, layouts and descriptive text. The content should not be identical to the registration form. It must contain additional information explaining your entry more in detail.

  • Language: English

  • Number of pages: maximum of 8 pages

  • File size: maximum 10 MB

  • Format: Landscape

  • Screen resolution: 2560x 1440 pixels

Media Link

Enter a link to a website, microsite, App Store, Google Play Store or an online video platform like YouTube, Vimeo or any other domain which is accessible in Germany. If a password is required, please enter it in the labelled field.

Videos must be in English or with English subtitles and must be no longer than 2 minutes.

The URL must be live and accessible until 1 March 2024.

Guidelines for Digital Material

All data from tab “Media” will be used for the jury evaluation process only. They will not be published!

Please enter at least one media: PDF file or video link.

Describe your product from the designer's perspective. Do not use any advertising text, give fact-based information. Focus on materials, ergonomics, functions, scale, innovation, production details, etc.

Present as many product photos as possible including close-ups. Do not use renderings, present your product with real photos. Show the product in relation to a human being.

Support your data with a video. Do not provide any advertising videos, use a fact-based presentation video!
Give a personal introduction of the product or show the unboxing. The video does not have to be expensive and can be done with your smartphone.

Please enter at least one media: PDF file or video link.

Describe your packaging design from the designer's perspective. Do not use any advertising text, give fact-based information. Focus on graphic and structural design, considering aspects such as typography, artwork, the logo or brand name, use of color, as well as structural aspects such as shape, form, silhouette and materials.

Present as many photos of the packaging as possible including close-ups. Do not use renderings, present your entry with real photos.

Support your data with a video. Do not provide any advertising videos, use a fact-based presentation video!
Give a personal introduction of the packaging design, show the unboxing. The video does not have to be expensive and can be done with your smartphone.

Describe your project from a communication designer’s perspective.

For websites, microsites, landing pages, social media sites, online shops, etc. please enter the direct link. If the site is not available in English language, explain it with a PDF presentation including screenshots. For Apps you must provide a PDF or video demo version. In addition, you can also enter the download link of the App Store or Google Play Store, but keep in mind that we cannot guarantee that a judge will download an app on a private device. Therefore, a demo version or a screenshot presentation is strongly recommended.

Films and videos must be published on a video platform like YouTube or Vimeo. It is not possible to upload any video files on our server.

For corporate identity, branding or advertising projects as well as for magazines, etc. please enter at least one media: PDF file or video link.

Please enter at least one media: PDF file or video link.

A PDF file should include floor plans, layout and a detailed project description.

Describe your project from the point of view of an architect or interior designer. Focus on the overall concept, materials, aesthetics, environmental aspects from a visual, contextual and cultural perspective, quality, materials and sustainability, commerciality, etc.

Support your data with a video, if available.

Please enter at least one media: PDF file or video link.

Describe the concept from the designer’s perspective. Focus on the idea, innovation, aesthetics, functionality, material, impact, emotional aspects, differentiation, realization possibilities, etc.

Support your data with a video, if available.

A PDF file including a combination of images, plans, layouts and fact-based text is mandatory. In addition, you can add a video link or a link to a website.

To explain your service design projects as best as possible, please try to find answers to the following questions:

  • What was the design challenge of your project?

  • Who are the customers and the relevant stakeholders? How they were involved?

  • Explain the process

  • What methods have been applied? What did you learn about the customer perspective?

  • Was there a test phase?

  • What were the results for customers or relevant stakeholders?

  • Are the results useful and serviceable for the customers and efficient and unique for the company?

A PDF file including a combination of images, plans, layouts and project description is mandatory. In addition, you can add a video link or a link to a website.

Describe your project from the view of an UX designer. Focus on the overall concept, solution process, improvement, innovation, relevance, etc. and point out the experience of the user/customer.

Please enter at least one media: PDF file or video link.

Describe the user interface from a designer’s perspective. Focus on technology, functionality and usability, the interactivity and interaction content, emotional aspects, etc.

Present as many photos as possible showing the different views/screens oft the user interface. Add photos of the UI in context with the hardware/product.

Support your data with a demo video. The video does not have to be expensive and can be done with your smartphone.

Presentation to the iF Final Jury

For the final jury you can choose between a digital or physical presentation for disciplines Product, Packaging, Communication and Product Interfaces.

Entries in the other disciplines have to be presented with digital media. The requirements for these disciplines are the same as for the iF Online Preselection.

For the physical presentation please note the following requirements:

Discipline Product, Packaging and UI

Please ship a physical sample for the jury evaluation.

For a series at least one element must be submitted as an original product; further elements can be submitted in print format (brochure or charts/boards).

Discipline Communication

Categories: Corporate Identity / Branding, Magazines / Press / Publishing, Campaigns / Advertising, Annual Reports, Typography / Signage

Brochures, books, annual reports, calendars, catalogues, magazines etc. should be submitted as original items. One or two copies are enough, preferable the English version.

Posters must be mounted on cardboard (no larger than DIN A1).

If you would like to present your entry on boards, please submit a maximum of 8 boards (no lager than DIN A1).

Shipment of physical submissions

If your entry has been selected for the iF Final Jury, you can choose between a physical or digital presentation. In case of physical presentation, you will be asked to enter logistic information on your entry.

You have to send an original sample to the jury location in Berlin, Germany.

We will send you further details regarding the logistic process if your entry qualified for the iF Final Jury.

CONTACT

Germany (Headquarter)
+49 511 54224-224
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China
+86 755 82530080-802
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Japan
+81 80 96914908
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South Korea
+82 2 517 6426
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Taiwan
+886 2 27667007-15
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Brazil
+55 41 30767332
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The Netherlands
+31 6 42324016
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Italy
+34 635 076381
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Spain
+34 635 076381
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Turkey
+90 212 8062259
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