Which design award suits my product?

That depends on the type of product, target market and budget. The Red Dot is the best-known seal in the consumer segment, the iF Award is broader and strong in Asia, the German Design Award is particularly prestigious among SMEs. In a free initial conversation we'll recommend the right competition for you.

What does an entry to the iF Design Award cost?

Entry fees for the iF Award range, depending on category and company size, from approx. €400 to €1,500 per submission. Our consulting fee for strategy and submission copy is additional – contact us for an individual quote.

When is the deadline for the Red Dot Award 2026?

The submission deadlines for the Red Dot Award: Product Design are typically from November to February. We recommend starting preparation at least 8 weeks before the deadline.

What is the difference between the iF Award, Red Dot and German Design Award?

All three are recognised but differ in focus and reach. The Red Dot is the world's best-known seal with a focus on product design. The iF Award is broader (also packaging, UX) and strong in Asia. The German Design Award is the most prestigious national award, with advance nomination by the German Design Council. For many products we recommend multiple submissions.

We don't have our own design team – can we still take part?

Yes. Many of our clients commission external designers or developed the design in-house without a dedicated design department. What counts is the product – not the company structure.

Design Award Consulting

Design Award Consulting – iF Award, Red Dot & German Design Award 2026

Award Service advises companies on submissions to design awards – including the iF Design Award, Red Dot Award and German Design Award. We handle the submission strategy, write the application documents and create professional presentation kits. Whether you want to have your product design recognised or strengthen your brand: our clients are SMEs and startups from manufacturing, consumer goods and technology. Since 2007 we have supported hundreds of design award submissions – with clients such as Assa Abloy, VELUX, thyssenkrupp Steel Europe and weinor.

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Design Awards: Where Products and Brands Become Winners

The iF Award. The Red Dot. The German Design Award. These three honours are among the best-known design awards – and among the most effective marketing instruments a company can use. Anyone who carries one of these seals signals quality without having to say a word.

Award Service has specialised in design award consulting and design award submissions since 2007. We know the jurors' perspective, the submission logic – and the difference between a submission that gets nominated and one that wins.

The Most Important Design Awards at a Glance

iF Design Award

One of the oldest and most internationally recognised design awards in the world. Each year, thousands of products, communication concepts and user interfaces are submitted. The iF seal is an established purchasing argument, especially in B2B and the premium segment. Submission deadlines: typically October to January. More: iF Design Award Consulting.

Red Dot Award

The Red Dot stands for design excellence. The jury evaluates degree of innovation, functionality, ergonomics and form. For companies with strong product design, the most direct way to have that quality confirmed independently. Submission deadlines: typically November to February. More: Red Dot Award Consulting.

German Design Award

The most prestigious national design award, presented by the German Design Council (Rat für Formgebung). More selective than other awards: products are nominated in advance. Ideal for SMEs and 'Made in Germany'. The related German Brand Award recognises outstanding brand management.

German Innovation Award

Also presented by the German Design Council, this award focuses on degree of innovation and benefit to users and society – a good fit for products with a clear innovation edge.

Good Design Award (Japan)

The renowned Japanese 'G Mark' is one of the most important design seals in Asia. For export-oriented companies, a strong trust signal in one of the world's largest design markets.

Focus Open

The international design award of Baden-Württemberg recognises outstanding industrial and product design – particularly relevant for manufacturers from the SME sector.

Why the Submission Is Decisive

A good product isn't enough. With design awards, the quality of the submission often matters more than the product itself – because a jury doesn't hold the original in their hands, but assesses photos, texts and presentation kits.

Strategic Preparation
Which award suits which product? In which category are the chances greatest? Our design competition consulting analyses your portfolio and recommends the optimal competition – including timing and budget.

Submission Copy
Concise, to the point, jury-appropriate. We word product descriptions and rationales so that they directly address the evaluation criteria of the respective jury.

Presentation Kits and Submission Logistics
From a professional presentation kit to the complete submission – we take care of the execution so that no deadline is missed.

For Startups: Establishing Design as a Differentiator Early

For startups with a strong product or a clear design language, design awards are an often underestimated instrument. An iF or Red Dot seal in the first or second year signals to investors, retailers and customers: there's more to this than a good idea.

iF Design Award – Startup category – a dedicated scoring category for young companies, with a reduced entry fee
Red Dot: Emerging Talents – a young-talent category with international visibility
Bundespreis Produktdesign – a state design award, free of charge, open to companies of all sizes

For startups our approach is slightly different: we help describe the product so that the innovative idea and market understanding are immediately apparent to jurors – even when series production or market data are still missing.

References: Clients Who Have Won With Us

Assa Abloy · thyssenkrupp Steel Europe · VELUX Deutschland · weinor · blomus · Hase Bikes · ASSMANN Büromöbel – mid-sized and international companies from manufacturing, consumer goods and the furnishing sector.

Frequently asked questions

: That depends on the type of product, target market and budget. The Red Dot is the best-known seal in the consumer segment, the iF Award is broader and strong in Asia, the German Design Award is particularly prestigious among SMEs. In a free initial conversation we'll recommend the right competition for you.
: Entry fees for the iF Award range, depending on category and company size, from approx. €400 to €1,500 per submission. Our consulting fee for strategy and submission copy is additional – contact us for an individual quote.
: The submission deadlines for the Red Dot Award: Product Design are typically from November to February. We recommend starting preparation at least 8 weeks before the deadline.
: All three are recognised but differ in focus and reach. The Red Dot is the world's best-known seal with a focus on product design. The iF Award is broader (also packaging, UX) and strong in Asia. The German Design Award is the most prestigious national award, with advance nomination by the German Design Council. For many products we recommend multiple submissions.
: Yes. Many of our clients commission external designers or developed the design in-house without a dedicated design department. What counts is the product – not the company structure.

Plan Your Submission Now

The next submission deadlines for the iF Award and Red Dot start in autumn. Those who plan now have more lead time – and better results.