70 years of iF Design
Your trust makes it possible
Seven decades of design experience have taught us a few things. One is to trust in the transformative power of design. Two is that we can make a positive impact by promoting those who make a difference. Three: the continual dialogue with designers, partners, and friends has made us what we are today. For that, we say thank you.
1953
Start with a bang.
The visionary entrepreneur and designer Philip Rosenthal (porcelain company) creates the institution iF e. V. together with the Hannover Messegesellschaft and the Federation of German Industry in Hannover.
1954
The iF DESIGN AWARD celebrates its premiere.
41 jurors walk through the exhibition halls of the HANNOVER FAIR awarding products directly on site.
1974
The iF DESIGN AWARD celebrates its 20th anniversary.
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, iF Design launches an “experiment” and organizes the “Trend 74”- show.
1984
100,000 visitors interested in design
iF Design attracts more than 100,000 visitors interested in the subject of design throughout the year.
1997
Coveted since Day One.
Herbert H. Schultes (former head designer of SIEMENS AG) creates the golden iF trophy – a sculpture which embodies excellent design to this day.
2001
Founding iF International Forum Design GmbH.
iF International Forum Design GmbH takes over the operating business which includes organizing and hosting the iF DESIGN AWARDS.
2003
Hello talents.
With the launch of the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD, design students are given a platform to showcase their creative ideas.
2007
iF Design subsidiary Taiwan
iF Design Taiwan Ltd. is established in Taipei to promote the iF DESIGN AWARD and to broaden contact with the Taiwanese design community.
2008
iF Design subsidiary Republic of Korea
A year later, iF founds its own subsidiary in Seoul to strengthen the connection with the Korean design industry.
2015
The first iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE is born
With the iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE, iF Design wants to put the spotlight on social projects that offer solutions to pressing issues of our time and move society forward. Every year, projects are funded with EUR 100,000 in prize money.
2018
Designing education: iF Design Foundation.
The nonprofit iF Design Foundation is set up in Hannover. Its aim is to promote design and its social significance, away from commercial pressures and restrictions.The foundation is the sole shareholder of iF International Forum Design GmbH.
2022
iF goes Berlin: The first awards ceremony gala in Berlin
For the first time, the winners of the iF DESIGN AWARD 2022 are celebrated in Berlin. Almost 1,500 guests from 36 countries visit the legendary Friedrichstadt-Palast.
2022
The first iF Design Trend Report
The iF Trend Report is a new offering from iF Design. A digital read about current developments that makes you think, looks at contexts holistically, and aims to be a helpful working basis for designers in their respective fields of work.
2022
Digital Transformation
A completely new digital ecosystem makes iF Design further fit for the future. New paths were created for the more than 50,000 data records of all designs that have won the iF DESIGN AWARD since 1954 and the brands behind them, and are channeled into high-performance showcase modules.
2023
iF Design subsidiary in New York
On a growth course, iF branches into the American market and is therefore opening its own subsidiary in New York. The new team will be the link between Germany and the USA to strengthen networking.
2023
70 years of iF Design
Today, iF Design says thank you to 21,317 creative participants from 113 countries who have taken part in the iF DESIGN AWARD so far. 1,025 independent international jurors have made fair and independent decisions during this time. We express our heartfelt thanks to all participants and jurors – past and present – and to all friends of iF Design!
Be a part of the next 70 years!
And continue to write the iF Design success story together with us.
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