iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD 2025

• More than 7,000 entries from 74 countries – a record!

• The 100 best concepts by students from 23 nations were honored with the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD 2025.

• Eight visionary concepts from eight different countries received a total of EUR 50,000 in prize money – they impressed the jury with their pioneering approaches and social impact.

• The competition categories correspond to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

• The iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD has become even more international: more than 7,000 entries come from 74 nations – a record number.

Now, on 20 June 2025, the 100 most groundbreaking concepts from 23 nations were honored with the coveted iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD 2025 at the iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The eight most outstanding concepts were also rewarded with a total of EUR 50,000 in prize money.

From innovative bricks that counteract the global textile waste crisis to hotplates that replace environmentally harmful fuels with solar-generated hydrogen – the range of concepts dedicated to solving the United Nations' SDGs is enormous. Uwe Cremering, iF Design CEO, who presented the awards to the winners on the big stage at the Guggenheim Museum, was overwhelmed by the internationality of the competition: "Never before has the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD been so international – and never before have so many award winners from all over the world come on stage to receive their award in person. After last year's Triennale in Milan, the Guggenheim Museum now provides an impressive setting for the young design talents who put their heart and soul into making the world a better place. A big thank you to our partners here in Bilbao – as well as to the jury of experts who evaluated over 7,000 submissions with great dedication."

In addition to the awards ceremony, iF Design, together with EIDE BASQUE DESIGN, organized an exciting two-day program for the award winners – with visits to universities and the creative industry as well as workshops and networking events. A big thank you goes to the local sponsors Bilbao City Council, Bizkaia Provincial Council, Basque Government, who helped to make Bilbao a hotspot for young international designers for two days!

We would also like to thank our international sponsors:

Grohe, Düsseldorf / Germany
Wonderland, Taipei / Taiwan
Compal Electronics, Taipei / Taiwan
Casarte (Haier), Qingdao / China

for their long-standing and loyal support of our activities to provide sustainable and high-quality support for young international designers as part of the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD.

The concepts submitted to the competition will be evaluated on the basis of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 to 15:

No Poverty / Zero Hunger / Good Health and Well-being / Quality Education / Gender Equality / Clean Water and Sanitation / Affordable and Clean Energy / Decent Work and Economic Growth / Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure / Reduced Inequalities / Sustainable Cities and Communities / Responsible Consumption and Production / Climate Action / Life Below Water / Life on Land

The jurors of the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD 2025 evaluated all entries based on five updated criteria. The concepts must achieve above-average marks in response to the following questions:

• Does it solve a problem?

• Does it reflect or promote high moral- ethical standards?

• Does it strengthen group relations?

• Does it make economic sense?

• Does it create a positive experience?

Eight concepts with a total of EUR 50,000 in prize money in the overview:

1. BLUST – Refrigerated backpack for the safe transportation of blood samples - developed to maintain the cold chain in remote regions of Africa

2. HydrogenCooker – Environmentally friendly hotplate that offers a sustainable alternative to harmful and environmentally damaging fuels for cooking in Cameroon

3. TextileRefuge – Innovative brick that transforms textile waste into a sustainable and locally usable resource in Ghana

4. SnowStride – Innovative snowshoe system that supports the recovery of people with lower limb injuries

5. CalmTouch – Clinical thermometers with the aim of providing compassionate medical care for refugees from conflict areas

6. Story EMonster – Toys for autistic children to help them recognize, express and understand the emotions of others

7. Tando – App, with locally available materials and tools, thus enabling the production of important goods

8. Carbon and Cloud – App to educate and guide people to better understand and manage the carbon emissions associated with cloud usage

>>> All 100 award-winning concepts on the iF Design website!