Haier Design Prize 2026 by iF
With the Haier Design Prize 2026 by iF, Haier reinforces its strong commitment to nurturing emerging design talent. As part of the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD 2026, four outstanding student concepts from Germany, Japan, the USA, and the Republic of Korea were honored at a ceremony in Frankfurt, World Design Capital 2026.
Presented on the main stage at Westhafen Pier 1, the award highlights forward-thinking ideas addressing global challenges—from climate and health to social participation—while celebrating the passion and creativity of the next generation of designers.
The Haier Design Team has been passionately committed to supporting young design talent for many years – in particular as sponsor of the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD. Federico Ferretti, Head of the Haier Experience Design Center in Milan, explains: “We are proud to introduce our own special award to shine an even brighter spotlight on the next generation of designers. When we look at younger designers, we believe that passion – the driving force behind talent – is the most important quality the design world needs. We invest in passion and thus foster the energy and optimism that are essential for a better future. The concepts we have selected together with iF Design show how boldly and responsibly the next generation is responding to issues such as climate, health and social participation.”
Winners of the Haier Design Prize 2026 by iF
Larum / Cutlery for mindful eating in a fast-paced world
SDG: 03 Good Health and Well-being
University: Fachhochschule Aachen, Aachen, Germany
Winner: Lara Yasmin Haaken
In today’s fast-paced society, convenience often overshadows the significance of meals. Larum advocates for mindful eating, encouraging a return to the essentials and drawing inspiration from early human eating tools. By using unconventional designs, Larum invites us to pause and choose mindfully, enhancing self-awareness and fostering interaction at the table.
Jury Statement:
"This unique cutlery set creates a provocative link between ritual and heritage, reshaping modern habits and helping to slow our fast-paced routines. This design sparks social dialogue and challenges the speed of contemporary life, inviting us to question how we move, behave, and connect."
More information about the concept ➞
Cymatcis Cup / Using low-frequency vibrations to alter taste perception
SDG: 09 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
University: Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
Winner: Weijen Chen
Bartenders confirm that the Cymatics Cup can reduce sourness and enhance sweetness in drinks like cranberry juice and Martini Bianco using low-frequency vibrations to alter flavor perception. This innovative approach shifts focus from ingredients to perceived flavors, promoting healthier choices while supporting sustainability and sensory pleasure.
Jury Statement:
This design is both poetic and technically innovative. It enhances the experience of tasting a drink without adding any other elements to the cocktail itself. It can elevate the experience of even a banal beverage. This is one of those designs that you really want to try out for yourself.
More information about the concept ➞
Thingo / NTH platform to extend the lifespan of electronic devices through reuse
SDG: 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
University: Korea National University of Arts, Seoul, KR
Winner: Jiwon Park
Thingo is an “nth-hand” mobile platform that enhances the lifespan of electronics, promoting their reuse beyond first ownership. Many devices are discarded prematurely, contributing to electronic waste and pollution. Thingo views products as living entities seeking new owners, shifting the focus from ownership to circulation. This approach reduces disposable consumption and fosters responsible use, providing a sustainable alternative to throwaway culture.
Jury Statement:
This project was selected for its transformation of e-waste through emotional design. By making electronics "living beings" seeking new owners, it creates genuine investment in product lifecycles beyond traditional marketplaces, driving behavioral change in consumption patterns.
More information about the concept ➞
Frederico Feretti tells in this interview, what it takes to start your career as a young designer and how sustainability and social impact play into this. "Design has always been about change, and talented designers know that Design is not based on what they know, but more on the way they react to what they don't know."
About Haier Design & the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD
The Haier Global Design Team was founded in 1994, making it one of the first design organizations in China and laying the foundation for Haier’s long-term, design-driven innovation. Today, the team works from more than ten design studios worldwide, bringing together global perspectives to develop meaningful, user-centered solutions for several Haier brands. Founded in 1984, the Haier Group is a leading multinational corporation for home appliances and consumer electronics headquartered in Qingdao, China. It has evolved into one of the world’s largest providers of smart home solutions and IoT-based ecosystems.
The iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD is one of the world's most important and significant competitions for young designers. It honors concepts by students and graduates in the field of design and architecture that deal with achieving the SDGs. Together with the sponsors, iF Design offers the award winners an international stage and a springboard for a successful career start. iF Design has seen it as its social responsibility to promote young international designers for more than 20 years.
For more information and image material, please contact:
Annegret Wulf-Pippig
International Forum Design GmbH
Bahnhofstrasse 8
30159 Hannover
Fon: +49.511.54224-209
annegret.wulf-pippig@ifdesign.com