HOTO Design Prize by iF
With a strong focus on empowering young design talent, HOTO has honored three outstanding student concepts with the HOTO Design Prize 2026 by iF Design. The award was presented as part of the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD 2026, one of the world’s most important competitions for emerging designers.
The winning concepts reflect innovative thinking and social relevance and were developed by young designers from Germany, Hungary and Spain—highlighting the international scope and diversity of the next generation of creative minds.
HOTO demonstrates its commitment to supporting international design talent and is presenting a special prize as part of the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD 2026.
Lidan Liu, Chief Executive Officer and HOTO founder: “Supporting young designers is a true matter of the heart for HOTO and for me personally. I myself won the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD during my studies. It gave me the courage to follow my own path, take on responsibility and develop a clear design attitude. Together with iF Design and the HOTO Design Prize, we want not only to give young talents recognition, but also the opportunity to refine their ideas, create impact and actively shape the future.”
Winners of the HOTO 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 ➞
ÓRTESIS URBANA (URBAN ORTHOSIS) / Small-scale urban elements for neighborhood networks
SDG: 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
University: Istituto Europeo Di Design (IED), Madrid, Spain
Winner: Paula Garrote González
Urban Orthosis consists of small-scale devices designed to meet specific neighborhood needs. Residents collaborate through workshops to analyze their environment, address conflicts, and drive change. This initiative encourages community interaction, strengthens social networks, and combats gentrification. The project envisions the city as a collectively cared-for space, adaptable to the needs of its inhabitants.
Jury Statement:
"ÓRTESIS URBANA reframes the city as a collective body that can be supported through intentional, community-driven design. Instead of adding more objects, the project builds a participatory process where those most affected by gentrification and hostile spaces become co-creators of their environment. It models a shift from making things to building meaningful relationships."
More information about the concept ➞
Colorolli - Inclusive Tool Family for Visual Creation
SDG: 04 Quality Education
University: Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary
Winner: Anna Sára György
Colorolli is an innovative painting tool that helps children with special educational needs and varying motor abilities express themselves creatively. Its design allows for easy mark-making with minimal effort, supporting hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and graphomotor fundamentals, all while being portable and convenient for independent use.
Jury Statement:
“Colorolli centers the child, honoring her curiosity and the power of analog discovery. It encourages kids to explore motor skills and creativity through painting, free of any thoughts of right or wrong. With its strong, unified design language, the product family creates an intuitive aesthetic that invites hands-on engagement and joyful learning.”
More information about the concept ➞
About HOTO & the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD
Founded in 2020, HOTO (short for “Home Tools”) is revolutionizing everyday gadgets by combining elegant design with practical functionality. HOTO transforms everyday tools into smart, functional and inspiring experiences. With products sold in 56 countries and more than 100 patents, the brand is recognized worldwide for its outstanding design. Beyond product innovation, HOTO upholds the shared value of enabling a simpler and more considered way of living through design.
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:
Ms. Mia Ma
PR Manager
HOTO Shanghai HOTO Technology CO., Ltd.