About awards
Each year, the DesignBlok Awards (formerly known as the Editors-in-Chief Awards) are presented as part of the festival. The awards honour the best concepts, innovations, new products, and presentations, as selected by an independent international jury composed of journalists, designers, curators, and other professionals from the fields of design and architecture.
The aim of the DesignBlok Awards is not only to highlight outstanding products and presentations among hundreds of exhibitors, but above all to draw attention to innovative, sustainable, and socially responsible approaches with the potential to influence both the wider public and the professional design community.
Since 2022, the winners have been selected by a five-member international jury chaired by the President of the Designblok Awards. Previous Presidents include French journalist and design critic Anne-France Berthelon (2022), Dutch designer and professor Ineke Hans (2023), Ben Hobson, co-CEO of Dezeen and media consultant (2024), and Curator and China Editor of Wallpaper magazine, Yoko Choy (2025). The President of the DesignBlok Awards 2026 is Max Fraser, Editorial Director of Dezeen.
Jury of the 28th edition
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Jury PresidentMax Fraser (GBR)
Editorial Director, Dezeen ■ Former Deputy Director, London Design Festival
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Thomas Lloyd (GBR)
Co-founder, Pearson Lloyd ■ Royal Designer for Industry
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Judith van Vliet (ESP)
Founder, The Color Authority ■ Expert in Color Strategy and CMF Design
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Hanna Nova Beatrice (SWE)
Founder, The New Era Magazine ■ Former Director, Stockholm Furniture Fair and Stockholm Design Week
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Laurids Gallée (NLD)
Founder, Studio Laurids Gallée ■ Designer
Award for Extraordinary Contribution to Global Design
The name of the personality who will receive the Award for Extraordinary Contribution to Global Design at the 28th DesignBlok will be announced very soon.
Grand Prix (Prize for Outstanding Contribution)
The exhibitor who will receive the Grand Prix Award for an extraordinary achievement at the 28th Designblok will be announced during the Designblok Awards gala at the Industrial Palace at the Exhibition Grounds.
Best Launched Product by Designer
The nominations will be announced on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The winners will be revealed that same day during the Designblok Awards ceremony at Průmyslový palác at the Prague Exhibition Grounds.
Best Launched Product by Producer
The nominations will be announced on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The winners will be revealed that same day during the Designblok Awards ceremony at Průmyslový palác at the Prague Exhibition Grounds.
Best School Presentation
The nominations will be announced on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The winners will be revealed that same day during the Designblok Awards ceremony at Průmyslový palác at the Prague Exhibition Grounds.
Best Designer Presentation
The nominations will be announced on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The winners will be revealed that same day during the Designblok Awards ceremony at Průmyslový palác at the Prague Exhibition Grounds.
Best Producer Presentation
The nominations will be announced on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The winners will be revealed that same day during the Designblok Awards ceremony at Průmyslový palác at the Prague Exhibition Grounds.
Impact Award
The nominations will be announced on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The winners will be revealed that same day during the Designblok Awards ceremony at Průmyslový palác at the Prague Exhibition Grounds.
Public Award
The exhibitor who receives the Public Award at the 28th Designblok will be announced on the last day of the festival, following the end of the public voting.
