de Velde
Rules
At this page you'll find more information about the rules of the Henry van de Velde Awards.
Download the rules of the Henry van de Velde Awards 26 here.
Categories
Products, (research) projects, services or systems can compete for a Gold, Silver or Bronze Award within the following nine categories:
Business Innovation: a design award for innovative solutions in industry or professional settings that provide optimization and efficiency of logistics and production processes and better working conditions, and also contribute to a healthier planet. The focus is on efficiency gains, dismountability, modularity, new technology, automation, robotization.
Consumer: a design award for new or improved (semi-)industrial end products and smart solutions that improve and facilitate individual lives, within the realms of lifestyle, well-being, food, mobility, media and leisure.
Crafts by Bokrijk: a design award for a meaningful product, object or project that has been elevated to a higher level in its production process, choice of materials, form, finish, through design-driven craftsmanship. ‘Meaningful’ is a product that pushes boundaries, creates added value in a broad social context, an object that moves you and what you cherish, is initially not intended for mass production and that is special in its DNA.
Design Research: a design award for meaningful, inspiring and visionary scenarios and concepts that are an application of design practice based on solid research. People are at the centerpoint of this research; the concepts presented arise from collaboration and explore scenarios for the future of mankind and the planet.
Digital Design: a design award for a new or improved digital product, campaign or experience where the user experience, customer journey, visual development and use of technology are groundbreaking and distinctive, ensuring effective communication and valuable experience. These may include: websites, apps, animations, digital campaigns, experiences and applications.
Environment: a design award for research, new or improved systems, services and products that address complex environmental issues from a collaborative approach and bring society closer to the solution or better deal with the issues. These systems, services or products that are the result of cross-fertilization can provide solutions to climate change and air pollution, the scarcity of raw materials, the promotion of sustainable food production, the structural solution of traffic congestion or noise pollution, etc.
Graphics: a design award for a product, service or system where the graphic design, visual development or illustrations are groundbreaking and distinctive and provide effective and compelling communication. These may include: print campaigns, typography, branding and identity, packaging, editorial design, signage and infographics.
Habitat: a design award for a new or improved product that ensures pleasant living or comfortable working at home and thus contributes to personal well-being. This may include: indoor and outdoor furniture, office furniture and accessories, interior textiles, lighting, tableware, high end interior objects.
Spaces: a design award for new or improved systems or services that shape, (co-)organize a private, public or professional environment/space and make being in this space more enjoyable and fluent. This can include: furnishings for homes, offices, public spaces, commercial spaces, but also modular concepts and project lighting.
In addition to these nine categories, a Henry van de Velde Gold Award is also presented for:
Lifetime Achievement: a design award for a designer or design agency that has been active for at least 30 years and has had national impact on an economic, social and/or cultural level with his/her design activities and is an international player in the sector. This award is nominated by the members of the jury.
Young Talent: a design award to encourage a young talent or agency that has been active within the sector for a maximum of 10 years. The assessment focuses on the designer or agency and looks at the social relevance and quality of the entire portfolio. This award is nominated by the members of the jury. The laureate receives a cash prize of 10,000 euros.
Company: A design award for companies that strategically use designers and design for their business or institution. This rewards good commissioning in relation to design. Important criteria are the degree of professionalism, strategy, sustainability and innovation. This award is nominated by the members of the jury.
Ecodesign by OVAM: a design award for a company or designer who acts as a role model for other designers. This laureate convinces the jury by a well-considered choice of ecodesign principles as a common thread throughout the entire company culture and strategy and/or throughout the designed products and services. Important criteria are the impact, potential growth, vision and continuity within the sustainability theme. This award is nominated by the members of the jury.
Public: The public prize is awarded to the product or project with the most preference votes from the public. All awarded products, projects and services in the nine categories described in Art. 6 can be voted for online. The laureates Lifetime Achievement, Young Talent, Company and Ecodesign by OVAM are not eligible.
Criteria
The competition is open to products, services and research that meet the criteria described below:
- The entries have a clear Flemish link, either because the designer was born in Flanders, or because the design agency, client or customer is based in the Flemish region.
- The product or service in its current form is launched on the market between June 1, 2024 and May 27, 2025. The research is completed after June 1, 2024.
- Participating projects meet the 'good design' criteria: good design has impact, is meaningful, innovative, functional, formally well thought out, environmentally friendly and sustainable, professionally finished and with respect for the techniques and materials used.
- The submission is made online via the registration form at henryvandevelde.be, in full and within the set deadline.
Procedure
1. Participation in the Henry van de Velde Awards is possible via the designer, design agency or client.
2. Entries can be done online at the website henryvandevelde.be from April 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to May 27, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
3. Participation is completely free.
4. One project can be submitted in a maximum of two categories.
5. For each category for which one applies, a clear motivation must be written of why the project is of added value within this category and what impact it has.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find some frequently asked questions and answers about participating in the Henry van de Velde Awards below.
Yes, you can enter with multiple projects. Consider these as separate entries, for which you will have to fill out a separate entry form each time. Exceptions on this are product families (or variants), which can be considered as one entry.
You can submit a project in a maximum of two categories. We recommend that you read the descriptions of the various categories carefully. If you are still in doubt, you can contact us for advice at info@henryvandevelde.be.
Participation in the Henry van de Velde Awards is completely free. All it takes for you is to describe and illustrate your project sufficiently for the jury to assess it. Once you are selected for the second selection round, you are responsible for the transport to and from the location of this selection round (location and dates: see rules).
Projects eligible for the 2026 edition awards must have been launched between June 1, 2024 and May 27, 2025. Are you launching after May 27, 2025? No worries! The Henry van de Velde Awards return every year. As of April 2026 you can submit your entry for the next edition and you will have an equal chance of winning an award.
Since you can only enter a project in a maximum of two categories, it is very important to make the right choice. The description of the different categories can be found at the top of this page. If you still have doubts, you can contact us at info@henryvandevelde.be.
You cannot register for these awards. These will be designated by the judges.
The Henry van de Velde Awards are the most prestigious design awards in Flanders. By participating, you have the chance to add your project to the list of award winning designs. You can do this without any financial contribution. It is a unique opportunity to get noticed, not only by the professional jury, but as an award-winning designer you also build on your credibility towards potential clients, and as a client you get the chance to put your valued product in the spotlight. The winners are honored during a festive ceremony and a networking moment in the presence of almost the entire design sector. Each winner will also be included in an exclusive publication, and will be part of an extensive international communication campaign.
The call for entries for the Henry van de Velde Awards 26 is open.
Designers and companies can submit their best work from the past year for free.
The jury meets on 2 and 3 July a first time to go over all the projects submitted. The best projects from each category are selected to go to the next round.
The jury will meet a second time to physically view the selected projects from the first round and determine the winners.
The award winners are announced and people can now vote for their favorite project for the Public Gold Award.
You can vote for your favorite project until December 17.
The annual festive presentation of the Henry van de Velde Awards takes place at Bozar in Brussels and is followed by a reception.
