The jury for the 10th anniversary edition of the DesignEuropa Awards brings together 12 experts from across Europe, representing design, intellectual property and creative leadership. Their collective experience will guide the candidate evaluation for the 2026 edition, which will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia in September.

A decade of design that shapes the future

Organised by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the DesignEuropa Awards recognise excellence in European Union design and highlight the designers and companies behind the winning designs.

This anniversary edition is organised with the support of the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office (SIPO).

Introducing the 2026 jury

The 2026 jury includes 12 professionals from 11 countries with recognised expertise in design, innovation, business, law and intellectual property.

The jury members of the 10th anniversary edition of the DesignEuropa Awards are:

• Anna Barbara, Chairperson of the 2026 DesignEuropa Awards Jury; President, POLI.design; Board Member, World Design Organization (WDO);

• Karin Žvokelj, Director General, SIPO.

• David Borovic, Next Generation Design Winner of the 2025 DesignEuropa Awards;

• Žan Kavčič, Co-owner, Director and Designer, Kavčič Furniture; Finalist in the ‘Entrepreneurs and Small Companies’ category of the 2025 DesignEuropa Awards;

• Cristina Melander, President, The Bureau of European Design Associations; Member of the Danish Design Council; Chairperson of the 2025 DesignEuropa Jury;

• Mikolaj Nicer, designer, Nicer Design; Winner of the ‘Industry Category’ of the 2025 DesignEuropa Awards;

• Rūta Olmane, trade mark attorney, METIDA; past President of ECTA;

• Dick Spierenburg, Co-owner, Spierenburg studio;

• David Stone, Partner, White & Case LLP;

• Päivi Tahkokallio, Founder and CEO, Tahkokallio Design+; Chairperson of the 2021 DesignEuropa Jury;

• Isabelle Vérilhac, Founder and CEO, Design With Isabelle; Chairperson of the 2023 DesignEuropa Jury;

• Benjamin Wilson, Global Director of Design and Technology Communication, Braun.

More information about each jury member is available on the DesignEuropa website.

Applications still open

There is one month left to apply for the 2026 DesignEuropa Awards.

Designers, companies and organisations from around the world are invited to submit their entries. Applications are free and are open until 20 February 2026.

Applications are accepted in four categories:

• Entrepreneurs and Small Companies Category – recognising innovative designs from newly established or small businesses.
  Apply now!

• Industry Category – recognising impactful designs from large and medium-sized companies.
  Apply now!

• Next Generation Design Category – open to young designers up to 29 years old who demonstrate innovative approaches to design.
  Apply or nominate now!

• Lifetime Achievement – honours outstanding career contributions to the world of design.
  Nominate now!

About the DesignEuropa Awards

The DesignEuropa Awards is an event that recognises design excellence in the European Union. It highlights creativity and impact in protected designs and celebrates the individuals and organisations that bring them to life.

The Awards are non-commercial and open to any person, entity or institution of any nationality that owns a valid registered European Union design

Source: https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/observatory/introducing-the-2026-designeuropa-awards-jury