National Design Awards

The American National Design Awards, founded in 2000, are various awards funded and bestowed by the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. There are seven official design categories, and three additional awards when applicable. Any supplemental awards deemed appropriate may be awarded at the discretion of the acting jury or institution.

History

In 2000, the program was launched as a project of the White House Millennium Council. In 2025, the award program celebrated its twenty-fifth year.

Awards

The seven official design categories include:
*Architecture Design
*Communications Design
*Fashion Design (created in 2003)
*Interior Design (created in 2005)
*Interaction Design (created for 2009)
*Landscape Design
*Product Design

The three additional awards categories are:

*Lifetime Achievement
*Design Patron (created in 2001)
*Design Mind (2005–2019)

Past supplemental categories have included:
*People's Design Award (2006–2010)
*Special Commendation (Awarded in 2008)
*Special Jury Commendation (created in 2005, but omitted in 2008)
*American Original (Awarded in 2000 and 2002 only)

In 2006, the People's Design Award was created intended to provide the general public the chance to nominate and vote for their favorite design. Individuals could nominate and vote for their favorite designers via the official website. The award was last given in 2010.

Candidate selection criteria

Individual candidates must be citizens or long-term residents of the United States and have been practicing design for at least 7 years. For any corporations and institutions, they must have their headquarters in the United States. The honorees are selected upon a body of realized work, not for any one specific project.

Potential candidates are proposed by an official Nominating Committee and are invited to submit materials for a jury's review. Submissions consist of resumes, portfolios, publications by and about the candidates, and professional-quality audio-visual samples.

Jury selection and process

The jurors are chosen by the museum based on their prominence and expertise in the design world. Once selected, jurors are briefed on the Museum mission and criteria for the Awards. Museum staff members themselves are not permitted into the selection process.

When considering candidates, the jury meets over a two-day period to thoroughly review every submission. Jury decisions are asked to be based on established core criteria which include: excellence, innovation, and contribution to the quality of life aspects of the work candidates have accomplished. The submissions are assessed in terms of the work's relationship to and impact on contemporary life. Special emphasis is placed on the extent to which the nominee's designs and achievements have benefit the general public.

Objectives

The National Design Awards program's intention is to highlight achievements in various design disciplines with emphasis on their proposed role in addressing societal challenges and shaping the built and natural environment. The award show also desires to foster a broader appreciation of design and educate the public about the importance of design, innovation, and excellence in design principles.

In addition to the Awards ceremony and gala, the program includes an annual series of educational initiatives organized by the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum’s Education Department. These initiatives include lectures, roundtables, workshops, and fairs that showcase the work and perspectives of the award recipients, aiming then to inspire future generations and promote a deeper understanding of design’s impact on society.

Recipients

External links

National Design Awards GalleryCooper-Hewitt, National Design MuseumPeople's Design AwardSmithsonian Institution

References

{{Smithsonian Institution

Design awards
Design Awards, National
Awards established in 2000
Design Awards, National
2000 establishments in the United States