Best of European design celebrated
Due to the coronavirus outbreak shaking up the entire world, this year’s European Design Awards ceremony did not take place in Valencia as initially planned. Instead, the official announcement took place from people’s homes and offices. During a home-made event broadcasted live on YouTube jury members and representatives from the press and various European Design Associations dropped by to read out the results of the jury deliberations.
Over 1,500 participants from 35 different European countries submitted their work.
In 44 design categories, the European Design Awards jury – consisting of editors, publishers, academics, and bloggers – handed out a total of 34 gold, 62 silver, and 62 bronze prizes to participants from 26 countries.
European Design Agency of the Year 2020 is ANTI from Norway, a multi-disciplinary agency offering creative solutions to clients worldwide. Their philosophy – A New Type of Interference – shows a firm belief in the potential of the unexpected, the power of interference, and diversity as a driver for the most impactful ideas.
The Best of Show Award was given to the wayfinding system developed by Croatian Studio TUMPIĆ/PRENC for “Pula – Pola City Pools”. The visual identity was built upon a series of conversations with professional and recreational swimmers, leading to the idea of a line – a basic graphic element that guided all of their creative decisions, similarly to how a line at the bottom of the pool guides a swimmer towards their goal.
Finally, the Jury Prize was awarded to “Helping Hands – A guide to sign language for nursing and medicine” designed by Germany-based LUCRA Designstudio. “Helping Hands” introduces sign language to medical professionals. It is a holistic concept that includes a 96-page manual, an app with all gestures as video, communication cards, a board, and a marker enabling the medical professionals to communicate with deaf people.
This year, the Netherlands managed to retain the top spot in the country listings with 5 golds, 9 silvers and 9 bronze awards. Norway was a strong contender but ended up in second place with 4 gold, 10 silver, and 14 bronze prizes, while Greece was a surprise at the third place with 3 gold, 7 silver, and 5 bronze prizes.
View all results at europeandesign.org/ed-awards/winners/?award-year=2020
Next year’s European Design Festival will be hosted in Valencia, Spain.