Bike safety and kitchen elegance win big at the DesignEuropa Awards 2025

COPENHAGEN — Today, the design community recognized two exceptional creations and two notable designers in the sixth edition of the DesignEuropa Awards, organized by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in the Danish capital. The DesignEuropa Awards celebrate the finest achievements in industrial design, recognizing exceptional creativity and innovation across Europe.

Overade received the Entrepreneurs and Small Companies Award for its LIFE bike helmet. The French-designed helmet includes built-in lights and wireless features to improve safety and visibility for urban cyclists.

Ciarko Design, Poland’s largest manufacturer of premium kitchen hoods, took home the Industry Award for its Mono kitchen extractor hood. In awarding the prize, the jury considered the product’s combination of design, technology, and environmental consciousness.

The Next Generation Design Award went to David Borovic, a young designer from Romania. His work combines innovation and sustainability, with projects like SYNTHESIS, a hybrid-electric bicycle demonstrating a focus on eco-friendly materials, ergonomics, and functional design.

Finally, the renowned Dutch designer Hella Jongerius received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to textiles, furniture, and industrial design. Over her 30-year career, she advanced the use of material and color, and her human-centered approach has influenced the industry’s understanding of design and environmental issues.

The Executive Director of the EUIPO, João Negrão, said: “Designers are the minds behind the iconic products Europe is known for the world around. At a time where we have more and more choice as consumers, we choose products not only for their technical capabilities, but for their aesthetic innovation. That is why we’re proud to recognize both emerging talents and legendary designers like Hella Jongerius, emphasizing our commitment to protecting and promoting of these innovative designs throughout Europe and beyond.”

Sune Stampe Sørensen, Director General of the Danish Patent and Trademark Office and DesignEuropa Awards jury member, added: “Heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, finalists, and participants in this year’s DesignEuropa Awards. As part of the jury, it has been truly inspiring to witness the passion, creativity, and purpose that drive innovation and shape designs that not only solve problems but also elevate aesthetics. This event is a powerful reminder of how design and innovation go hand in hand to create a better future, and hosting this year’s awards in our beautiful capital, Copenhagen, has been an honor and a privilege.”

Entrepreneurs and Small Companies Winner: LIFE helmet

The LIFE electric bike helmet from Overade features built-in lights and wireless technology to enhance visibility and safety for urban cyclists. Its modern design addresses the growing demand for functional and practical safety gear in city environments.

Industry Winner: Mono

The Mono kitchen extractor hood, designed by Ciarko Design, combines simple and elegant design with effective ventilation. It integrates smoothly into modern kitchens, providing functional performance while maintaining a minimalist appearance.

The Next Generation Design Award: David Borovic

David Borovic, a young designer from Timișoara, Romania, was recognized for his innovative and sustainable designs. His SYNTHESIS hybrid-electric bicycle exemplifies his approach, with a modular frame and aerodynamic design that responds to contemporary user needs. This award category recognizes young talent under the age of 30.

The Lifetime Achievement Award: Hella Jongerius

Hella Jongerius received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in human-centered and sustainable designs. She has collaborated with brands like Vitra and IKEA, contributing to the development of innovative materials and designs that focus on user experience and environmental considerations. Her work goes beyond functionality, offering experiences that resonate deeply with users and seek to inspire young designers to embrace creativity and purpose in their own journeys.

The European design industry

Over the past two decades, the protection of designs has been a game-changer for businesses. According to a 2025 study from the EUIPO and European Patent Office, designs enhance firm performance, delivering a 29.3% increase in revenue and a 24.8% rise in wages.

Managed by the EUIPO, the registered EU design is an intellectual property right that grants exclusive protection to the appearance of a product in all EU Member States. The EUIPO currently receives over 100,000 designs a year and has received over 1.9 million designs in total. Germany is the leading country protecting designs at the EU level, with more than 377,000 designs, followed by Italy (228,000). Some examples of famous registered designs are the Bialetti Moka pot, the Lego brick, and the Porsche Turbo.

About the DesignEuropa Awards

The annual DesignEuropa Awards represent the EU’s premier design prize and an established event on the international design calendar. The awards recognize excellence in the field of industrial design. Previous editions of the Awards have taken place in Milan (Italy), Warsaw (Poland), Eindhoven (the Netherlands), Berlin (Germany), and Riga (Latvia).

These awards honor outstanding designs that are protected as registered EU designs and celebrate influential figures in the industry. There are four award categories: Entrepreneurs and Small Companies, Industry, Next Generation Design, and Lifetime Achievement.

The DesignEuropa Awards jury is composed of esteemed professionals from the fields of design, academia, business, and intellectual property. They convened to select the winners from a diverse pool of finalists announced earlier in the year.

The Lifetime Achievement Award has previously been awarded to luminaries such as Dieter Rams, renowned for his sustainable design principles; Maria Benktzon, pioneer of the drip-free coffee pot; André Ricard, designer of the Olympic torch for the Barcelona 1992 Games; Hartmut Esslinger, known for defining the aesthetic of Apple products; and Giorgetto Giugiaro, celebrated for his iconic car designs.

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