During the iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT on April 29, 2024, at Berlin’s Friedrichstadt-Palast, nearly 2,000 guests from 42 countries gathered to celebrate the winners of the iF DESIGN AWARD 2024. Organized by iF Design (iF International Forum Design GmbH, Hannover, Germany), the award has been a prestigious institution in the international design community since 1953.
Among approximately 11,000 submissions from 72 countries, projects in the ‘Outdoor Garden’ category received recognition for innovations across various products, including furniture, parasols, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, faucets and showers, pond and garden lighting, sun and weather protection, barbecues, fire pits and grills, watering cans, balcony awnings, swimming pools, picnic tables, garden sinks, hose reels, wheelbarrows, and even plant pots. Highlights included a multifunctional gatepost integrating an intercom, mailbox, and doorplate; a hanging bird feeder; and a chicken coop. Technological accessories were also prominent, such as robotic mowers, pool cleaners, yard robots, battery-powered portable low-pressure washers, and cordless compact pruning chainsaws, all with a strong emphasis on design. 
The Rayn rain-collecting sunshade from Chinese company Ziel Home Furnishing Technology Co., Ltd., based in Zhengzhou, earned top honors. This innovative product integrates a sunshade, rainwater collection, space-saving design, and intelligent water purification to provide an eco-friendly, practical solution for urban balconies and gardens. Collected rainwater can be used for watering plants or cleaning, reducing reliance on home water supplies. The integrated water collection bucket maximizes space efficiency, meeting the needs of urban residents while promoting sustainable living.
The TERRASZA BCN 2024 event, held in Barcelona from October 16-26, proudly showcased Trena, a seating collection by Yonoh Creative Studio (Valencia) for Ezpeleta. This collection captures the Mediterranean spirit with a fresh, modern take on traditional wooden chairs braided with bulrush—a nostalgic nod to the chairs we sat on in the cool of summer evenings at our grandparents’ village houses. Trena pays tribute to this tradition by using durable, eco-friendly polypropylene reinforced with fiberglass, offering the comfort and simplicity of the past with the aesthetic and functional benefits of modern materials.
Although unable to display it at our headquarters, the FX Barcelona Film School terrace, during Barcelona Design Week, the above-ground pool from Spanish company Poolins—selected by iF Design—is designed primarily for swimming, relaxation, and recreation. Above-ground pools offer a convenient and accessible space for families and individuals to enjoy water-based activities. Common uses include swimming and water exercises, relaxation, family gatherings, recreation for children, fitness and therapy, and enhancing outdoor aesthetics.
Winning an iF DESIGN AWARD requires passing a two-stage selection process conducted by esteemed design experts, with only the highest quality entries chosen. Registrations for the iF DESIGN AWARD 2025 will close on November 6, 2024.
Additionally, the international competition for young designers is open for submissions, with design students worldwide invited to enter the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD 2025 until February 5. This competition awards a total of EUR 50,000 for groundbreaking design concepts and solutions that support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On September 19, iF Design launched the ‘Future of XYZ’ podcast, a bi-weekly interview series exploring the role of design in shaping the future and its potential for positive impact. Host and creator Lisa Gralnek, Managing Director of iF Design USA Inc., engages with visionary leaders and changemakers. In the first episode of the new season, she interviews Amy Devers, an instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design and host of the Clever podcast, as well as Josh Rubin and Evan Orensten, co-founders of COOL HUNTING and hosts of the Design Tangents podcast.
“Future of XYZ inspires fresh perspectives on what’s next in design, science, innovation, culture, and creativity,” says Gralnek, who has interviewed experts on various topics across 124 previous episodes.
Upcoming episodes will feature internationally renowned architects, celebrated furniture designers, award-winning musicians, textile innovators, sustainability experts, and other distinguished specialists. The podcast enhances iF Design’s reach and provides additional high-quality content.
The first episode of Future of XYZ launched on September 19, with new episodes released bi-weekly on Thursdays across all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, and YouTube.
