Criteria & Terms

Prior to submitting a nomination for the World Design Medal, review the eligibility criteria and the terms below to understand the management of this award.

Criteria

  1. Should have significantly contributed to raising the profile of the industrial design profession
  2. Should have contributed a body of work with global reach
  3. Body of work should demonstrate a significant and positive impact on economic, social, cultural, and/or environmental quality of life
  4. Should be available to give an address/acceptance speech with a focus on ‘design for a better world’ during the World Design Congress in London programme on 9-10 September 2025 (specific date to be confirmed)

Selection process

  1. The WDO Secretariat will review all submissions to ensure that nominees meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the call for nominations. The Secretariat will not judge the nominations on quality but will only ensure compliance with the eligibility criteria and guidelines.
  2. All submissions that meet the eligibility criteria, will then be vetted by the Review Committee comprised of the WDO Board. The Review Committee will meet in April 2025 to determine a shortlist of 10 candidates.
  3. The Selection Committee, comprised of WDO Senators will meet in May 2025 to select the recipient.
  4. WDO reserves the right to identify Honourable Mentions or have no recipient selected, depending on the calibre of nominees submitted.
  5. WDO reserves the right to call in additional subject matter experts to assist the Review and Selection Committee or substitute a Selection Committee member in the case of illness or unavailability. Any changes to these Committees will be communicated publicly as soon as practicable.
  6. All nominees, including the recipient, will be informed of the status of their submission by email, on or before 30 June 2025.
  7. All entrants will accept the decision as final and binding. No further discussion or correspondence about the results shall be entered into.

Announcement of recipient

  1. The recipient will be announced as part of WDO’s World Industrial Design Day™ celebrations on 30 June 2025.
  2. The recipient be invited to attend the World Design Congress with an address on 9 or 10 September 2025 to receive the medal during a short ceremony.

Terms

General Rules

  1. The World Design Medal is an initiative of the World Design Organization (WDO)®, administered by its Secretariat.
  2. By completing a nomination form, all applicants agree to the terms and conditions in full. WDO reserves the right to change, cancel, and suspend any part of the medal for any reasons beyond its control.
  3. WDO assumes no responsibility for technical or natural events that prevent the submission or selection of a recipient.
  4. WDO reserves the right to not award the medal in any given term.
  5. WDO reserves the right to identify Honourable Mentions or have no designers shortlisted depending on the calibre of nominations submitted.
  6. WDO reserves the right at any time to reject submission(s) that do not meet the eligibility criteria.
  7. WDO reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. These amendments will be communicated publicly.

Nomination Process

  1. Nominations must be submitted via an online form on wdo.org
  2. There is no fee to submit a nomination.
  3. Nominations must be received by 23:55:59 EDT on 31 March 2025.
  4. Late submissions will not be accepted. The WDO Secretariat is not responsible for late submissions due to computer or telecommunication failures.
  5. Individuals as well as any relatives (colleague, design firm, team or family member) directly or indirectly concerned with WDO are automatically excluded from participating, as well as excluded from carrying out, assisting in any way an entry to the medal. Any involvement whatsoever will result in automatic disqualification from the medal.

How to Enter

  1. Candidates can either be nominated by a third party and subsequently fill out the application form, or submit their candidacy directly.
  2. The form is available on wdo.org and must be completed online in English.
  3. There is no fee to enter.
  4. Deadline ends 23:55:59 EDT on 31 March 2025.

Ownership/IP Rights

The intellectual property shall remain the property of the nominee. It is the responsibility of the nominee to protect their intellectual property, as submitted information about the nominee and their work will be shared with the public via the WDO website and social media.

Equal Opportunity

  1. In accordance with WDO’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, the organization encourages nominations from people of colour, Indigenous people, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
  2. The WDO Secretariat will make all reasonable efforts to facilitate the completion of nominations regardless of technical and language barriers.

Personal Information

  1. All contact information provided during the nomination process will be restricted to use by the Secretariat only and will not be made publicly available or provided to any third party without the express consent of the individual(s) involved.
  2. By entering the World Design Medal, nominees agree to the use by WDO of all images, videos and descriptions across all media channels, including the Internet, in communications to the WDO Membership and the general public. This agreement covers materials and communications created after the year ends and includes any future promotional materials by WDO.
  3. The recipient of the Medal agrees to take part in publicity and promotional activities surrounding the Medal and its future iterations. As part of their ambassadorial role, they may be asked to participate in activities and interviews as suggested by WDO.
  4. At their discretion, nominees may also be asked to be part of publicity opportunities relating to the World Design Medal 2025.