Award Categories

National Design Award Categories

Lifetime Achievement
Given in recognition of a distinguished individual who has made a profound and long-term contribution to the contemporary practice of design.

Director’s Award
Given to an individual in recognition of outstanding support and patronage within the design community. Unlike the jury-selected awards, the recipient is chosen by Cooper Hewitt leadership.

Design Mind
Given in recognition of a visionary, such as an educator, author, critic, curator, or designer, who has had a profound impact on design theory, practice, or public awareness.

Corporate & Institutional Achievement
Given in recognition of a corporation or institution that uses design as a strategic tool as part of its mission, and has consistently exhibited ingenuity and insight in the relationship between design and quality of life.

Architecture Design
Given to an individual or firm for exceptional and exemplary work in public, commercial, or residential architectural design.

Communication Design
Given to an individual or firm for exceptional and exemplary work in graphic or multimedia design.

Fashion Design
Given to an individual or firm for exceptional and exemplary work in clothing, accessory, or footwear design.

Interaction Design
Given to an individual or firm for exceptional and exemplary work in the design of interactive digital products, environments, systems, and services.

Interior Design
Given to an individual or firm for exceptional and exemplary work in domestic, corporate, or cultural interior design.

Landscape Architecture
Given to an individual or firm for exceptional and exemplary work in urban planning or park and garden design.

Product Design
Given to an individual or firm for exceptional and exemplary work in the design of consumer goods, technology, or home and office furnishings.