Vehicle design in all classes, commercial vehicles (trucks, vans, caravans, motor homes, etc.), design refinement
Registration 2021
The registration period for 2020 has ended. However, we can notify you when the Automotive Brand Contest 2021 starts.
Automotive Brand Contest 2020
10 September 2019AnnouncementStart of the application phase 2020
08 November 2019Early Bird Deadline
27 March 2020Registration DeadlineAutomotive Brand Contest 2020
8 April 2020Jury sessionin Frankfurt am Main
Autumn 2020Awards ceremony
Costs and categories
Contest registration
per entry: 290.00 €
Early bird rate
till 8 November 2019: 240.00 €
Organizational allowance for the product handling in the jury meeting:
Digital entries, Presentation charts DIN A2 (max. 4 items) – 90.00 €
Size S: Length/width/height of product 1 m maximum, and weight up to 10 kg – 90.00 €
Size M: Length/width/height of product 2 m maximum, and weight up to 100 kg – 190.00 €
Size L: Length/width/height of product over 2 m each and weight over 100 kg (vehicles excepted) – 290.00 € Size XL: Vehicles or presentation a vehicle – 690.00 €
Winner fees:
»Winner« – 2,190.00 €
»Best of Best« – 2,790.00 €
Special categories – 4,800.00 €
All prices are per entry and are subject to the statutory VAT. Submission of registered entries to the judging procedure is subject to the receipt of payment.
- Contest categories
Exterior (Premium/Volume Brand)
Interior (Premium/Volume Brand)
Cockpits, instruments, airbags, panelling, seats, colour & trim, etc.Motorcycles/Bikes
Vehicle design for motorcycles, scooters, quads, e-bikes, pedelecs, bicycles etc.Commercial Vehicles
Trucks, vans, agrricultural vehicle, trailer, excavator, forklift, pallet jack, crane, bulldozer, tracktor, transporter, cleaning vehicle, wheel loader etc.Motorhomes/Caravans
Caravans, caravan interior, motor home, motor home interiorParts & Accessories
Wheels, tires, wheel rims, technical accessories, trailers, light design, materials, components, special features, luxury accessories (watches, sunglasses, luggage etc.), sports articles, outdoor-/leisure articles, clothing, fan articles, etc.New Mobility
Mobility concepts, drive technologies, car sharing models, autonomous driving, studies, mobility services, safety conceptsConcepts
Concept cars (exterior/interior), concept products in all fieldsConnectivity
Infotainment, driver assistance, networking, content, services, car-to-X-communication, telematics, antennas, navigation, audio, video, multimedia, etc.Brand Design
Brand corporate design, company corporate design, typography, modifications, relaunches, new corporate design strategies, etc.Campaign
Advertising campaigns, TV commercials, promotion films, print advertising, flyer, posters, catalogues, brochures, mailings, etc.Corporate Publishing
Books, annual reports, promotion films, brand magazines, magazines, calendars, service manuals, etc.Digital
Websites, social media, innovative measures, banners, trailers, online publications, newsletter, web specials, digital advertisements, interfaces, vehicle diagnostics, etc.Architecture
Corporate architecture, museums, trade fair presentations, exhibitions, showrooms /concept stores, presentation systems, service stations, service station equipment, etc.Events
Customer events, roadshows, employee events, incentives, etc.
- Special categories
Innovation of the Year
Award for innovative brand and technology concepts and their consistent implementation in designTeam of the Year
Award for the design team of the year for innovative and consistent brand designBrand of the Year
Award for the consistent and efficient appearance of the brandAgency of the Year
Award for the agency’s outstanding achievements in the development and implementation of all measures of relevance to the brand
The Jury 2020
Richard Gaul
Communication and Investment Consultant
Senior Counsellor at the American Academy in Berlin; member of the Senate at acatech, Deutsche Akademie für Technikwissenschaften (German National Academy of Science and Engineering); member of the Senate at the Bundesverband Wirtschaftsförderung und Außenwirtschaft (German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade); Chairman of the Board at Industrieclub Potsdam (Potsdam Industrial Club); partner and Managing Director at 1Future international GmbH; shareholder of SHG – Sonderfahrzeugbau Holding GmbH Self-employed communication and investment consultant since January 2007
Senior Counsellor at the American Academy in Berlin; member of the Senate at acatech, Deutsche Akademie für Technikwissenschaften (German National Academy of Science and Engineering); member of the Senate at the Bundesverband Wirtschaftsförderung und Außenwirtschaft (German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade); Chairman of the Board at Industrieclub Potsdam (Potsdam Industrial Club); partner and Managing Director at 1Future international GmbH; shareholder of SHG – Sonderfahrzeugbau Holding GmbH Self-employed communication and investment consultant since January 2007
Hans Meier-Kortwig
Owner of GMK Markenberatung
Hans Meier-Kortwig studied business management and design management at the University of Cologne and London Business School and has worked as a brand consultant for over 20 years. During his career, he has worked at companies including Peter Schmidt Group and Marketing Partner, where he spent six years in charge of the Brand Management Consulting division. Hans Meier-Kortwig has been Managing Director at GMK Markenberatung, a firm founded by him, since 2006, assisting clients such as Bosch, Beneteau, Kaldewei and the BMW Group in all brand-related disciplines – from brand strategy and implementation to brand management and control.
Hans Meier-Kortwig studied business management and design management at the University of Cologne and London Business School and has worked as a brand consultant for over 20 years. During his career, he has worked at companies including Peter Schmidt Group and Marketing Partner, where he spent six years in charge of the Brand Management Consulting division. Hans Meier-Kortwig has been Managing Director at GMK Markenberatung, a firm founded by him, since 2006, assisting clients such as Bosch, Beneteau, Kaldewei and the BMW Group in all brand-related disciplines – from brand strategy and implementation to brand management and control.
Andrej Kupetz
General Manager German Design Council (until June 2020)
Andrej Kupetz studied industrial design, philosophy and product marketing in Berlin, London and Paris. In 1997, after various positions in design management and university liaison, Andrej Kupetz joined German Railways (Deutschen Bahn AG) where he was responsible for brand management in the DB Group and for the implementation of various corporate-design processes.
Kupetz is member of the advisory board of the Design Management Institute Bosten. Since 2011 Kupetz has been a member of the higher education council of the Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach/Main. That same year the European Commission appointed him to the European Design Leadership Board.
Andrej Kupetz studied industrial design, philosophy and product marketing in Berlin, London and Paris. In 1997, after various positions in design management and university liaison, Andrej Kupetz joined German Railways (Deutschen Bahn AG) where he was responsible for brand management in the DB Group and for the implementation of various corporate-design processes.
Kupetz is member of the advisory board of the Design Management Institute Bosten. Since 2011 Kupetz has been a member of the higher education council of the Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach/Main. That same year the European Commission appointed him to the European Design Leadership Board.
Jürgen Lewandowski
Book Author and Freelance Journalist
After graduating in German and English Studies, Jürgen Lewandowski began his career at auto, motor und sport. From autumn 1977 he headed the technology section of the magazine hobby, before moving to Munich in 1979 to work for the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper until the end of 2000 as head of the “Auto and Transport” section. He then worked as adviser to the Ganske publishing group and publisher Jahreszeiten Verlag in Hamburg and as an author and correspondent for several publications worldwide, including the Swiss Sunday newspaper NZZ am Sonntag, the ROBB-Report and the Christophorus. To date, he has published more than 100 books on car and car design. He is also involved in creating auto-related films for the television channel of the NZZ newspaper. Furthermore, he has been Chief of the Selecting Committee for the Schloss Bensberg Classics since 2009 till 2016 and, as such, is responsible for the annual selection of the 45 Concours vehicles. Until today he is a member of several Concours d`Elégance competitions.
After graduating in German and English Studies, Jürgen Lewandowski began his career at auto, motor und sport. From autumn 1977 he headed the technology section of the magazine hobby, before moving to Munich in 1979 to work for the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper until the end of 2000 as head of the “Auto and Transport” section. He then worked as adviser to the Ganske publishing group and publisher Jahreszeiten Verlag in Hamburg and as an author and correspondent for several publications worldwide, including the Swiss Sunday newspaper NZZ am Sonntag, the ROBB-Report and the Christophorus. To date, he has published more than 100 books on car and car design. He is also involved in creating auto-related films for the television channel of the NZZ newspaper. Furthermore, he has been Chief of the Selecting Committee for the Schloss Bensberg Classics since 2009 till 2016 and, as such, is responsible for the annual selection of the 45 Concours vehicles. Until today he is a member of several Concours d`Elégance competitions.
Prof. Andrea Lipp-Allrutz
Vice-dean, Transportation Interior Design, Hochschule Reutlingen
Andrea Lipp-Allrutz studied Product Design at the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle. After graduating in 1991, she worked initially at Bombardier Transportation in Berlin and then at IFS Designatelier, also in Berlin. From 2001 to 2006, Lipp-Allrutz was head of design interior at Neoplan Bus. Since then she has worked as a freelance designer for MAN Truck & Bus, as well as for Viseon Bus. Since 2006 Andrea Lipp-Allrutz has been Professor of Transportation Interior Design at Reutlingen University; in 2010 she was appointed Head of Department.
Andrea Lipp-Allrutz studied Product Design at the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle. After graduating in 1991, she worked initially at Bombardier Transportation in Berlin and then at IFS Designatelier, also in Berlin. From 2001 to 2006, Lipp-Allrutz was head of design interior at Neoplan Bus. Since then she has worked as a freelance designer for MAN Truck & Bus, as well as for Viseon Bus. Since 2006 Andrea Lipp-Allrutz has been Professor of Transportation Interior Design at Reutlingen University; in 2010 she was appointed Head of Department.
Christian Zanzotti
Founder ZANZOTTI INDUSTRIAL DESIGN, Munich
Italian-born Christian Zanzotti, studied industrial design at the University of Design in Munich, following which he worked for Hannes Wettstein and then for IDEO. In 2013 he established the ZANZOTTI INDUSTRIAL DESIGN studio in Munich. The fields in which he is involved range from the automotive and mobility sector to furniture, consumer goods and lifestyle products. Christian’s work is notable for his passion for technology, innovation and materials, as well as his careful analyses and willingness to experiment. In 2014 he received the German Design Award "Newcomer of the Year" from the German Design Council.
Italian-born Christian Zanzotti, studied industrial design at the University of Design in Munich, following which he worked for Hannes Wettstein and then for IDEO. In 2013 he established the ZANZOTTI INDUSTRIAL DESIGN studio in Munich. The fields in which he is involved range from the automotive and mobility sector to furniture, consumer goods and lifestyle products. Christian’s work is notable for his passion for technology, innovation and materials, as well as his careful analyses and willingness to experiment. In 2014 he received the German Design Award "Newcomer of the Year" from the German Design Council.
FAQ
- Dates
- Deadline early bird: 08 November 2019
Registration deadline: 27 March 2020
Jury session: 8 April 2020
Award ceremony: Autumn 2020
- General
Who is eligible to enter for the competition?
All companies in the automotive and supply industries, design and brand agencies, and imported marques are invited to take part.How much does it cost to enter?
Registration fee:
Early bird rate: 240.00 €
afterwards: 290.00 €Organizational allowance:
Digital submissions, Presentation charts und submissions of
size S: 90.00 €
size M: 190.00 €
size L 290.00 €
size XL 690.00 €Winner fees:
»Winner«: 2.190.00 €
»Best of Best«: 2.790.00 €
Special categories: 4.800.00 €What must I submit for the competition?
- Register online under www.mdc.german-design-council.de
- The product/the project must be submitted (Original products, models, presentation charts or digital media)
Which advantages will be made available to the winners?
- Label
- Publication
- Specimen copy of the publication
- Online gallery
- Winner’s certificate
- Winner's medal
- PR package
- Attendance Winner dinner
- Online-Registration
Can I save partially completed entries in the database?
Yes, you can save the data at any stage.When is my registration of the proposed products contractually binding?
When you have filled in all the relevant product data please in the database 'My Design Council' (MDC) click on the 'Submit Product' button. At that point the agreement is binding and the product is deemed to have been formally submitted. You cannot make any changes beyond this point.How many products can I register?
In principle, there is no limit to the number of products that can be submitted. Please note that there is a registration fee for each submission and a winner fee for each product that is selected for an award.
Media partner
