The third edition of the RIMOWA Design Prize concluded in a vibrant ceremony held at Berlin’s iconic Gropius Bau on May 13th, celebrating the latest innovations in German design. The RIMOWA Design Prize, which honors the best of contemporary design, awarded its top honor to Elisabeth Lorenz and Marc Hackländer for their project Hottie—a discreet, wearable device designed to alleviate menstrual pain using heat therapy and electrical nerve stimulation. The jury lauded the project for its clear purpose, attention to user needs, and potential for significant real-world impact.
A Special Mention was awarded to Standalone, created by Tom Kemter and Niels Cremer. Their design reimagines the traditional forearm crutch, allowing it to stand independently, offering increased autonomy to its users.
The RIMOWA Design Prize, which is committed to honoring Germany’s design legacy, challenges students to explore and redefine the meaning of mobility—physically, socially, and emotionally. This year’s competition brought together 39 design schools, with seven finalists selected for a mentorship program that guided their projects through a development process culminating in a final presentation before an expert jury.
Other noteworthy projects included Compath by Jonas Krämer, a system designed to assist those suffering from dementia, and cAir Pin, a wearable air quality sensor by Jan Stackfleth. Layers by Nick Geipel transformed public benches into inclusive community spaces, while Memento by Sophie Ludwig proposed a poetic tool for digital remembrance. The lightweight, bionically inspired handtruck Tonbo, created by Marius Kintzel and Julian Solmsdorff, also garnered praise for its minimalistic design and efficiency.
The jury, which included prominent figures from Adidas, Mykita, Sub, USM, and the Museum of Applied Art, was joined by honorary members Alexandre Arnault and Bonnet-Masimbert. Each finalist was awarded financial support from the €55,000 prize fund.
This year’s RIMOWA Design Prize reinforced the importance of innovative, thoughtful design in shaping a better future for both users and communities.
Photography courtesy of RIMOWA