year 2 / entries close 1st June.
accessible. free to enter. inclusive. world class judging.
award carved from waste. 4 x paid internships on offer.
£1500 cash prize. award celebration at CSM. hangover.
The legacy we are trying to build is by opening as many doors as possible so the future of our industry can get paid time in design studios.
We know how difficult the job market is currently - paid work experience is the best mechanism to landing a permanent role.
This year we have four paid internships on offer for our finalists.
Studio Wood - Morrama - Aetha Design - manufactured.design
All internships are one month in length with no guarantee of future employment.
No pressure though - as Sam Russell our year one winner landed a job with Aetha after his initial paid internship.
As well as the four paid internships on offer, only one will take home the coveted Design Truth trophy.
This individual will also receive a £1500 cash prize.
When entering, make sure to use #DesignTruthAwards when showcasing work online.
To comply with eligibility, you must be a UK-based final year student studying Industrial Design / Product Design (or similar)
You must be able to work in the UK without the need for sponsorship.
So yes, Irish product design students are also eligible. Again, yes we do take bribes particularly in the form of Tayto’s.
Our judges - they embody the spirit of Design Truth.
They are selfless in ego, have had successful careers without needing the validation of exhibiting at New Designers, and they know how to celebrate when we make it to CSM.
They have unique skillsets – across research, strategy, design engineering, industrial design, and one or two will convince you they can still sketch.
They have worked for the likes of Dyson, LG, Elvie, SharkNinja, Joseph Joseph - they know their shit.
Our judges will want to see a project with a clear user need - they want you to champion creativity, they want something that solves a problem, they want to see commercial understanding - they do not want to see just another chair. We want meaning, craft, attention to detail.
Judging will be split into several rounds – with a clear criteria and scoring system built around originality, skill & execution, social necessity & viability.
We judge viability slightly different depending on the project. If more technical, we look at viability more around production & market viability. Something more conceptual, we look at viability of the thinking and whether this could exist in the form presented.
We do not want to crush the dreamers. Keep fucking dreaming.
Judging will conclude at forpeople’s design studio in London.
Full list of Design Truth judges /
James Wood / Léa Berger / Helen Liang / Tracy Sharp / Ed Sims /
Julien Hadley / Dan Barnes / Tom Parsons
Stalk ‘em on linkedin if you like.
Our award.
Carved from waste, designed by gomi.
We tasked Brighton-based gomi to provide something truly unique. A one-of-one award painstakingly delivered with precision.
It is a process that takes time - with the risk of a single air bubble taking us back to the starting block.
Taking inspiration from gomi’s offcuts collaborations - you will find a piece of Paul Smith, Formula E & Ocean Bottle to name just a few in our award this year.
Leaving minimal environmental impact, our award is something to cherish.
A big thank you to Tom, Kyle, Mariana, James and the rest of the clan at gomi.
You will meet gomi, our judges, our award and our finalists at DT20 on July 11 at Central Saint Martins University.
Tickets will be made available on the community tab of the Deign Truth website in May.
now go win this thing.
“The atmosphere was incredibly exciting.
As a young designer, it was fantastic to start connecting with others in the industry and to become part of this amazing network set up by DT and the opportunities to learn, network, and grow professionally.
Design Truth continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and connected design community, demonstrating their commitment to accessibility and the professional growth of emerging young designers.”
— Sam Russell [2024 Winner / Nottingham Trent University]
We have self-funded the Design Truth Student Awards.
During the last few months - through economic upheaval and those tariff things we lost out on over £20,000 worth of sponsorship commitment.
You do not have to donate, or should ever feel the need to. We already charge you enough for a ticket anyway.
Occasionally your boss might put some money to top up a bar tab.
Not everyone needs or desires the validation of brand promotion on a social post.
Think of this as a spot where if you like what we do, who are we to stop you topping up the industry bar tab.
peace.