Invitation to the award ceremony of the Red Dot Design Award 2025

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On 8 July 2025, leading designers and companies from all over the world – including Apple, Porsche, Siemens Healthineers and Ferrari – will meet in Essen for the Red Dot Gala at the Aalto Theatre, followed by the Designers’ Night at the Red Dot Design Museum.

We cordially invite you to take part in this special day as a representative of the press.

Pre-programme at the Red Dot Design Museum

On the afternoon of 8 July, the Red Dot Design Museum will open its doors exclusively for accredited representatives of the press: From 2 pm, you will have the opportunity to experience a preview of the current exhibitions – even prior to the official opening in the evening.

At the same time, the winners of the highest award “Red Dot: Best of the Best” will arrive at the museum. The special atmosphere of this early part of the programme creates space for first impressions, spontaneous conversations and direct encounters with the makers behind the award-winning products, as well as with Red Dot representatives.

At 4.30 pm, shuttle buses will take all guests to the Aalto Theatre, where the Red Dot Gala will begin at 6 pm.

• Venue: Red Dot Design Museum, Gelsenkirchener Straße 181, 45309 Essen
• Start: 2 pm

Red Dot Gala

At the centre of the Red Dot Gala are the winners of the highest award “Red Dot: Best of the Best”, who receive their trophies in the festive setting of the Aalto Theatre.

The honoured companies include world-famous names such as Apple, Porsche, Kärcher, Sony, Ferrari and Siemens Healthineers - they are examples of excellent design in very different product worlds.

The highlight of the evening is the honouring of BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) as “Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2025”.

A choreographic intermezzo adds a striking touch to the award ceremony: an excerpt from the ballet “Carmen” by Johan Inger – told from the perspective of a child who witnesses a tragic obsession.

• Venue: Aalto Theatre, Opernplatz 10, 45128 Essen
• Admission: 5 pm | Start: 6 pm

Designers’ Night

From 8.30 pm, the Red Dot Design Museum will open its doors for the Designers’ Night – the official after-show party in the midst of award-winning products, design teams, jury members and international guests.

This year’s special highlight: selected award-winning cars will be presented in a separate vehicle hall – including cars from Ferrari, Polestar, Lamborghini, Porsche and Geely.

What you can expect:

• The new “Design on Stage 2025–2026” exhibition with all award-winning products of the year on five floors
• “Red Dot Milestones 2025–2026” with highlights from various product groups
• The special exhibition “Adventure by Design – BRP Design & Innovation Team” in the indoor and outdoor areas of the museum
• The four qualities of good design in the Schürer-Halle Ost
• Interactive formats such as the One-Minute Design Challenge

On request, we can provide interested editorial teams with information on award-winning products in specific categories.

• Venue: Red Dot Design Museum, Gelsenkirchener Straße 181, 45309 Essen
• Admission: from 8.30 pm

Accreditation

Press places are very limited. Please register in advance using our form.

Among other things, we need the following information from you:

• Your full name
• The medium for which you report
• Whether you will take part alone or with a camera/photo team

You will receive confirmation of participation and all admission information by e-mail in the week before the event.

We look forward to welcoming you to Essen - to a day that uniquely combines excellent design, personal encounters, cultural staging and journalistic added value.

Best regards

Your Red Dot Team