In times of global challenges design can contribute meaningful perspectives, foster dialogue and reinforce the importance of inclusive approaches.
At a time when gender equality is under pressure worldwide, it was encouraging to come together with colleagues to share, listen to and strengthen gender design perspectives.
Claudia Herling, Chair of the iGDN and Head of the Jury 2025
Two major trends emerge from the award-winning works, which extend far beyond the design context: the re-politicisation of design as a means of societal reflection – and the deconstruction of historical and cultural power structures.
Winner
Winner
Winner
Winner
Winner
With a mix of professional designers, academic researchers, and globally oriented practitioners, the 2025 jury combines practical design expertise, theoretical reflection, and a global mindset. This ensures that awarded projects are not only aesthetically and conceptually strong, but also socially meaningful — pushing forward what design can do when gender sensitivity is at its core.
is Chair of the International Gender Design Network (iGDN), designer and researcher specialising in gender and digital design. She teaches and works on how design can uncover and reduce gender bias in digital systems. With her long experience in both practice and academia, she brings a focused perspective on gender-sensitive design to the jury.
»Design is the key to transformation – with the iphiGenia Gender Design Award we honor projects that challenge gender norms, promote equality, and drive real societal change.«
is an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Maranhão, Deputy Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Design, and head of NIDA. With a background in design and social sciences, she explores the intersections of design, culture and gender, and is a founding member of ReLADyG, the Latin American Gender Design Network.
»Design and gender are tools for critical analysis and a methodological approach to highlighting oppressions perpetrated by colonial conditioning.«
is a design researcher and Head of the Competence Center “Transformation Design” at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU DFK). As Chair of the German Society for Design Theory and Research (DGTF), she focuses on participatory, inclusive and socially engaged design practices.
»Gender and Design reflects on power structures that are closely linked to social and digital inequalities. For me, taking a close look at the connections between gender and design means first and foremost calling for intersectional feminist futures—and enabling them through the power of design.«
is Professor of Communication Design at GIU Berlin and a design scholar whose research examines the cultural, political and aesthetic dimensions of design. His academic work highlights how design can shift perspectives and contribute to social change.
»Working on the intersection of gender and design isn’t merely a stylish design fad or trend. Deconstructing the intersections of gender, race and class in design can have unforeseen ramifications, even on ideas of democracy and a good life itself. Therefor we should never underestimate the power of visual and material everyday practices.«
is a designer and researcher engaging with gender-sensitive design and current societal debates. Her work in the transdisciplinary research project “Urban Xtopias – Public Spaces of the Future” explored how people can be encouraged to actively shape social transformation. She is Professor of Media Design at IU in Essen.
»Gender Design is not an extra. It's essential for a fairer society and economically smart decisions.«
The iphiGenia jury at work
The iphiGenia Gender Design Award 2025 was celebrated at the Museum of Applied Arts in Cologne (MAKK) – once again a generous and inspiring setting for the event. Jury members and award recipients travelled from Brazil, France, Austria and Germany to join the ceremony, creating a truly international moment of exchange.
The ceremony opened with a keynote by Prof. Dr. Felix Kosok, who reflected on the evolving relationship between design, gender and society.
The presentations highlighted the depth and diversity of the winning projects, and the atmosphere in the hall was attentive, warm and genuinely appreciative. After the official programme, guests had time to talk, connect and continue the conversations around gender and design. It was a memorable evening that reflected both the quality of the work and the spirit of dialogue that defines the award.
When people talk about design, it is often about form and function. Yet it is becoming increasingly clear: design has long been a political practice. The 2025 iphiGenia Gender Design Award, which will be presented for the sixth time on […]
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