RIMOWA Design Prize 2026: The Ceremony & Winning Projects

The 4th RIMOWA Design Prize concluded, bringing over forty institutions to explore mobility, a core element of RIMOWA’s design philosophy.

The prize culminated in Berlin, where finalists presented their projects to an international jury. This panel included Stefan Daniel, Farah Ebrahimi, Konstantin Grcic, Matylda Krzykowski, Clemens Poloczek, Tim Richter and Hanne Willmann. They were joined by RIMOWA CEO and honorary jury member Beatrice Monguidi.

Developed over several months, the winning projects expanded on the notion of mobility. Their interpretations spanned diverse disciplines, from infrastructure and healthcare to everyday human experience, reflecting a new generation of designers adept at addressing complex, real-world challenges.

Following thorough consideration by this esteemed panel, Samuel Nagel and Paul Feiler were awarded the first prize, and Niklas Henning received a special mention.

Explore the details of the winning projects below:

"NURA" - Samuel Nagel and Paul Feiler

— from Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd

Mentored by Tim Richter, Head of Industrial Design at Siemens Healthineers

NURA is a wearable that enables real-time communication between deaf and hearing people. Using EMG technology, it captures muscle signals in the forearm to translate sign language into audible speech and spoken language into visible text. It represents more than a technical aid—it is a vision of assistive devices that do not stigmatize but empower: an elegant accessory people are proud to wear.

"Paludi Harvesters" - Niklas Henning

— from Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal

Mentored by Stefan Daniel, VP Photo & Design at Leica Camera AG

In response to the EU’s commitment to restoring 50 percent of peatlands by 2050, and recognizing their immense potential in combating global warming, Paludi harvesters enable large-scale, autonomous reed farming on peatlands. They address the shortage of skilled workers, protect wildlife, and maintain peatland functionality. At the same time, the efficient harvesting process makes reed a widely accessible material for sustainable insulation and roofing, creating a new, future-proof, climate-positive source of income for farmers.

Relive the key moments from the RIMOWA Design Prize 2026 ceremony. Discover our exclusive recap video.

Explore all projects from this 4th edition on the RIMOWA Design Prize website (only available in English and German).