How-to
From idea to award – here's how to get your submission ready.
1. Who Can Participate?
Companies, agencies, service providers and branders as well as non-commercial and governmental organizations from all industries worldwide can participate in the German Brand Awards.
2. Nomination or Direct Submission – Both Are Possible
You’ve been nominated?
Then the German Design Council has identified your project in the market and sees exceptional design and innovative quality in it. You’ll receive a written invitation and can register your project directly in the submission portal “My Design Council”.Want to submit on your own?
No problem. You can also register your project independently. After review by our panel of experts, you’ll be notified whether it has been accepted for participation. If your project is not accepted, there are no costs for you.Good to know: In the event of an award, a service fee applies – in return, you receive a comprehensive service package including a label, certificate, online presence, and much more.
Support Program – Fair Opportunities for Good Ideas
Are you a freelancer or run a small business? Then you may qualify for an exemption from service fees if you win an award.
Condition: Your annual turnover was below €100,000 in both 2023 and 2024. Submit your application by 27 February, 2026 – easily via our online form. After reviewing your information, the German Design Council will send you confirmation.
3. Online Registration
Participation in the German Brand Award is managed via our submission portal My Design Council. Don’t have an account yet? Simply register with your email address.
After registering, you’ll receive confirmation and the invoice for the participation fee.
You’ll need the following for your submission:
- Discipline
- Brand name / project name (+specification)
- Description text German / English (max. 650 characters)
- Website, place and date of launch
- Details of company / client, agency / implementation
- Categories and possible additional categories
- Billing address
- Optional booking of the Nominee Package
- Image material of the brand / project (max. 5 images)
Duration: Allow approx. 35 minutes for the registration process.
4. Disciplines and Categories
You can submit your project in one of two disciplines – each discipline includes several categories.
5. Submission of the Presentation to the Jury Meeting
After successful online registration, please provide us with a presentation of your project, which will be viewed and evaluated by the jury.
Formats
You can design your submission as a PDF presentation and/or as a short movie. Only PDF and MPEG4 files are accepted. For embedded video clips in PDF presentations, please upload the movie additionally as a separate file.
Scope
Multiple PDF presentations can be combined, but should not exceed the maximum page count of 15 pages. The maximum movie length is 180 seconds. The maximum file size when uploading is 20 MB.
Upload
With the registration confirmation you will receive an upload link to provide us with your presentation. A maximum of 2 files can be uploaded: 1x PDF and/or 1x MPEG4. All files must be clearly marked with the project ID.
Data Check
All incoming data is checked by us before it is prepared for the jury meeting. If any technical or content-related questions arise in the process, we will contact you in good time.
1. Jury Session
Your project will be reviewed and discussed by an international, interdisciplinary panel of experts – independent and with an eye for excellence.
2. Award Notification
If your project is selected as a Winner,Gold and/or Best of Best recipient, you will be notified via email – in time and with all necessary next steps.
3. Publication release
You’ll receive a preview link to your project profile in the online gallery. Here you can finalize your description, credits, and main image.
4. Presentation in the Gallery
On the day of the award ceremony, our online gallery goes live – showcasing your project to an international audience.
5. Awards Show
The big moment: your project will be celebrated during the Award Show – a day full of visibility, exchange, and brand excellence.