Cooper Hewitt Announces 2017 National Design Award Winners

A diverse jury of design leaders and educators selected the winners after reviewing award submissions resulting from nominations submitted by design experts and enthusiasts. Nominees must have been practicing professionally for a minimum of seven years; Lifetime Achievement nominees must have been practicing professionally for a minimum of 20 years. Winners are selected based on their works’ excellence, innovation and public impact.
“In an era of tumultuous change, design is asking deep questions about its purpose and contributions to a better society,” said Caroline Baumann, director of Cooper Hewitt. “The achievements of this year’s class of National Design Award winners have informed that dialogue, and their accomplishments have elevated our understanding of what great American design is and what it can do to improve our world.”
Unlike the jury-selected awards, the Director’s Award is chosen by Baumann and given to an individual or organization in recognition of outstanding support and patronage within the design community.
Established in 2000 as a project of the White House Millennium Council, the National Design Awards are accompanied each year by National Design Week, which takes place this year Oct. 14–22.

THE 2017 NATIONAL DESIGN AWARD RECIPIENTS

Lifetime Achievement: Hartmut Esslinger
Director’s Award: Susan S. Szenasy
Design Mind: Craig L. Wilkins.
Corporate & Institutional Achievement: Design Trust for Public Space
Architecture Design: MASS Design Group
Communication Design: Jennifer Morla
Fashion Design: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Interaction Design: Stamen Design
Interior Design: Deborah Berke Partners
Landscape Architecture: Surfacedesign
Product Design: Joe Doucet