For over two decades, Dutch Design Awards (DDA) has celebrated designers who push boundaries, reimagine futures, and shape the role of design in society. With the Emerging Talent Award, we recognise designers who embody bold imagination, creative courage, and the power of collaboration—those who continue to redefine what design can achieve today and tomorrow.

Following the previous edition, the Emerging Talent Award returns in 2026 to spotlight the next generation of designers shaping the field. Once again, three promising designers will each receive a €10,000 award, offering them both recognition and support to further develop their practice.

Help us celebrate the designers shaping the future of design. By nominating a talent, you help pass on the baton—connecting past and future, and keeping the conversation on Dutch design alive and evolving. Discover more about the award, the jury, the prizes, and the requirements here.

The award is made possible with support from the Keep an Eye Foundation, which champions emerging creative talent.

Nominations will open on March 31 through this page.

The Emerging Talent Award recognises designers at the beginning of their careers who demonstrate a distinctive vision and the potential to shape the future of design. The award celebrates practices that combine experimentation, critical thinking, and collaboration across disciplines.

Each year, a jury composed of leading figures from across the design field selects a group of emerging designers whose work reflects the evolving landscape of Dutch design.

Three winners will receive:

• €10,000 prize money 

• An in-depth masterclass by professionals from the field

• Recognition within the Dutch Design Awards network

Beyond the three winners, the broader selection forms a Class of Emerging Talents, highlighting a wider group of designers who represent the diversity and energy of the field.

Following an inspiring round of nominations from across the design community, the results of the Emerging Talent Award 2025 were announced during Dutch Design Week 2025.

The Class of 2025 brings together fifteen emerging designers whose work reflects the diversity, curiosity, and collaborative spirit that characterise Dutch design today. Selected by a jury of leading figures from across the field, this group demonstrates how design continues to expand its role—from material innovation and social engagement to digital experimentation.

From this outstanding group, three winners were selected for their exceptional vision and impact: Vera van der Burg, Willem de Haan, and Plasticiet. Each represents a distinct frontier of design, exploring how creativity can shape the systems, materials, and technologies that define our shared future.

The full jury report captures the insights and reflections behind the selection and highlights the collective energy that continues to drive Dutch design forward.

Read the full Jury Report