# National Design Awards

The American National Design Awards, founded in 2000, are various awards funded and bestowed by the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. There are seven official design categories, and three additional awards when applicable. Any supplemental awards deemed appropriate may be awarded at the discretion of the acting jury or institution.

## Awards

The seven official design categories include:
* Architecture Design
* Communications Design
* Fashion Design (created in 2003)
* Interior Design (created in 2005)
* Interaction Design (created for 2009)
* Landscape Design
* Product Design
The three additional awards categories are:
* Lifetime Achievement
* Design Patron (created in 2001)
* Design Mind (created in 2005)
Past supplemental categories have previously included:
* People's Design Award (created in 2006)
* Special Commendation (Awarded in 2008)
* Special Jury Commendation (created in 2005, but omitted in 2008)
* American Original (Awarded in 2000 and 2002 only)

## Candidate selection criteria

Individual candidates must be citizens or long-term residents of the United States and have been practicing design for at least 7 years. For any corporations and institutions, they must have their headquarters in the United States. The honorees are selected upon a body of realized work, not for any one specific project.
Potential candidates are proposed by an official Nominating Committee and are invited to submit materials for a jury's review. Submissions consist of resumes, portfolios, publications by and about the candidates, and professional-quality audio-visual samples.

## Jury selection and process

The jurors are chosen by the museum based on their prominence and expertise in the design world. Once selected, jurors are briefed on the Museum mission and criteria for the Awards. Museum staff members themselves are not permitted into the selection process.
Once it is time to consider candidates, the jury meets over a two-day period to thoroughly review every submission. Jury decisions are asked to be based on established core criteria which include: excellence, innovation, and contribution to the quality of life aspects of the work candidates have accomplished. The submissions are assessed in terms of the work's relationship to and impact on contemporary life. Special emphasis is placed on the extent to which the nominee's designs and achievements have benefit the general public.

## Objectives

The National Design Awards program's intention is to highlight achievements in various design disciplines with emphasis on their proposed role in addressing societal challenges and shaping the built and natural environment. The award show also desires to foster a broader appreciation of design and educate the public about the importance of design, innovation, and excellence in design principles.
In addition to the Awards ceremony and gala, the program includes an annual series of educational initiatives organized by the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum’s Education Department. These initiatives include lectures, roundtables, workshops, and fairs that showcase the work and perspectives of the award recipients, aiming then to inspire future generations and promote a deeper understanding of design’s impact on society.

## People's Design Award

In 2006, the People's Design Award was created intended to provide the general public the chance to nominate and vote for their favorite design. Individuals can nominate and vote for their favorite designers via the official website.

## Recipients

| Year | Award | Winner | Finalists |
| 2000 | Lifetime Achievement | Frank Gehry | |
| 2000 | Corporate Achievement | Apple Computer | |
| 2000 | Communications Design | Ralph Appelbaum | |
| 2000 | Landscape Architecture | Lawrence Halprin | |
| 2000 | Product Design | Paul MacCready | |
| 2000 | American Original | John Hejduk and Morris Lapidus | |
| 2001 | Lifetime Achievement | Robert Wilson | |
| 2001 | Corporate Achievement | Tupperware | |
| 2001 | Architecture Design | Peter Eisenman | |
| 2001 | Communications Design | John Maeda | |
| 2001 | Landscape Architecture | Julie Bargmann of D.I.R.T. Studio | |
| 2001 | Product Design | David M. Kelley & IDEO | |
| 2001 | Design Patron | Stanley Marcus | |
| 2002 | Lifetime Achievement | Dan Kiley | |
| 2002 | Corporate Achievement | Whirlpool Corporation | |
| 2002 | Architecture Design | Steven Holl | |
| 2002 | Communications Design | Lucille Tenazas | |
| 2002 | Landscape Architecture | James Carpenter | |
| 2002 | Product Design | Niels Diffrient | |
| 2002 | Design Patron | Andre Balazs | |
| 2002 | American Original | Geoffrey Beene | |
| 2003 | Lifetime Achievement | I.M. Pei | |
| 2003 | Corporate Achievement | Target Corporation | |
| 2003 | Architecture Design | Billie Tsien and Tod Williams | |
| 2003 | Communications Design | Robert Greenberg | |
| 2003 | Landscape Architecture | Michael Van Valkenburgh | |
| 2003 | Fashion Design | Tom Ford | |
| 2003 | Product Design | Herman Miller | |
| 2003 | Design Patron | Gordon Segal | |
| 2004 | Lifetime Achievement | Milton Glaser | |
| 2004 | Corporate Achievement | Aveda Corporation | |
| 2004 | Architecture Design | Rick Joy and Polshek Partnership | |
| 2004 | Communications Design | @radical.media | |
| 2004 | Landscape Architecture | William A. McDonough and Parrtners | |
| 2004 | Fashion Design | Yeohlee Teng | |
| 2004 | Product Design | Yves Béhar | |
| 2004 | Design Patron | Amanda M. Burden | |
| 2005 | Lifetime Achievement | Eva Zeisel | |
| 2005 | Corporate Achievement | Patagonia | |
| 2005 | Architecture Design | Diller Scofidio + Renfro | Tom Kundig, Antoine Predock |
| 2005 | Communications Design | Stefan Sagmeister | 2x4, Paula Scher |
| 2005 | Landscape Architecture | Ned Kahn | Kathryn Gustafson, Peter Walker and Partners |
| 2005 | Fashion Design | Toledo Studio | Maria Cornejo, Project Alabama |
| 2005 | Product Design | Burt Rutan | Boym Partners, Bill Stumpf |
| 2005 | Design Patron | Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago | |
| 2005 | Design Mind | Katherine McCoy and Michael McCoy | |
| 2005 | Interior Design | Richard Gluckman | Michael Gabellini, Hugh Hardy |
| 2005 | Special Jury Commendation | Sergio Palleroni | |
| 2006 | Lifetime Achievement | Paolo Soleri | |
| 2006 | Corporate Achievement | Nike, Inc. | |
| 2006 | Architecture Design | Thom Mayne | Stanley Saitowitz, Bernard Tschumi |
| 2006 | Communications Design | 2x4 | Jake Barton, Chip Kidd |
| 2006 | Landscape Architecture | Martha Schwartz | Andrea Cochran, Ken Smith |
| 2006 | Fashion Design | Maria Cornejo | Thom Browne, Peter Som |
| 2006 | Product Design | Bill Stumpf | Antenna Design, Jonathan Ive |
| 2006 | Design Patron | Craig Robins | n/a |
| 2006 | People's Choice | The Katrina Cottage by Marianne Cusato | n/a |
| 2006 | Design Mind | Paola Antonelli | n/a |
| 2006 | Interior Design | Michael Gabellini | Annabelle Selldorf, Tsao and McKown Architects |
| 2006 | Special Jury Commendation | Syd Mead | n/a |
| 2007 | Lifetime Achievement | Antoine Predock | |
| 2007 | Corporate Achievement | Adobe Systems | |
| 2007 | Architecture Design | Office dA - Monica Ponce de Leon / Nader Tehrani | |
| 2007 | Communications Design | Chip Kidd | |
| 2007 | Landscape Architecture | PWP Landscape Architecture | |
| 2007 | Fashion Design | Rick Owens | |
| 2007 | Product Design | Jonathan Ive | |
| 2007 | Design Patron | Maharam | |
| 2007 | People's Choice | TOMS Shoes by Blake Mycoskie | |
| 2007 | Design Mind | Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi | |
| 2007 | Interior Design | Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis | |
| 2007 | Special Jury Commendation | Frank Ching | |
| 2008 | Lifetime Achievement | Charles Harrison | |
| 2008 | Corporate Achievement | Google, Inc. | |
| 2008 | Architecture Design | Tom Kundig | |
| 2008 | Communications Design | Scott Stowell | |
| 2008 | Landscape Architecture | OLIN | |
| 2008 | Fashion Design | Ralph Rucci | |
| 2008 | Product Design | Antenna Design | |
| 2008 | Design Patron | Architecture for Humanity | |
| 2008 | People's Choice | Stuart Karten Design (for the Zon hearing aid) | |
| 2008 | Design Mind | Michael Bierut | |
| 2008 | Interior Design | Rockwell Group | |
| 2008 | Design Commendation | Janna Bullock | |
| 2009 | Lifetime Achievement | Bill Moggridge | |
| 2009 | Corporate Achievement | Walker Art Center | |
| 2009 | Architecture Design | SHoP Architects | |
| 2009 | Communications Design | The New York Times Graphics Department | |
| 2009 | Landscape Architecture | Hood Design | |
| 2009 | Fashion Design | Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein Collection | |
| 2009 | Product Design | Boym Partners | |
| 2009 | Design Patron | Reynold Levy | |
| 2009 | People's Choice | Trek Lime Bike | |
| 2009 | Design Mind | Amory B. Lovins | |
| 2009 | Interior Design | Tsao & McKown Architects | |
| 2009 | Interaction design | Perceptive Pixel, Inc. | |
| 2010 | Lifetime Achievement | Jane Thompson | |
| 2010 | Corporate Achievement | U.S. Green Building Council | |
| 2010 | Architecture Design | KieranTimberlake | |
| 2010 | Communications Design | Stephen Doyle | |
| 2010 | Landscape Architecture | James Corner Field Operations | |
| 2010 | Fashion Design | Rodarte | |
| 2010 | Product Design | Smart Design | |
| 2010 | People's Choice | The Braille Alphabet Bracelet by Leslie Ligon | |
| 2010 | Design Mind | Ralph Caplan | |
| 2010 | Interior Design | William Sofield | |
| 2010 | Interaction design | Lisa Strausfeld | |
| 2011 | Lifetime Achievement | Matthew Carter | |
| 2011 | Corporate Achievement | Knoll | |
| 2011 | Architecture Design | Architecture Research Office | |
| 2011 | Communications Design | Rick Valicenti | |
| 2011 | Landscape Architecture | Gustafson Guthrie Nichol | |
| 2011 | Fashion Design | J. Mendel | |
| 2011 | Product Design | Continuum | |
| 2011 | Design Mind | Steven Heller | |
| 2011 | Interior Design | Shelton, Mindel & Associates | |
| 2011 | Interaction design | Ben Fry | |
| 2012 | Lifetime Achievement | Richard Saul Wurman | |
| 2012 | Corporate Achievement | Design that Matters | |
| 2012 | Architecture Design | Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects | |
| 2012 | Communication Design | Rebeca Méndez | |
| 2012 | Landscape Architecture | Stoss Landscape Urbanism | |
| 2012 | Fashion Design | Thom Browne | |
| 2012 | Product Design | Scott Wilson | |
| 2012 | Design Mind | Janine Benyus | |
| 2012 | Design Patron | Red Burns | |
| 2012 | Interior Design | Clive Wilkinson Architects | |
| 2012 | Interaction Design | Evan Roth | |
| 2013 | Lifetime Achievement | James Wines | |
| 2013 | Design Mind | Michael Sorkin | |
| 2013 | Corporate & Institutional Achievement | TED | |
| 2013 | Architecture Design | Studio Gang Architects | |
| 2013 | Communication Design | Paula Scher | |
| 2013 | Fashion Design | Behnaz Sarafpour | |
| 2013 | Interaction Design | Local Projects | |
| 2013 | Interior Design | Aidlin Darling Design | |
| 2013 | Landscape Architecture | Margie Ruddick | |
| 2013 | Product Design | NewDealDesign | |
| 2014 | Lifetime Achievement | Ivan Chermayeff and Tom Geismar | |
| 2014 | Corporate Achievement | Etsy | |
| 2014 | Architecture Design | Brooks + Scarpa | |
| 2014 | Communication Design | Office | |
| 2014 | Landscape Architecture | Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture | |
| 2014 | Fashion Design | Narciso Rodriguez | |
| 2014 | Product Design | LUNAR | |
| 2014 | Design Mind | Witold Rybczynski | |
| 2014 | Interior Design | Roman and Williams Buildings and Interiors | |
| 2014 | Interaction Design | Aaron Koblin | |
| 2015 | Lifetime Achievement | Michael Graves | |
| 2015 | Director's Award | Jack Lenor Larsen | |
| 2015 | Design Mind | Rosanne Haggerty | |
| 2015 | Corporate & Institutional Achievement | Heath Ceramics | |
| 2015 | Architecture Design | MOS Architectures | |
| 2015 | Communication Design | Project Projects (Prem Krishnamurthy, Adam Michaels) | |
| 2015 | Fashion Design | threeASFOUR | |
| 2015 | Interaction Design | John Underkoffler | |
| 2015 | Landscape Architecture | Coen + Partners | |
| 2015 | Interior Design | Commune | |
| 2015 | Product Design | Stephen Burks | |
| 2016 | Lifetime Achievement | Moshe Safdie | |
| 2016 | Director's Award | Make It Right | |
| 2016 | Design Mind | Bruce Mau | |
| 2016 | Corporate & Institutional Achievement | The Center for Urban Pedagogy | |
| 2016 | Architecture Design | Marlon Blackwell Architects | |
| 2016 | Communication Design | Geoff McFetridge | |
| 2016 | Fashion Design | Opening Ceremony | |
| 2016 | Interaction Design | Tellart | |
| 2016 | Landscape Architecture | Hargreaves Associates | |
| 2016 | Interior Design | Studio O+A | |
| 2016 | Product Design | Ammunition | |
| 2017 | Lifetime Achievement | Hartmut Esslinger | |
| 2017 | Director's Award | Susan S. Szenasy | |
| 2017 | Design Mind | Craig L. Wilkins | |
| 2017 | Corporate & Institutional Achievement | Design Trust for Public Space | |
| 2017 | Architecture Design | MASS Design Group | |
| 2017 | Communication Design | Jennifer Morla | |
| 2017 | Fashion Design | Slow and Steady Wins the Race | |
| 2017 | Interaction Design | Stamen Design | |
| 2017 | Landscape Architecture | Surfacedesign | |
| 2017 | Interior Design | Deborah Berke Partners | |
| 2017 | Product Design | Joe Doucet | |
| 2018 | Lifetime Achievement | Gail Anderson | |
| 2018 | Director's Award | Darren Walker | |
| 2018 | Design Mind | Anne Whiston Spirn | |
| 2018 | Corporate & Institutional Achievement | Design for America | |
| 2018 | Architecture Design | WEISS/MANFREDI | |
| 2018 | Communication Design | Civilization (Design) | |
| 2018 | Fashion Design | Christina Kim | |
| 2018 | Interaction Design | Neri Oxman | |
| 2018 | Interior Design | Oppenheim Architecture + Design | |
| 2018 | Landscape Architecture | Mikyoung Kim Design | |
| 2018 | Product Design | Blu Dot | |
| 2019 | Lifetime Achievement | Susan Kare | |
| 2019 | Design Mind | Patricia Moore | |
| 2019 | Corporate & Institutional Achievement | MIT D-Lab | |
| 2019 | Architecture Design | Thomas Phifer | |
| 2019 | Communication Design | Tobias Frere-Jones | |
| 2019 | Fashion Design | Derek Lam | |
| 2019 | Interaction Design | Ivan Poupyrev | |
| 2019 | Interior Design | IwamotoScott Architecture | |
| 2019 | Landscape Architecture | SCAPE Landscape Architecture | |
| 2019 | Product Design | Tinker Hatfield | |
| 2019 | Emerging Designer | Open Style Lab | |
| 2020 | Design Visionary | Kickstarter | |
| 2020 | Climate Action | Sponge Park | |
| 2020 | Emerging Designer | Studio One Eighty Nine | |
| 2020 | Architecture | Snøhetta | |
| 2020 | Communication Design | Scott Dadich | |
| 2020 | Digital Design | Design I/O | |
| 2020 | Fashion Design | TELFAR | |
| 2020 | Landscape Architecture | OJB Landscape Architecture | |
| 2020 | Product Design | Catapult Design | |
| 2021 | Design Visionary | Cheryl D. Miller | |
| 2021 | Climate Action | InVert Self-Shading Window by Doris Sung | |
| 2021 | Architecture and Interior Design | Ross Barney Architects | |
| 2021 | Communication Design | Imaginary Forces | |
| 2021 | Fashion Design | Becca McCharen-Tran | |
| 2021 | Digital Design | Behnaz Farahi | |
| 2021 | Landscape Architecture | Studio-MLA | |
| 2021 | Product Design | BioLite | |
| 2021 | Emerging Designer | Colloqate Design | |
| 2022 | Design Visionary | Nader Tehrani | |
| 2022 | Climate Action | WEDEW by David Hertz | |
| 2022 | Emerging Designer | Emily Adams Bode | |
| 2022 | Architecture / Interior Design | Rural Studio | |
| 2022 | Communication Design | Giorgia Lupi | |
| 2022 | Digital Design | Felecia Davis | |
| 2022 | Fashion Design | Willy Chavarria | |
| 2022 | Landscape Architecture | Kounkuey Design Initiative | |
| 2022 | Product Design | CW&T (Che-Wei Wang and Taylor Levy) | |
| 2023 | Design Visionary | Seymour Chwast | |
| 2023 | Climate Action | Biocement Tiles by Biomason | |
| 2023 | Architecture | nARCHITECTS | |
| 2023 | Interior Design | The Archers | |
| 2023 | Communication Design | Arem Duplessis | |
| 2023 | Fashion Design | Naeem Khan | |
| 2023 | Digital Design | Clement Mok | |
| 2023 | Landscape Architecture | Kongjian Yu | |
| 2023 | Product Design | Atlason | |
| 2023 | Emerging Designer | Beatriz Lozano | |