iF Design Berlin 2026: AI Anxiety Gives Way to Craft and Judgment
In Berlin, a city renowned for its design influence, the iF Design Press Tour, Award Night, and Trend Conference were held. On April 27, the award ceremony, which was fully booked, attracted over 2,000 attendees from 42 countries at Friedrichstadt-Palast. From more than 10,000 submissions across 68 nations and 93 categories, 74 Gold awards were presented. The Lifetime Achievement Award honored Patricia Urquiola, celebrated for her focus on materials and tactile experiences. Central to the event was the theme of AI's influence on design, featuring speakers like Branko Lukic, Robert Hodgin, and Borja Martínez Pérez, who discussed the importance of craftsmanship. The fifth edition of the iF Design Trend Report is available for free download until July 7, emphasizing that technology should enhance human experience rather than replace it.
Key facts
- iF Design held its Press Tour, Award Night, and Trend Conference in Berlin.
- The award ceremony took place on April 27 at Friedrichstadt-Palast.
- Over 2,000 guests from 42 nations attended the sold-out event.
- 74 Gold trophies were awarded from more than 10,000 entries across 68 countries and 93 categories.
- Patricia Urquiola received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Speakers included Branko Lukic, Robert Hodgin, and Borja Martínez Pérez.
- The iF Design Trend Report (fifth edition) is free to download until July 7.
- The conference focused on AI's role in design, emphasizing human judgment and craft.
Entities
Artists
- Patricia Urquiola
- Branko Lukic
- Robert Hodgin
- Borja Martínez Pérez
- Luka Schulz
Institutions
- iF Design
- Friedrichstadt-Palast
- Lo Siento
- PRINT Magazine
- iF DESIGN AWARD
- iF DESIGN ACADEMY
- AXICA
- Glocal Design Magazine
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Brandenburg Gate