Rimowa Design Prize 2026: Nura Bracelet Translates Sign Language

The Rimowa Design Prize 2026 has been awarded to Samuel Nagel and Paul Feiler from the Schwäbisch Gmünd University of Applied Sciences for their bracelet 'Nura', which translates sign language into spoken language and converts speech into written text. The prize, endowed with a substantial monetary award, focuses on social design. Seven finalists were selected from students at German universities, with their projects on display at the Berlin Kulturforum until May 13. Other notable projects include Jakob Schlenker's bird-like device to encourage movement and social interaction among the elderly, Niklas Henning's harvesting system for restoring moors and improving reed harvesting, Tobias Kremer and Yannick Stilgenbauer's inflatable double-walled capsule for evaporative cooling without electricity, and Valerio Sampognaro's lightweight furniture reminiscent of tent poles or kites. The audience favorite was Sampognaro's work from the HFBK Hamburg. Notably, no Berlin students were among the finalists, possibly due to the city's underfunded universities. Separately, the German Design Museum of Rafael Horzon launched its first German Design Prize of the German Design Museum (DDDDDM), inviting all participants to contribute seating furniture to the exhibition 'Sitzen machen!'. The 136 submitted pieces are on display, with visitors voting for the best; ballots will be counted on May 29 without a jury or prize money.