Award for Extraordinary Contribution to Global Design
Award for Extraordinary Contribution to Global Design
Since 2024, Designblok has presented a special honorary award to a leading figure in global design – recognising exceptional creative, academic, or theoretical contributions to the field. The physical award takes the form of a glass log, designed by Jan Plecháč and hand-cut by master craftsmen at the Moser glassworks.
The first recipient of this prestigious award was British designer, architect, and artist Ron Arad, who accepted the honour from Festival Director Jana Zielinski in 2024. A postmodern icon and former professor at the Royal College of Art, Arad is known for his visionary work and collaborations with brands such as Moroso, Vitra, Kartell, Magis, and Alessi.
In 2025, the award will be presented to the main guest of the 27th edition of Designblok: Patricia Urquiola, a true icon of global design. The Spanish-born designer and architect, based in Milan, creates acclaimed work for Cassina, Moroso, B&B Italia, Kartell, Flos, and Louis Vuitton. Her approach is playful, empathetic, materially refined, and consistently innovative. She comes to Prague at the invitation of Designblok and Konsepti.
