The smow Design Contest brings young talents in furniture design to the trade fair Grassimesse Leipzig and helps young designers entering into the furniture industry. In addition to the smow Design Prize, which is awarded to one of all the exhibitors, smow will be providing five sponsored exhibition spaces for the first time in 2026.
The smow Design Contest at a Glance
• Venue: Grassimesse Leipzig
• Support for young talents: Covering the stand fee for 5 newcomers aged 35 or under
• Design Prize: €2,500 for furniture design, awarded to an exhibitor at the Grassimesse
• Submission deadline: 15 May 2026
In 2026, smow is expanding its involvement at the Grassimesse: for the first time, five emerging talents will receive targeted support and be given their own presentation space free of charge. The call for entries is aimed at designers aged up to 35 who wish to showcase their designs at the fair.
The Grassimesse Leipzig is one of the most important international platforms for applied art and design. Every year, designers and manufacturers present their work here to a broad specialist audience.
Every year, special awards are presented at the Grassimesse for particularly impressive achievements. Since 2023, the smow Design Prize has been awarded to outstanding furniture or prototypes in the field of furniture design. The winner receives €2,500 as prize money.
In addition, we will explore whether there are opportunities for collaboration with smow or with Richard Lampert GmbH & Co. KG – a manufacturer within the smow Group – to further develop the winning design, thereby paving the way for exciting partnerships.
Why take part?
Taking part in the Design Contest offers the chance to gain visibility and secure a sponsored display area at the Grassimesse. Taking part offers the chance to win the smow Design Prize worth €2,500 and the possibility of future collaborations with smow or Richard Lampert.
What are we looking for?
We view furniture design as functional, carefully crafted objects with timeless aesthetics and genuine expressiveness – a harmonious blend of form, function, materiality and tactile quality. Good design should be inviting, intuitively appealing and spark curiosity. We are looking for designs or prototypes of furniture or a furniture series that stand out in terms of their design or tactile quality. It is sufficient to submit a single design.
Who can take part?
The competition is open to designers and interested parties with a relevant background in design, product design, interior design or related fields. We are particularly keen to hear from newcomers and talented individuals who are not yet firmly established in the market. Please note that employees of smow or Richard Lampert are excluded from taking part.
What is the process?
Applications are submitted via the Grassimesse (the deadline for applications is 15 May 2026). The Grassimesse will take place from 23 to 25 October 2026. After the submission deadline, the jury will select the 5 participants who will enjoy a free presentation space on the fair, sponsored by smow. At the opening of the Grassimesse, the jury will select the winner of the smow Design Prize (the prize will be awarded during the opening event hosted by Joerg Meinel on 22 October 2026).
Who is on the jury?
The jury comprises members of the Grassi Friends’ Circle, Grassi staff and experienced industry experts. They will be briefed in detail in advance to ensure they take into account the objectives of the smow Design Prize – promoting emerging talent, visibility and innovation potential. The jury will assess the entries based on design, function, feasibility and degree of innovation.
Apply now!
Submit your entries by 15 May 2026 via the Grassimesse application form. Please ensure that all required documents and details are included in full. We look forward to seeing your creative designs!
