iF International Forum Design

Profile of iF


iF Industrie Forum Design e.V. and
iF International Forum Design GmbH

For over fifty years iF Industrie Forum Design e.V. has had its roots at the Hannover exhibition center. Launched in 1953 as the “Special Show for Well-designed Industrial Goods”, this registered association — as indicated by the German abbreviation “e.V.” — was expanded in 2001 to include a new operating arm: iF International Forum Design GmbH. This organization is now responsible for all iF business areas — above all for staging the renowned iF award competitions.


As an independent institution iF exercises a decisive mediating role between design and industry, fulfilling this function for many years now in an objective and reputable manner. This special capacity allows iF to make a significant contribution to the success of design services in an economic context as well as enhancing public awareness of the importance of design