German Design Award
Personality of the Year 2026
Naoto Fukasawa
February 8th, 2026
Jury statement:
For his exceptional ability to resolve complex design questions with radical simplicity and to redefine contemporary design through clarity and restraint, the jury of the German Design Awards honors Naoto Fukasawa as Personality of the Year 2026.
Fukasawa has shaped a design philosophy that transforms everyday life without drawing attention to itself. His concept of “Without Thought” describes objects that merge seamlessly with human behaviour. By observing intuitive gestures, he creates forms that feel natural from the very first moment. His designs do not need instruction because they emerge directly from the way people interact with the world.
His collaborations with international brands such as Alessi, Muji, B&B Italia, or Herman Miller illustrate how universally this philosophy resonates. The wall-mounted Muji CD player has become an emblem of his approach. Functional, familiar and quietly expressive, it is considered one of the most influential product designs of the past decades.
Fukasawa’s work is marked by deliberate restraint. His objects avoid spectacle and fashion-driven aesthetics. Instead, they rely on durability, clarity of materials and precise functionality. In an era defined by sensory overload, rapid technological change and short product lifecycles, his design reminds us of the value of simplicity, continuity and thoughtful resource use.
He bridges traditional Japanese sensibilities with contemporary industrial design. His objects feel grounded and refined, yet universally approachable. With the exhibition “Super Normal”, developed together with Jasper Morrison, he articulated this perspective and shared it with the international design community.
Fukasawa’s contribution reaches far beyond form. He demonstrates how design can guide behaviour, enrich daily experience and contribute to societal transformation. His work encourages a deeper understanding of our relationship with objects and the environments we inhabit.
The German Design Awards 2026 honor Naoto Fukasawa for his clarity, sensitivity and design integrity. His work exerts its influence quietly but powerfully, shaping everyday life and offering a compelling vision for a future in which good design persuades not by demanding attention, but by creating meaning.
For his exceptional ability to resolve complex design questions with radical simplicity and to redefine contemporary design through clarity and restraint, the jury of the German Design Awards honors Naoto Fukasawa as Personality of the Year 2026.
Fukasawa has shaped a design philosophy that transforms everyday life without drawing attention to itself. His concept of “Without Thought” describes objects that merge seamlessly with human behaviour. By observing intuitive gestures, he creates forms that feel natural from the very first moment. His designs do not need instruction because they emerge directly from the way people interact with the world.
His collaborations with international brands such as Alessi, Muji, B&B Italia, or Herman Miller illustrate how universally this philosophy resonates. The wall-mounted Muji CD player has become an emblem of his approach. Functional, familiar and quietly expressive, it is considered one of the most influential product designs of the past decades.
Fukasawa’s work is marked by deliberate restraint. His objects avoid spectacle and fashion-driven aesthetics. Instead, they rely on durability, clarity of materials and precise functionality. In an era defined by sensory overload, rapid technological change and short product lifecycles, his design reminds us of the value of simplicity, continuity and thoughtful resource use.
He bridges traditional Japanese sensibilities with contemporary industrial design. His objects feel grounded and refined, yet universally approachable. With the exhibition “Super Normal”, developed together with Jasper Morrison, he articulated this perspective and shared it with the international design community.
Fukasawa’s contribution reaches far beyond form. He demonstrates how design can guide behaviour, enrich daily experience and contribute to societal transformation. His work encourages a deeper understanding of our relationship with objects and the environments we inhabit.
The German Design Awards 2026 honor Naoto Fukasawa for his clarity, sensitivity and design integrity. His work exerts its influence quietly but powerfully, shaping everyday life and offering a compelling vision for a future in which good design persuades not by demanding attention, but by creating meaning.