Milestones in Contemporary Design 2020–2021

Special exhibition
23 June 2020 – 31 May 2021

The exhibition in the White Hall and White Box presents the 76 best products of 2020 - the current milestones in international product design, selected by an international jury in the 51 categories of the competition. They fulfil the four qualities of good design, the quality of function, use, seduction and responsibility. These products set new standards in their respective industries and clearly stand out from the competition in terms of function and aesthetics through their innovative power and design. These four qualities are illustrated with each product by means of an information graphic.

Among the milestone products is the Honda e, a small electric car, which the design experts on the Red Dot Award jury consider to be one of the big ones in 2020, as both design and technological features are groundbreaking. Other milestones include the Apple Pro Display XDR, whose rear view surprises with an innovative grille pattern that improves functionality by making the monitor lighter and improving airflow, or the e-bikes "VanMoof S3 and X3", which are not only easy to ride but also enhance the user experience with a matrix display in the upper frame and other features.

Around 1,600 other products that have won the Red Dot Award: Product Design are also presented in the special exhibition "Design on Stage" on five floors of the Red Dot Design Museum.

Admission: 9 € (Reduced: 4 €)
Children under 12: Free admission

Fridays: Pay what you want

» Download exhibition brochure

20 June 2023 – 31 May 2024

Special exhibition

Milestones in Contemporary Design 2023–2024

The exhibition on the first floor presents the best products of 2023 - the current milestones in international product design.

20 June 2023 – 31 May 2024

Special exhibition

Design on Stage 2023–2024

Award-winning products from all over the world are guests at the Red Dot Design Museum until the end of May 2024.

22 February 2024 – 2 June 2024

Special exhibition

Colours of Our Time – Identity and Difference in Design

The special exhibition on the theme of "Colour in Design" can be seen from 22 February to 2 June 2024.

12 April 2024 – 26 May 2024

Special exhibition

"World’s Best Communication Design 2023 and Highlights from NRW"

The Red Dot Design Museum in Essen is showing award-winning communication design from around the world in the exhibition "World’s Best Communication Design 2023 and Highlights from NRW".

19 May 2024 | 13:00 – 15:00 h

Permanent exhibition

International Museum Day at the Red Dot Design Museum

International Museum Day: The Red Dot Design Museum is offering free public guided tours (in German) every half hour between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is pay-what-you-want.

26 May 2024 | 14:00 – 15:00 h

Public tour

Public guided tours: "Colours of Our Time"

The Red Dot Design Museum offers a half-hour public tour at 2 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. each Sunday. Participation is free of charge (however, the normal museum admission fee must be paid).

Please note: The tour will be conducted in German!

30 May 2024 | 13:00 – 15:00 h

Public tour

Family Day at Zollverein: Free public guided tours at the Red Dot Design Museum

Family Day at Zollverein: The Red Dot Design Museum is offering public tours every half hour between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission to the museum is on a "Pay What You Want" basis. Participation in the tours is free of charge.

Please note: The tours will be conducted in German

10 June 2024 – 24 June 2024

Permanent exhibition

Museum closed

The Red Dot Design Museum will be closed as of 10 until 24 June 2024 for the public. During this period, we are preparing two new special exhibitions for our visitors: "Milestones in Contemporary Design 2024" and "Design on Stage 2024". Starting Tuesday, 25 June 2024, the exhibitions will be open for the public.