Ten times a juror. What I learned about great design.
Ten times as a juror. Six years of judging some of the world’s most respected design competitions, including iF Design Award, ADC Annual Awards, DesignEuropa Awards EUIPO, TISDC, Dobry Wzór and CECA. This experience changed the way I look at design. It taught me that great design does not win because it is simply “beautiful,” but because it solves a real problem, remains coherent on every level, and does not need a long explanation.
Why I stopped calling myself a freelancer.
For years, I called myself a freelancer because it sounded honest. But after 25 years, 400+ projects, and work across medicine, electronics, aviation, interiors, brands and publishing, I realised the word was too small. I was never just delivering pieces of work — I was helping build the whole picture. All Form One became the name for that broader way of thinking: products, brands, ventures and narratives shaped into one coherent whole.
DesignEuropa Awards 2025. With my design family in Copenhagen.
The sixth edition of the DesignEuropa Awards in Copenhagen. My third consecutive year on the EUIPO jury and another chapter in six years of judging some of the world's most respected design competitions, including iF Design Award, ADC Annual Awards, DesignEuropa Awards EUIPO, TISDC and Dobry Wzór. Every session changes the way I look at design. Great products do not win because they are beautiful. They win because they solve real problems, stay coherent on every level, and need no explanation.
Summary of DesignEuropa Awards 2024
I had the immense honor of once again serving on the jury for the DesignEuropa Awards, which this year surprised us with some fantastic new developments and incredible projects. This prestigious event continues to attract the best designers from across Europe, and it's heartening to see how the awareness of intellectual property protection is growing, along with the thriving innovation in Europe.
Dieter Rams - godfather of industrial design!
Today, I'd like to share something very personal and close to my heart. It's about Dieter Rams – the man who not only inspired me to become a designer but has also been shaping and inspiring entire generations of designers around the world for nearly 70 years. It’s an immense honor for me to have been a member of the jury in this year’s Design Europa Awards, where Dieter Rams received the Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is an indescribable honor and a professional pride for me.
Will the profession of industrial design be displaced by A.I?
AI cannot replace industrial designers. While it can assist in the design process, it lacks human intuition and empathy, vital in understanding user needs. The designer's unique value lies in blending technical knowledge, creativity, and empathy. Success hinges on merging human creativity with AI's capabilities
Design Competitions and Award Winning
Design competitions go beyond recognition, offering a multitude of benefits for designers, products, and manufacturers. Winning awards advances careers, enhances visibility, and provides networking opportunities. For products, awards build consumer trust, create market advantages, and boost sales. Manufacturers gain reputation, competitiveness, sales growth, and talent attraction. Jurors, experienced designers themselves, maintain design excellence and foster collaboration. Participating in competitions shapes reality and creates meaningful experiences. Embrace the possibilities and contribute to a better future through design.
Appreciating Intellectual Property
Join me on an exhilarating journey celebrating intellectual property! As a DesignEuropa Awards juror, I'm honored to recognize and reward the remarkable contributions of Europe's finest designers. Together, we weave a stronger creative fabric, setting new standards while safeguarding our unique concepts.
The pleasure of being a rebel
Individualism and collaboration are both essential in business. As one of the recognized rebels in the industry, I appreciate the power of expressing originality and making unconventional decisions. Rebellion can be seen as innovation, driving creative approaches and introducing new solutions. Collaboration enhances success, as teamwork and diverse perspectives contribute to achieving greater results. Let's embrace individualism, foster collaboration, and create a future filled with unique and innovative solutions.
Celebrating a Century of Creativity
The ADC Annual Awards, an enduring symbol of excellence for a century, celebrated its monumental 100th edition in 2021. As a juror representing Poland, I witnessed the resilience and adaptability of the global design community amidst the pandemic. Designers showcased rapid innovation, addressing real-world problems through their creative solutions. The diverse entries highlighted the transformative power of design and its ability to shape our response to the world. Serving as a juror affirmed my commitment to fostering creativity and driving design excellence. As we face challenges, design thinking will lead us towards recovery and growth. Celebrating the ADC Awards' legacy, we embrace the future with inspiration, innovation, and endless creativity.
Overcoming Challenges
The iF Design Award thrived amidst the pandemic, showcasing resilience and adaptability. Serving on the jury panel for the second year, I witnessed the power of creativity in overcoming challenges. The digital iF jury tool facilitated transparent judging. This experience reinforced my commitment to fostering innovative design. The invitation to serve consecutively is an honor, and I look forward to supporting the future of design.
From Recipient to Juror
Joining the iF Design Award jury was a great honor and a meaningful professional milestone. After receiving multiple iF distinctions myself, including the iF Gold Design Award as the first Polish recipient, I returned to the competition from a new perspective — not as a participant, but as a juror. It was a responsibility, a privilege, and a chance to support the next generation of outstanding design.
Embracing Change: Charting a New Course in My Design Journey
After twelve years of co-creating Mindsailors Design Studio, I decided to step away and redefine my role as a designer. That transition led me toward independent product design, new business challenges, and the creation of Homessence with Marika Jóźwiak. It taught me that design is not limited to objects — it is a way of thinking, building value, and creating new paths.
✍️ About the author: Michał "Boni" Bonikowski is an industrial designer, brand builder and entrepreneur based in Warsaw. CEO of All Form One, an independent creative enterprise. Over 25 years and 400+ products across medical devices, consumer electronics, aviation and industrial sectors. iF Gold Award 2014 — first Polish winner. Red Dot 2021. DesignEuropa Finalist 2021. Juror for iF Design Award, ADC Annual Awards, DesignEuropa EUIPO, Dobry Wzór and Taiwan International Student Design Competition. Member of the Advisory Board, Central European Creative Awards.