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Responsible
Design Mark

An international mark of integrity, aesthetics, and thoughtful innovation.

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What is the Responsible Design Mark?

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The Responsible Design Mark is an international recognition awarded to design works that embody aesthetic clarity, ethical integrity, and human-centered responsibility. Whether it’s a car, a piece of furniture, a mobile app, or a physical product, this mark identifies design that avoids superficial glamor and instead contributes to a more meaningful, calm,

and considered world.
This is not just a label. It’s a signal. A signal to your customers, partners, and the market that your design choices go beyond trend — and serve something deeper.

Why
It
Matters

In today’s saturated market, trust and clarity are everything.Products that look good are everywhere. But products that make people feel good, products that embody restraint, meaning, and honesty — they are rare.

Receiving the Responsible Design Mark positions your brand at the intersection of beauty and responsibility, sending a clear message:
“We care about more than profit. We care about people. And we care about what design can do.”

This mark builds real differentiation in customer perception, opens doors to high-value partnerships, and strengthens brand loyalty in a world craving calm and purpose.

How It Works
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1. Submission
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Companies submit one or more design works — from vehicles and devices to packaging, visual identities, or digital products.

2. Curation by 100 Certified Judges
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Each judge evaluates based on four transparent criteria:

‍Human Experience: How does the design respect users’ time, attention, and emotional space?

‍Aesthetic Restraint: Does it avoid unnecessary complexity or noise in form and function?

‍Ethical Intention: Is the design honest, transparent, and free from manipulative strategies?

‍Cultural and Ecological Sensitivity: Does it avoid harm — socially, environmentally, and culturally?


A high-level consensus among judges (e.g., 60%, 80%, or 95% approval) results in awarding one of the three levels of the Mark.

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3. Recognition
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Awarded companies may:

‍Display the Mark on their products, websites, catalogs, and packaging

‍Participate in the Annual Award Ceremony in Paris or Lyon, featuring formal photography, press coverage, and certificate handovers

‍Receive a physical trophy and digital badge for public communications

Be featured in the annual Responsible Design Yearbook distributed to press and cultural institutions

Application & Fees

For Whom is this Award Designed?

This mark is ideal for:

Automotive companies with refined, human-centered models

Consumer electronics with minimalist form and intuitive use

Fashion and product brands with timeless aesthetics and ethical sourcing

Digital products that value attention, clarity, and calm interaction

Any business aiming to align their brand with a deeper design philosophy

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Why This Mark — and Not Others?


Unlike RedDot, iF, or other form-based design awards, the Responsible Design Mark is not about styling, innovation, or market success.It’s about meaning.

It’s about why something was designed the way it was.
You will not receive this mark unless your product shows restraint, clarity, and intentionality.
This is what makes it rare — and powerful.

Join a Global Circle of
Responsible Design




Once certified, your company becomes part of the larger VAND Responsible Design Network — a platform of thought leaders, creators, and companies changing the future of design from within.

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Start your application now.

Let your design speak with integrity.