Hublot announces the winners of the 8th edition of the Hublot Design Prize, recognising committed design.
The Hublot Design Prize is an international competition launched by Hublot in 2015, awarded in recognition of
original design. The prize is open to designers aged under 40 in recognition of their work achievements, without
restricting itself to a specific area of design. To ensure the cultural diversity of the competition, and celebrate
the wealth of creativity worldwide, each jury member is invited to select 5 candidates. The jury’s first meeting
in the year is to agree on the finalists who will come to present their philosophy at the event. This acts as a
springboard for young designers’ careers, while providing an international profile boost for the winner’s existing
work.
This year’s edition of the Hublot Design Prize award ceremony took place on 2 October in the new extension
of the Kunsthaus Zurich, in the presence of the six finalists, the jury and an invited audience. The Hublot Design Prize 2023 is awarded to Aqui Thami, in recognition of the social impact of her work and her inspirational approach to it.
A deep activist engagement is present in each of Aqui’s activities, ranging from graphic and social design to
art and performance. The jury highlighted her fluid multidisciplinary practice, reflected in the performances, drawings, posters, zines (self-produced magazines) and artworks she creates. Passionately committed to working for the benefit of women and girls in her local community in Mumbai. Aqui an indigenous woman and her actions may lead her to risky and dangerous situations. Nonetheless, she maintains a positive approach and aware of the importance of education, she founded the Sister Library. This is the first feminist library in South Asia, fully managed by the local community.
The Pierre Keller Prize goes to Gabriel Fontana for his work using sport as a tool for redefining roles and social norms, whose purpose is to create a positive impact, particularly on preconceived interpretations of identity and inclusion. The designer also plays with uniforms by developing non-stigmatising clothing for sports and community activities.
This year was amazing, given the variety and quality of the projects a new generation of hybrid designers is emerging, less focused on objects and more conscious of social and environmental issues.
HANS ULRICH OBRIST
PRESIDENT OF THE HUBLOT DESIGN PRIZE JURY
Hublot is once again demonstrating its commitment to creativity and innovation, by celebrating the emerging
talents of design. This new generation shows great commitment to the social context, which is embodies by our 6 finalists, all from very different disciplines and horizons. The 2023 edition is marked by their philosophy of addressing the challenges of society, the environment, equality and inclusion. Hublot is proud to participate in this movement with the Hublot Design Prize, which represents an endorsement and a helping hand for the winners, who in addition to the generous grant, enjoy a great media profile boost. Without any specific age conditions, the prize recognises candidates for the consistency of their career, motivation and the quality of their work as a whole.
