The jury decided to award the Lifetime Achievement Award to graphic designer Paul Boudens due to his signature style, international appeal and influence on the graphics industry both in Flanders and far beyond. In the past 30 years, Paul Boudens has developed a strong, iconic style and he is seen as a passionate designer who is not afraid to challenge the status quo. Paul is a pioneer of graphic design and has helped the Belgian fashion industry to establish its identity with his quirky designs, in which handcrafted elements often play a major role.

The jury decided to award the Young Talent Award to Amandine David, who in a short time, has specialised herself in traditional crafts such as weaving and pottery combined with digital methods. She effortlessly links craftsmanship and innovation. Furthermore, her professional approach and collaborative efforts with other designers and makers are admirable. The jury hopes that this award and cash prize will give her the boost she needs to break through internationally.

The jury decided to award the Company Award to Tomorrowland, a company and festival who make excellent use of design throughout their organisation, for all employees and festival attendees. They use design in many areas, from service and experience design to product and graphic design. Tomorrowland has an international presence and year after year, has continued to apply a strategy which inextricably links design, innovation, experience, organisation and safety. Additionally, Tomorrowland is committed to the further development of its sustainability policy.

The jury wishes to award the Ecodesign by OVAM Award to Resortecs, a company that has developed an innovative application for yarn reuse in the fashion industry. The company is seen as a role model in the application of ecodesign principles. Collaborations with international players have allowed Resortecs to achieve rapid progress. The jury believes in the company’s impact and growth and hopes that the design world will embrace their innovative developments as well.

The public could vote for their favourite for the Public Gold Award. Fontrescue by Studio Brussels Lof got the most votes.

XEOS AURA 10 by Pars Pro Toto for XEOS is a device for medical imaging of resected tissue during oncology surgery.

The other two winners in this category are:

• Silver: Evolve 4EL23 by Pars Pro Toto for Anglo Belgian Corporation is a medium speed multi-fuel engine facilitating transition from fossil fuel to zero-carbon fuel.
• Bronze: Robovision AI platform by Loemer for Robovision allows multifunctional teams to create, deploy, update and maintain AI models without programming.

MyBlanket of My Add On is a rain cover for wheelchair users’ legs that can be put on without assistance or standing upright.

The other two winners in this category are:

• Silver: ​CoMoveIT Smart by Comate & Voyager for CoMoveIT is a smart control system for electric wheelchairs to help users struggling with the conventional joystick.
• Bronze: °Plug by Frits Jeuris for Eden Design is a modular tubular light fitting that can be infinitely varied.

Whaleboat O28 by Whaleboat is a five-person rowing boat with ocean-going facilities.

The other two winners in this category are:

• Silver: Glasstromen by KUYCKXMEERS is a series of vases created by research into uses of glass that is difficult to recycle.
• Bronze: The act of a line by Marijke De Cock is a five-person rowing boat with ocean-going facilities.

No Time To Waste by Isabeau Goddé is a research exploring the potential of lint, a by-product of the textile industry.

The other two winners in this category are:

• Silver: Prosthetic X by Isaac Monté (& In 4Art) is a research that provides insight into health data and encourages behavioural change.
• Bronze: Rotmóy / Hongerhuids by Studio Narture & Under Thy Skin is a research that converts surplus food into colourful pigments via fermentation.

Virtual Museum of Flanders by Studio Dott for Vlaamse overheid / Departement Cultuur, Jeugd en Media is a research and concept development for making Flemish heritage widely accessible.

The other two winners in this category are:

• Silver: Cocom by Bedja Design for Cocom is a mobile application for flexible rental and rental of spaces for day use thanks to space sharing.
• Bronze: ​Last Metal Standing by Mutant & nøcomputer for StuBru is a virtual moshpit that brought the metal community together online during the period of isolation.

Ledegem becomes Leaudegem! by HelloWater for Ledegem is an innovative water purification system as a sustainable alternative to sewerage.

The other two winners in this category are:

• Silver: Buddy by IPEE is a smart toilet assistant that provides automatic flushing.
• Bronze: K Bio by studio PART for ETAP is an emergency lighting based on bio-circular material.

Fontrescue by Studio Brussels Lof is the digitisation of letters from public spaces that are supplemented into a complete alphabet.

The other two winners in this category are:

• Silver: Vel by Sabien Clement & Mieke Versyp (layout: Quod voor de vorm) for Uitgeverij Oogachtend is a graphic novel about bodies and proximity.
• Bronze: Passages by Martha Verschaffel (layout: Stijn Dams) for Bries vzw is a graphic novel about time and making choices.

MiaCabana by iDNA for Green Atrium is a modular expandable cabana, available as shelter and pergola.

The other two winners in this category are:

• Silver: Cango by Yellow Window for Hahbo is a mobile care home that reduces the burden on both the care provider and the person in need of care.
• Bronze: Stroom by Studio Dott is an aesthetically and intelligently designed cable tray system that conceals technical piping.

Sustainable interior renovation and improved travel experience of the Thalys Ruby by Yellow Window and Matali Crasset of the Thalys Ruby.

The other two winners in this category are:

• Silver: Experience exhibition Tabloo by Bailleul Ontwerpbureau for NIRAS is an experience exhibition on radioactivity and the management of radioactive waste, with young people as the primary target group.
• Bronze: Maakleerplek Leuven by Polo (architect), Vanhout.Pro & Infrabo for city of Leuven is a temporary circular set-up of the Silos and Mills Van Orshoven in Leuven.

On the occasion of the Henry van de Velde Awards, there is an exhibition in the Foyers of Bozar. All winning designers, companies and projects exhibit their work there. The exhibition is free to visit until 2 April 2023. The scenography was made by Isabelle Speybrouck.

Do you want to know more about the winners and winning projects of the Henry van de Velde Awards 23? Order a copy of our publication! Besides an overview of all the winners and their work, you will read the report of the roundtable discussion with the four main winners of the awards, an in-depth interview with Lifetime Achievement Winner Paul Boudens, an interview with Minister Jo Brouns and a behind-the-scenes look at the work of the winners of the project categories. The richly illustrated publication (160 pages) is bilingual (NL-EN) and was designed by Geoffrey Brusatto. You can order it online at 10 euros (including shipping costs). The publication is also available at a number of specialised bookshops.

The Henry van de Velde Awards were organised by Flanders DC with the support of VLAIO, Bozar, Z33, OVAM, VMM and Bokrijk.