Harmony through precision – Epson Design is Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2026

Seiko Epson Corporation, a leading global technology company, has been named “Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2026”. The company operates in four key business areas – printing solutions, visual communications (projectors), industrial robotics, as well as wearable and sensing technologies – and is distinguished by a consistent design strategy and strong innovative capability.

With Epson Design, a team is being recognised that understands design as a responsibility and develops solutions with great care that are intended to improve everyday life. Their approach is characterised by respect: for a product’s function, for people’s needs, and for the resources used throughout the design process.

Seiko Epson Corporation looks back on a continuous record of recognition in the Red Dot Award: Product Design. The submissions reflect the design quality and innovative strength of Epson Design across many product generations. By receiving this honour, Epson Design is positioning itself alongside the biggest names in design, joining the ranks of iconic brands such as Ferrari, Logitech and, most recently, BRP, in the Hall of Fame.

A philosophy rooted in culture and precision

Seiko Epson Corporation has its origins in Japan and emerged from a tradition of precision engineering and watchmaking. In the Shinshu region, now known as Nagano Prefecture, an early environment developed for high-precision timekeeping technologies and later electronic components – a foundation that continues to shape the company’s commitment to accuracy and technological innovation to this day.

This relationship between environment, resources and precision is also reflected in the company’s cultural mindset. As Tetsu Nakayama, Design Strategy Manager, explains: “Culturally, our roots lie in the Shinshu region, where a beautiful yet harsh natural environment has fostered an awareness of careful resource use and the importance of balance with the surrounding environment.”

Epson’s design philosophy is also closely linked to this cultural context. It is deeply rooted in Japanese design thinking, which is characterised by clarity, restraint and a strong sense of quality. Precision is understood not merely as a technical attribute, but as an attitude that continually strives for harmony: “Japanese design is not just about reducing elements. It is also about harmony within a larger system, consideration for the user, precision in detail, and a mindset of creating value through relationships,” says Hideki Kato, Head of Product Design, Printing Products.

At the core lies the guiding principle “Sho-Sho-Sei” – efficient, compact and precise: “We strive to reduce unnecessary waste through thoughtful, aesthetic design that is close to people. At the same time, we aim to create intuitive and inspiring value with careful consideration of environmental aspects,” says Takaaki Ishikawa, Head of Product & UX Design, Visual Products.

Human-centred design balancing impact and simplicity

Epson’s design approach is also defined by a clear focus on people and their everyday needs. This human-centred perspective shapes both product development and the way the company positions itself within society. As Hiroyuki Ochiai, Product Design Manager, Wearable Products, emphasises: “Epson is not solely a company producing rigid business products. From addressing societal challenges to enriching individual lifestyles, Epson is a uniquely human-centred company, and we aim to convey this through design.”

“I hope people will recognise the sense of balance in Epson design – the ability to embody a strong impact within a framework of simplicity,” adds Yosuke Wakamiya, Head of UX Design, Printing Products.

Honouring collaboration and progress

Reflecting on the significance of the honorary title and what it represents for Epson Design as a whole, Hideki Kato concludes:

“Being recognised as ‘Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2026’ is both a great encouragement and a tremendous honour for me personally and for the team. This honour reflects the accumulated efforts of each design team in their respective fields, as well as the mindset developed across departments and domains. It is also the result of close collaboration with many colleagues across the wider organisation. However, this is not a final destination. Moving forward, we aim not only to continue refining value within individual business areas, but also to further shape the Epson brand as a whole across the organisation through the power of design.”

Professor Dr. Peter Zec, founder and CEO of Red Dot, congratulates Epson Design on this creative achievement:

“With exceptional clarity and consistency, Epson has created a remarkably broad portfolio and translates technological innovation with great assurance into accessible, human-centred solutions – precise and carefully composed in their expression. The design approach is defined by a strong sense of harmony – between form and function and between technological precision and user experience. Driven by a strategically embedded design culture, this results in internationally successful products with a clear identity. The title ‘Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2026’ recognises this outstanding achievement. Congratulations to the whole team!”

Award ceremony as part of the Red Dot Gala

The official awarding of the title will take place on 7 July 2026 at the Aalto Theater in Essen. During the Red Dot Gala, Epson Design will be honoured in front of an international audience from the fields of design, business and media. The team will also have the opportunity to present itself and its working methods at the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen.

Red Dot: Design Team of the Year

The title “Red Dot: Design Team of the Year” has been awarded annually since 1988 as part of the Red Dot Award: Product Design to a design team that demonstrates exceptional innovative strength, creative excellence and outstanding design quality. It recognises the holistic design performance of a company, with a particular focus on successful collaboration within the design team. The awarded teams are characterised by a strong commitment to innovation, user-centred design and sustainable design principles. The honorary title is unique within the international design landscape and enjoys a reputation that extends far beyond the design industry.

Hall of Fame: All award-winning design teams since 1988

2026 Epson Design

2025 BRP Design & Innovation Team

2024 Thule Design Team

2023 Logitech Design

2022 Philips Experience Design Team led by Sean Carney

2021 Studio F. A. Porsche

2020 Fiskars Design Team led by Petteri Masalin

2019 Flavio Manzoni & Ferrari Design Team

2018 Phoenix Design Team

2017 Canyon Design Team

2016 Blackmagic Industrial Design Team led by Simon Kidd

2015 Robert Sachon & Bosch Home Appliances Design Team

2014 Veryday

2013 Lenovo Design & User Experience Team

2012 Michael Mauer & Style Porsche

2011 The Grohe Design Team led by Paul Flowers

2010 Stephan Niehaus & Hilti Design Team

2009 Susan Perkins & Tupperware World Wide Design Team

2008 Michael Laude & Bose Design Team

2007 Chris Bangle & Design Team BMW Group

2006 LG Corporate Design Center

2005 Adidas Design Team

2004 Pininfarina Design Team

2003 Nokia Design Team

2002 Apple Industrial Design Team

2001 Festo Design Team

2000 Sony Design Team

1999 Audi Design Team

1998 Philips Design Team

1997 Michele De Lucchi Design Team

1996 Bill Moggridge & Ideo Design Team

1995 Herbert Schultes & Siemens Design Team

1994 Bruno Sacco & Mercedes-Benz Design Team

1993 Hartmut Esslinger & Frogdesign

1992 Alexander Neumeister & Neumeister Design

1991 Reiner Moll & Partner &.molldesign

1990 Slany Design Team

1989 Braun Design Team

1988 Leybold AG Design Team

The Red Dot Design Award is one of the most prestigious design competitions worldwide. Participants can submit entries in three disciplines: products, brands and communication projects, as well as prototypes and design concepts. Each year, a jury convenes for each award category to individually assess the submissions and subsequently decide on the awarding of distinctions.

The Red Dot Design Award has a nearly 70-year history: in 1955, a jury convened for the first time to evaluate the best designs of that era. In the 1990s, Red Dot CEO Professor Dr. Peter Zec developed the name and brand of the award.