The first DesignEuropa Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Giorgetto Giugiaro, one of the most famous names in industrial design, having created more than 200 car designs in his six-decade long career. His designs include the Volkswagen Golf, the Lotus Esprit, the Fiat Panda, and the Maserati Bora 3200 GT. Over the course of his working life, he has collaborated with nearly every major car company in the world. Through his leadership and dedication to his craft, he has inspired generations of young designers.

Mr Giugiaro is known all over the world as one of the most successful designers in automotive history. He has been directly responsible for creating over 300 standard production models and more than 200 research prototypes for numerous different manufacturers. Approximately 60 million vehicles on the world’s roads, produced by leading car makers, are the result of his creativity.

The DesignEuropa Awards finalists in the Industry and Small and Emerging Companies categories are revealed today as well. In the Industry Category finalists are: Alessi for the Pulcina espresso maker and Ducati for the XDiavel motorcycle, Raval for the bicycle rack and Thule for the Urban Glide jogging stroller.

In the Small and Emerging Companies Category finalists are: IDO Bench, Flap sound absorbing panel, Mooove lamp, Aria lamp.

The DesignEuropa Awards are organised by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), and celebrate excellence in design and design management among Registered Community Design (RCD) holders.

The finalists and the winner of the Lifetime Achievement award were selected by the DesignEuropa Awards jury. The members of the prestigious panel are drawn from the fields of business, design and intellectual property.

The winners of the Industry and Small and Emerging Companies Awards will be announced on November 30, at the DesignEuropa Awards ceremony in Milan. On that date, the Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented to legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro.