Vuoden Huiput ’25 kicks off in January

Vuoden Huiput is a design competition established by Finnish creative professionals and has been held annually since 1980. The competition aims to highlight the best in Finnish design and creativity while recognizing bold and original work. It provides a platform for designers to showcase both the concept and the meticulous execution of their projects.

The jury consists of a rotating group of 60 leading industry professionals, selected annually by the board of Grafia. Their task is to evaluate submissions based on idea, execution, and refinement. For Vuoden Huiput 2025, the jury president is internationally acclaimed creative designer Lotta Nieminen. Nieminen has worked as an art director and creative designer for global brands such as Bvlgari, Hermès, Google, and Marimekko, with expertise spanning branding, visual identities, publications, and digital applications.

The competition’s categories have been updated to reflect developments in the field. The Design category has been divided into Digital Design and Graphic Design, the latter also including publications. The Image category has been split into Photography and Illustration. Additionally, Vuoden Huiput features a Joker category selected by the jury president, which this year focuses on the craft of refinement. This category emphasizes the quality of craftsmanship, technical skill, and the complete realization of an idea. Entries may showcase careful typography, precise and insightful illustration, seamless user experience, or technically ambitious execution. The key criterion is that the idea is fully realized in practice, not left as a mere concept.

The visual identity of Vuoden Huiput has been created by the branding and marketing agency N2 Albiino. The design celebrates creativity and metamorphosis, highlighting movement, surprise, and the joy of making, while offering a fresh perspective on familiar forms.

Vuoden Huiput 2025 opens for submissions on January 2, 2026, and closes on January 23 at 23:59. The jury will evaluate entries on February 7–8, and the winners will be celebrated at a gala on April 23, 2026. More information about the jury, categories, and rules is available at vuodenhuiput.fi.