The Ralph Saltzman Prize included a honorarium and the opportunity for an emerging designer to show their work at the Design Museum. Paying tribute to Saltzman’s innovative approach to contemporary design practices, the award contributed to the Museum’s mission to champion new talent and nurture the development of a vibrant design sector.

“This particular prize is for a product designer working in or across products, furniture, textiles or technology. We are defining ‘emerging’ as a practising designer within five years of leaving education or within five years of setting up a business. We look for people who are making a mark on product design, be it through innovation, sustainability or cultural re-evaluation. The Design Museum strongly believes in supporting emerging designers so we are thrilled to work with The Saltzman Family Foundation to make this possible through this new award.” – Justin McGuirk, Chief Curator, the Design Museum

Co-Founder and President of Designtex, Saltzman's curiosity and collaborative spirit are evident in the legacy of innovation he leaves behind and in the company he founded more than 60 years ago. Designtex's development of sustainable textiles and the partnership that emerged between William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart won First Prize in the International Design Sense competition at the Design Museum in 2000.