DesignRush Announces January’s Best Design Award Winners

It's time to once again shine a light on the winners of DesignRush’s Best Design Awards for January 2025!

To kick off the new year, we selected the best designers and agencies for their creativity and expertise across six categories: Web, Logo, Print, App, Packaging, and Video.

Entries were judged by a panel of industry experts, who meticulously assessed each entry against high standards.

While the awards honor exceptional design, we hope they also encourage both brands and agencies to continuously break new ground in their creative pursuits. May these standout projects spark fresh inspirations and set new standards for the year ahead.

Best Web Design: System One by Konpo

With a sleek, motion-driven intro, System One's animated logo in the header screams innovation. This is a great example of using simple design tactics to make a big impact.

Another standout addition is the cascade of client logos onto the page, presenting visitors with a playful, interactive showcase rather than a static testimonial section.

The use of motion effects like these is a clever tactic by Konpo, showcasing partnerships without letting them feel stale or corporate, making for a memorable element.

On top of that, the counter animations for the number of agents, artists, and shows that System One has worked with feature real-time data, providing visitors with a meaningful story.

Best Logo Design: America’s Wildlife Refuges by The Bureau Of Small Projects

For this project, The Bureau of Small Projects drew inspiration from cairns — man-made mounds of stones typically built as memorials or landmarks — to symbolize navigation and discovery.

Doing so aligned perfectly with America’s Wildlife Refuges’ mission: to guide and protect nature enthusiasts.

Our experts also pointed out how using simple shapes and patterns for the logo can represent so much more: the sun, land, and sea. The logo encapsulates the interconnectedness of these elements, aligning with the brand’s role in safeguarding natural spaces between people and wildlife.

Best Print Design: Montara Boats by REV Branding Industries

By highlighting Montara Boats’ cutting-edge innovations and the thrill of boating, REV Branding Industries seamlessly captured the company’s industry authority in these flyers.

Featuring high-quality images of Montara boats in action and images of the company’s key members tell a story and showcase sleek designs, providing a personal touch that humanizes the brand.

Balancing these visual elements with well-placed text ensures that the flyer grabs attention, intriguing the viewer before they take a closer look.

According to our experts, placing vivid, action-packed images alongside concise, informative text achieves harmony between visual appeal and informational depth.

Best App Design: SwiftRide - E-Scooter Mobile App by Groovy Web

Swiftride’s onboarding journey stands out for its clear, direct simplicity. By focusing on the essentials (registering, locating, and riding), Groovy Web’s minimalist approach allows for a fuss-free sign-up.

Because every instruction is precise, and every action button is exactly where it should be, the app is user-friendly and appeals to everyone.

And, it doesn’t stop there. The app features a dynamic interface that highlights nearby scooters and charging stations, alongside real-time updates that prevent user frustration.

This is a standout example where expert mobile app design thinking shines: when functionality blends with user needs.

Best Packaging Design: The Honorable Distillery's Joulupukki Christmas Whiskey by VIS/N

Our experts highlighted this project for seamlessly blending local traditions and storytelling to create an authentic, charming, and creative packaging design that customers won’t soon forget.

The Joulupukki Christmas Whiskey packaging features a bold illustration by Lauri Ahonen, reimagining the original copyrighted artwork from the film Rare Exports.

Joulupukki, which translates to “Christmas Goat,” is depicted with a grim expression and horns, a nod to ancient Finnish traditions. In those days, men dressed as goats would roam neighborhoods during the holidays, searching for food and drinks — particularly leftover alcoholic beverages.

The result is a design that presents a layer of intrigue and depth, which contrasts with the typical cheerful depiction of Santa Claus today.

However, design agency VIS/N blended this contrast with elements of the modern-day Santa: the red coat, the signature white beard, and the mustache.

The Joulupukki Christmas Whiskey packaging also perfectly represents the brand’s artisanal nature with handcrafted canoe illustrations, striking a deep connection to Michigan’s regional heritage.

Best Video Design: Frido Video Advertisement by Smoking Chimney

The Frido video ad is more than just a story about a father and a son. By framing it as a quiet companion to life’s most meaningful connections, Smoking Chimney created a video that feels genuine and relatable.

Through expert video editing skills, each scene builds on the last: running from playful childhood moments to reflective experiences in adulthood. The clever storytelling device allows viewers to travel through time naturally, immersing themselves in the bond between father and son.

Using subtle visual cues instead of overt exposition expertly communicates the passage of time, ensuring that the bond between the two remains intact while creating a mood that amplifies the video’s emotional depth.

Since its inception, the DesignRush Best Design Awards have emphasized the importance of highlighting innovative and outstanding designs.

Doing so offers some valuable insights into evolving marketing strategies and best practices, influencing not only the way designers and agencies create impactful work but also how brands choose to tell their stories to the world.

Congratulations to all the winners, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of 2025 has in store.