The finalists of the Carpet Design Awards 2016 have now been named. In November, a jury nominated the best handmade designer carpets for the final round of the international competition. Presented in eight categories, the Carpet Design Awards honor the outstanding quality and design of the world's best carpets. The number of entrants was particularly high this year, with a total of 320 carpets from 21 countries submitted (2015: 250 entrants). 24 carpets have made it through to the final round and will be on display at DOMOTEX from 16 to 19 January. The categories range from studio artist, classic/traditional and modern designs to best innovation. The winners of each category will be formally announced on 17 January 2016 in the Innovations@DOMOTEX area.

The highest international accolade for modern handmade carpets will be awarded at DOMOTEX for the eleventh time. Since 2015 the competition has been held as part of Innovations@DOMOTEX. Chaired by British designer Michael Sodeau, the jury selected carpets that unite design and craftsmanship in an outstanding way. The carpets and rugs were judged on their design and design concept, material, execution, structure, quality, sustainability and branding. "Judging for the Carpet Design Awards was particularly difficult this year as there were so many high-quality entrants," said Michael Sodeau. "A trend seems to be emerging for more texture to be knotted and woven into the carpets such that they make a more physical than visual statement. The trend is more towards overall texture rather than artistic design as in the past."

In addition to Michael Sodeau, the five-strong jury comprises the New York based author and design journalist Linda O'Keeffe; Ross Urwin, the founder of Infrastructure, Hong Kong; Michael Pourvakil, the founder of Weavers Art, Toronto; and Jochen Ehresmann, head of the carpet department at Munich furniture store Böhmer.