Eight months ago, The Watercraft Journal reported on BRP, Inc’s continued regional expansion as the new Design & Innovation Center in Palm Bay, Florida opened its doors.
Thanks to an investment of more than $15 million into the new facility , the Center provides R&D support for the Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo and Lynx power sport brand family, and was tasked with providing design advancements across the marine industry. As we reported at the time, the opening of the center was part of the company’s ongoing focus on design innovations – innovations that had just recently earned BRP five prestigious Red Dot awards.
Often referred to as the “Oscars of Design,” the award gives recognition to the best in product design and design concepts.
Clearly, BRP has not been resting on those laurels; equally clear is the fact that history does, in deed, repeat itself, as BRP Design & Innovation Team has been announced as the Red Dot Design Team of the Year 2025
Awarded annually since 1988, the honorary title “Red Dot: Design Team of the Year” is presented as part of the Red Dot Award: Product Design to a team that consistently exhibits outstanding innovation, creativity, and exceptional design quality. This honorary title recognizes a company’s overall design achievements and highlights the collaborative efforts of the design team. Awarded teams showcase a deep commitment to innovation, user-focused design, and sustainability principles. The recognition is unparalleled in the design world, with its prestige reaching far beyond the traditional design community.
Speaking on the honor of BRP Inc. being designated the 2025 Design Team of the Year, Denys Lapointe, Chief Design Officer at BRP, stated, “Our design philosophy is to create highly innovative, functional, and exciting products to exceed consumers’ needs. It’s about creating a WOW factor.”
Lapointe, who is celebrating his 40th year with BRP, added, “I have the privilege of leading a team of 135 multidisciplinary design experts representing 21 countries, and they are a daily source of pride and inspiration. What makes our team exceptional is not just the talent but the way we push each other to grow and improve every single day. I’m still learning, still growing, and I get to do it alongside people who share the same deep belief that design can change the world. This recognition means the world to my team and me – it’s a highlight of our careers.”
You can read the full press release below:
Progress through movement – BRP Design & Innovation Team is Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2025
BRP, a global leader in powersports products, propulsion systems and boats, has been awarded the prestigious title “Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2025”. The title recognises BRP’s longstanding commitment to innovative and solution-driven design, and its pursuit of creating the ultimate, well balanced consumer experience.
With a reputation for reimagining adventure across asphalt, dirt, water, and snow, BRP has consistently pushed the boundaries of design, technology and performance. Its products blend functionality with striking design, delivering both high performance and powerful emotional experiences for riders.
Since its founding over 80 years ago, BRP has evolved from a snowmobile pioneer into a global force in powersports and recreational vehicles, with an extensive portfolio including iconic brands such as Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Can-Am and Rotax. Each product launch reflects a deep commitment to innovation and a distinctive design language that challenges convention.
Ski-Doo MXZ XRS, Red Dot winner 2023
Having earned multiple distinctions in the Red Dot Design Award across a diverse range of vehicles like the Sea-Doo personal watercraft and the Can-Am on-road and off-road models, BRP now joins a prestigious group of design leaders – including Ferrari, Logitech and Thule – in the Red Dot Hall of Fame. The honorary title is not open to application and is awarded only to companies that demonstrate long-term, consistent excellence across their entire design portfolio.
A legacy of creativity and innovation
BRP’s success is deeply rooted in its focus on user-centred design, technological advancement, and an unwavering dedication to rider experience. “Our design philosophy is to create highly innovative, functional, and exciting products to exceed consumers’ needs. It’s about creating a WOW factor”, says Denys Lapointe, Chief Design Officer at BRP, who this year celebrates 40 years with the company. “I have the privilege of leading a team of 135 multidisciplinary design experts representing 21 countries, and they are a daily source of pride and inspiration. What makes our team exceptional is not just the talent but the way we push each other to grow and improve every single day. I’m still learning, still growing, and I get to do it alongside people who share the same deep belief that design can change the world. This recognition means the world to my team and me – it’s a highlight of our careers.” BRP’s design studios in Canada, France, and the United States serve as creative hubs where cross-cultural ideas and expertise come together to shape the future of powersports.
Designing for the future
At BRP, design goes beyond aesthetics – it is about solving problems, redefining what’s possible, and crafting products that connect with people emotionally. With boldness, precision, and a clear identity, BRP’s designs resonate across all terrains – from snowy landscapes to open waters.
BRP is also looking ahead, embracing sustainability, electrification, and smart technology. Design has become a strategic driver of growth and innovation. “Design is a core function at BRP. It’s part of our DNA,” Lapointe adds. “It played an instrumental role in our growth over the years and allowed us to stand out and forge a reputation for being trailblazers.”
This latest recognition marks not just a milestone but a motivator for the future. With a legacy built on curiosity, creativity, and a love for adventure, BRP remains dedicated to building products that inspire, empower, and excite riders across the globe.
Sea-Doo Explorer Pro, Red Dot winner 2023
Professor Dr. Peter Zec, founder and CEO of Red Dot, praises BRP’s unique contribution to the industry:
“With a clear user-centric design philosophy, the BRP Design & Innovation Team has been developing outstanding recreational vehicles for years – innovative, functional and emotionally inspiring. Under the long-standing leadership of Denys Lapointe, BRP has cultivated a design culture that runs deep within the company, making BRP an industry leader. The title ‘Red Dot: Design Team of the Year 2025’ recognises this continuous excellence. Congratulations to Denys Lapointe and the entire team on this well-deserved honorary title!”
Red Dot: Design Team of the Year
Awarded annually since 1988, the honorary title “Red Dot: Design Team of the Year” is presented as part of the Red Dot Award: Product Design to a team that consistently exhibits outstanding innovation, creativity, and exceptional design quality. This honorary title recognises a company’s overall design achievements and highlights the collaborative efforts of the design team. Awarded teams showcase a deep commitment to innovation, user-focused design, and sustainability principles. The recognition is unparalleled in the design world, with its prestige reaching far beyond the traditional design community.
Hall of Fame: all winning design teams since 1988
2025 BRP Design & Innovation Team
2024 Thule Design Team
2023 Logitech Design
2022 Philips Experience Design Team led by Sean Carney
2021 Studio F. A. Porsche
2020 Fiskars Design Team led by Petteri Masalin
2019 Flavio Manzoni & Ferrari Design Team
2018 Phoenix Design Team
2017 Canyon Design Team
2016 Blackmagic Industrial Design Team led by Simon Kidd
2015 Robert Sachon & Bosch Home Appliances Design Team
2014 Veryday
2013 Lenovo Design & User Experience Team
2012 Michael Mauer & Style Porsche
2011 The Grohe Design Team led by Paul Flowers
2010 Stephan Niehaus & Hilti Design Team
2009 Susan Perkins & Tupperware World Wide Design Team
2008 Michael Laude & Bose Design Team
2007 Chris Bangle & Design Team BMW Group
2006 LG Corporate Design Center
2005 Adidas Design Team
2004 Pininfarina Design Team
2003 Nokia Design Team
2002 Apple Industrial Design Team
2001 Festo Design Team
2000 Sony Design Team
1999 Audi Design Team
1998 Philips Design Team
1997 Michele De Lucchi Design Team
1996 Bill Moggridge & Ideo Design Team
1995 Herbert Schultes & Siemens Design Team
1994 Bruno Sacco & Mercedes-Benz Design Team
1993 Hartmut Esslinger & Frogdesign
1992 Alexander Neumeister & Neumeister Design
1991 Reiner Moll & Partner & .molldesign
1990 Slany Design Team
1989 Braun Design Team
1988 Leybold AG Design Team
