Seeking to compile the most interesting designs, prototypes and designers in the world today, this year's shortlist includes such diverse projects as Renzo Piano's The Shard skyscraper, Heatherwick Studio's Olympic Cauldron, Louis Kahn's Four Freedoms Park, and Random International's Rain Room at the Barbican.
The nominations also include several prototypes, with a focus on socially conscious design — such as a fully foldable wheelchair by Vitamins Design —, while simultaneously keeping track of fundamental technological advancements — with such nominations as the new Makerbot Replicator 2, and Microsoft's Windows phone 8.
The full list of nominations can be seen at the Design Museum's website.