A phenomenon confirmed by the award's recent laureates. In 2005, Florence Doléac's winning series of installations comprised sounds and objects, designed to encourage a physical and mental process of "letting go". In 2007, the Dito collective explored the fundamentals of a shared language of forms (the basis for a collection of furniture and innovative products) – a veritable design manifesto. "We all earn a living doing other things, working for agencies or freelancing," explains Dito member Caroline Ziegler. "But in the collective, we all can express our creativity freely, with no brief." The 2009 Bourse Agora was awarded to Gilles Belley for his project: "The Organic Factory: Agromaterials".

The Fondation d’entreprise Hermès acknowledges the fundamental importance of design for creativity and innovation. The Foundation's support for the Agora Award since 2008 reflects its mission to promote new talent and encourage young designers to explore new territories.