Packed into this issue are this year's superlative examples of forward-thinking design in the worlds of architecture, art, beauty, fashion, interiors, tech and travel – as always, a measured mix of the zeitgeisty and the downright quirky, made vital by the extraordinary minds of those who help bring them into being. We also give special attention in four cross-disciplinary categories: Best Launch, and City, Designer and Life-enhancer of the Year. These categories underline the central role that innovation, imagination and inspiration play in our lives: here, we honour the London institution that's rethinking the museum model; the US city riding high on a fresh wave of regeneration; the Montreal-born multi-hyphenate behind some of the world's most spectacular cultural moments; and a traditional Finnish island sauna with a contemporary twist.