A' Design Award opens 2026 entries for Excellence in Design Awards

A' Design Award & Competition has opened submissions for its 2026 International Excellence in Design Awards, with eligible projects spanning architecture, fashion, interiors, products, graphics and more. Entries are due Sept. 30, 2026, and winners will be announced May 1, 2027.

Why it matters: - The competition gives designers, studios and brands a global platform to showcase work across multiple creative fields. - Winners receive promotional tools, media distribution and recognition that can extend the visibility of their projects beyond the awards cycle. - The program covers work completed within the last 10 years, broadening access for a wide range of established and newer projects.

What happened: - A' Design Award & Competition opened entries for the A' International Excellence in Design Awards 2026. - The call for entries is open worldwide to industrial designers, graphic designers, fashion designers, communication designers, interior designers, architectural designers, product designers, UX/UI designers, jewelry designers, automotive designers, web designers, animation artists, furniture designers, landscape architects, branding specialists, innovators, creators, makers and founders. - Eligible submissions include design projects in architecture, fashion, interiors, products, graphics and other creative disciplines. - The deadline for entries is Sept. 30, 2026. - Results will be announced May 1, 2027.

The details: - The competition runs in two phases, starting with a complimentary preliminary evaluation of submitted projects. - Projects that pass the preliminaries can move forward to nomination. - A nominal fee applies for nomination consideration. - Entries are judged anonymously by an international jury of more than 300 experts. - The jury includes designers, architects, academics, industry professionals and creative specialists. - Evaluation criteria include originality, innovation, functionality, aesthetic quality, execution, relevance and overall design excellence. - Eligible entries include design portfolios, architecture projects, fashion collections, interior concepts, innovative products, graphic works, digital experiences and multidisciplinary creations. - Sub-category descriptions are available here. - Participants can register here.

Between the lines: - The awards package is built to do more than hand out a trophy; it is designed to amplify winning work through press, rankings and exhibition exposure. - Professional-edition laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes a design excellence certificate, lifetime winner-logo license, yearbook inclusion, exhibitions in Italy, an award trophy and an invitation to the gala night, La Notte Premio A'. - Laureates also get translation of awarded works into foreign languages, entry to Prime Clubs and inclusion in World Design Rankings, Designer Rankings, Excellence Design Classifications and Design Legends platforms. - Winners receive an exclusive interview for the Designer Interviews website and press kit inclusion. - The press kit package can include design images, designer photographs, client and designer logos, high-resolution visuals and a portfolio previewing additional work. - Press kits are distributed to thousands of accredited press members, and dozens of press partners have already agreed to publish selected winning projects. - The press kit preparation and distribution service, along with the A' Design Prize, are offered free of charge to laureates.

What's next: - Designers and organizations can review past winners here. - A' Design Award & Competition said the awards aim to recognize strong creative thinking, refined execution and meaningful design value across international markets. - The company also said the program is meant to help designers, studios, brands, creators and organizations communicate achievements to a worldwide audience.

The bottom line: - The 2026 Excellence in Design Awards are now open, with a broad eligibility window, a two-step review process and a substantial promotion package for winners.