Calling all creators, visionaries, and boundary-pushers! The A’ Design Award & Competition, Italy’s premier annual international showcase for world-class design since 2008, has officially opened its doors for the 2026–2027 edition.
Mark your calendars: the Standard Entry Deadline closes on September 30, 2026. Submitting by this date guarantees late entry fees won’t kick in while still securing a confidential preliminary evaluation. If you miss the standard window, late submissions remain open until February 28, 2027, after which final entry fees apply and preliminary scores will no longer be offered.
Global Recognition Across 196 Categories
Whether you are an independent creative, an architecture firm, or a global brand, the competition welcomes innovators from over 180 nationalities. With 196 diverse categories, there is a dedicated space for virtually every discipline—ranging from industrial and product design, architecture, and interior design to visual communication, fashion, digital products, and sustainable design. You can explore the complete list of competition categories and evaluation criteria to find the perfect fit for your work.
How the Entry Process Works
Getting started is completely free and risk-free. Designers can set up an account and enter the competition by uploading their work to receive an initial, confidential preliminary score. Obtaining this score carries no obligation to officially nominate your project.
Should you choose to proceed with a full nomination for jury evaluation, nomination fees will apply based on entry timing, entrant type, and submission method. To check rates ahead of time, simply utilize the online fee calculator.
Blind Peer Reviews & The A’ Design Prize
To maintain absolute integrity, submissions are evaluated by a prestigious international Grand Jury Panel comprising leading academics, press members, design professionals, and industry experts. Entries undergo a strict blind peer-review process where they are scored on creativity, functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and innovation.
Results will be publicly announced on May 1, 2027. Winners earn an invitation to the exclusive awards ceremony and exhibition in Italy, along with the coveted A’ Design Prize—a comprehensive PR, marketing, and publicity package designed to launch laureates onto the global stage.
Ready to make your mark on international design history? Download the official competition catalog or head straight to the A’ Design Award portal to submit your project today.
Mark your calendars: the Standard Entry Deadline
closes on September 30, 2026.