A' Design Award & Competition 2026–2027

The A' Design Award & Competition is a large annual design award based in Italy, with more than 100 categories ranging from packaging and graphic design to products, furniture, interiors and digital work. Entries for the 2026–2027 edition are judged by an international jury, and results are announced on 15 April 2027. The late entry period closes on 28 February 2027.

The award is one of the biggest by number of entries and categories. Fees depend on several choices you make when entering, so read the conditions carefully.

Categories

The A' Design Award has more than 100 categories, covering graphics and visual communication, packaging, product and industrial design, furniture, lighting, fashion and jewellery, interior and spatial design, digital and interaction design, and more. Choose the category that fits your project most precisely.

Who Can Enter the A' Design Award?

Designers, design studios, brands and companies worldwide. Individuals pay lower fees than companies. It may suit:

• Packaging and brand designers
• Product and furniture designers
• Studios looking for international visibility for client work

Fees and Entry Methods

Registering, uploading a design and receiving a preliminary score are free. The nomination fee depends on four factors: your account type, the entry period, the entry method and whether you use the preliminary score. There are four entry methods:

• Pro Edition: the full winners' kit, including trophy, printed certificate, yearbook and exhibition
• Digital Edition: lower fees, without physical items
• Vision Edition: lower fees with a smaller set of benefits
• Classic Edition: the lowest entry fee, but winners must pay further fees

The organisers state that Pro, Digital and Vision entries carry no further fees for winners. Use the official fee calculator to see the exact price before entering.

What Do Winners Receive?

Depending on the entry method, winners can receive a trophy, a framed certificate, inclusion in the yearbook, an invitation to the gala night in Italy, a place in the winners' exhibition, a licence to use the winner logo, press releases and listings in the organisers' publications and rankings.

Is It Worth Entering?

The award has wide reach and many winners each year, which is why opinions in the design community are divided on its prestige. It can be useful for visibility, especially for packaging and product work aimed at international markets. Compare the total cost and benefits with smaller, more selective awards in your field, such as the iF Design Award or category-specific competitions.

Tips for Entering

Use the free preliminary score to test your presentation before paying. Present your project with clean, high-resolution images and a clear description of the problem, the solution and its impact. Choose the entry method carefully: the cheapest option is not always the lowest total cost.

Preparing Your Entry

Most categories ask for several high-resolution images, a short description and details of the project, such as the client, materials and launch date. The main image matters most, as jurors see many entries: show the design clearly on a clean background or in use. Write the description in plain English, explaining what the project does and why it is better than what came before. Check that you hold the rights to all images, and that client work can be entered.

Things to Consider

• Fees vary: use the calculator.
• Classic Edition has winner fees.
• Results: 15 April 2027.
• Late deadline: 28 February 2027.

Enter the Competition

Want to know more?

Visit the A' Design Award

Categories, fees and entry rules are on the official website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 2, 2026