Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Provider
- International Competition Association (ICA)
- Deadline
- 10/27/2026
In short
The un Design Award 2026, Season 2, is an international design competition centered around the theme "The Self is the World," seeking to recognize outstanding designs and innovative talents. It offers Platinum, Gold, and Silver awards, judged on artistry, innovation, functionality, societal impact, and sustainability. Participants include architects, designers, developers, manufacturers, and clients, with separate judging for professionals and students. Winners receive an electronic certificate, winner's logo, and online display, with Best of Year recipients getting a free winner package.
un Design Award 2026 – Season 2
By International Competition Association (ICA)
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 10/27/202641 days left
The Self is the World
Theme
Undefined
Operational Philosophy
Platinum, Gold, Silver
Award Tiers
Washington, D.C., USA
Origin
Annual International Design Competition
Frequency
Overview
The un Design Award 2026, Season 2, is an annual international design competition organized by the International Competition Association (ICA). Initiated in Washington, D.C., USA, the competition aims to discover and recognize influential, outstanding designs and innovative talents globally. It operates under the theme "The Self is the World" and embraces an operational philosophy of being undefined, allowing for a broad interpretation of design excellence. The competition welcomes a diverse range of participants, including architects, designers, developers, manufacturers, and clients from around the world. Entries are judged in two distinct categories: professional entries are evaluated against other professionals, and student entries are judged against other students. This ensures fair assessment within respective experience levels. Judging criteria for all submissions are comprehensive, focusing on artistry, innovation, functionality, societal impact, and sustainability. A panel of judges meticulously evaluates each entry to provide authoritative verdicts. Awards are conferred based on the collective average scores of submissions, with Platinum, Gold, and Silver tiers. All winners receive several benefits free of charge, including an electronic certificate, a winner’s logo for various uses, and online display of their winning works. Additionally, the Best of Year in six major categories will be awarded a free winner package. Other winners have the option to customize trophies and certificates at their own expense.
Prizes
Platinum Award
Gold Award
Silver Award
Best of Year (in six major categories)
Free winner package
All Winners
Electronic certificate, winner's logo, online display of winning works. Other winners can customize trophies and certificates at own expense.
Key dates
- Early Bird Deadline2026-08-31
- Regular Deadline2026-09-30
- Final Deadline2026-10-31
- Extended Final Deadline2026-11-25
- Contest Deadline2026-11-04
- Results Announcement2026-12-15
Judging criteria
- Artistry
- Innovation
- Functionality
- Societal Impact
- Sustainability