Tokyo Design Awards: Recognizing Global Design Excellence and the Future of Creativity
In the heart of a city where tradition meets innovation, the Tokyo Design Awards celebrates creativity across diverse design disciplines — honoring the brilliant minds redefining the way we live, move, and experience the world.
This international competition brings together leading designers, studios, and creative professionals on a global platform that connects visionaries across industries and categories. Driven by imagination, originality, and forward-thinking ideas, it honors exceptional design that transforms daily life and inspires new perspectives.
2026 Theme — Ignite the Beginning. Design the Future.
Every breakthrough begins with a spark — an idea that challenges convention and reimagines possibility. “Ignite the Beginning. Design the Future.” celebrates this spark, spotlighting design’s power to initiate change and shape lasting impact for generations to come.
Participants are invited to submit works that embody bold beginnings and visionary futures across architecture, interiors, products, and emerging creative disciplines — igniting conversations and inspiring what comes next.
Featured Categories
The Tokyo Design Awards showcases excellence across disciplines including Architectural Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Lighting, Furniture, Packaging, Transportation, and Landscape Design.
New for 2026 is the Character & Pop Design category, highlighting collectible and narrative-driven creations, alongside the Emerging Designer and Honorary Designer categories — recognizing innovation, originality, and significant contributions to global design culture.
The Lumis Collaboration
This year marks the first collaboration between the Tokyo Design Awards and The Lumis — creative companions symbolizing imagination and diversity in design.
Each Lumis character represents a spark of creativity, transforming the awards into a shared narrative that connects creators worldwide. Together, they celebrate the boundless potential of design — where every idea becomes part of a larger story.
Eligibility & Submission
Open to professionals, studios, companies, and students from all backgrounds and countries, entries must have been produced, launched, or released on or after January 1, 2022.
Submissions include a 350-word project brief, up to 10 images (JPEG, ≤4MB), and optional supporting materials. Works involving video or motion content can be linked via YouTube, Vimeo, or Youku.
Key Deadlines
Early Bird: Oct 23 – Nov 26, 2025
Regular: Nov 27, 2025 – Jan 7, 2026
Final: Jan 8 – Feb 11, 2026
Final Extension: Feb 12 – Mar 12, 2026
Last Minute: Mar 13 – Apr 16, 2026
Results Announcement: May 8, 2026
Judging Process
Entries are evaluated blind by an international panel of architects, designers, and creative directors based on:
Creativity & Concept
Execution & Functionality
Innovation & Impact
Aesthetic & Visual Design
Memorability
For the Honorary Designer category, evaluation includes:
Professional Background and Expertise
Key Achievements
Creativity and Innovation
Industry Influence
Global Recognition
Awards & Recognition
Design of the Year (per main category)
Honorary Designer of the Year
Platinum, Gold, and Silver Winners
Winners receive a Tokyo Design Awards Statuette, customized certificate, and international media exposure through official press releases, digital showcases, and social platforms. Select Platinum and Gold winners will also be featured on Muse.World.
The 2026 Tokyo Design Awards is now open for entries. From breakthrough concepts to transformative achievements, this is where exceptional design — and the minds behind it — are seen, evaluated, and celebrated.
