The MUSE Design Awards is an international design competition dedicated to recognizing excellent and original design work from across the globe. With a mission to honor, celebrate, and elevate outstanding design innovators, MUSE also serves as a key stage to unveil up-and-coming stars in Architecture, Interior, Product, Landscape, Lighting, Furniture and Fashion Design worldwide.
Established by the International Awards Associate (IAA) in 2015, the award aims to push the boundaries of what is possible, inspiring others to further elevate the standards of the design world. Beyond just honors, the MUSE Design Awards offers unparalleled exposure for award-winning designers, artists, architects, brands, and design agencies, highlighting their market-leading position and expertise in the industry.
2026 MUSE Theme
Crowning Achievements
A Celebration of Triumph, A Coronation of Brilliance
Crowning Achievements reflects the journey of every creator who dares to imagine, design, and deliver the extraordinary. It is a celebration of defining moments — where ambition turns into success, and innovation transforms into recognition.
The 2026 MUSE Awards honors these milestones, with each triumph standing as a crown — placed not just upon creativity, but upon the individuals and teams whose brilliance shapes the global creative landscape.
Categories:
MUSE Design Awards Categories are divided into 10 award programs – architectural design, interior design, product design, fashion design, transportation design, packaging design, furniture design, conceptual design, lighting design and landscape design.
Eligibility:
The MUSE Design Awards is open worldwide to:
Advertising Agencies, Architects, Builders, Brand / Business Owner, Car Designers, Creative Boutiques, Design firms, Engineers, Fashion Designers, Freelance Professionals, Furniture Design, Graphic Designers, In-house Marketing, Interactive Agencies, Interior Designers, Landscape Designers, Product Designers, Students, and anyone aged 18 and above residing anywhere in the world.
Submission Requirements:
- Entries must be produced within the last FIVE (5) calendar years up through the final deadline.
- All entries must be submitted for judging exactly as published or implemented and may not be modified for the competition. The MUSE Design Awards may request proof of initial production and/or publication date.
- The award reserves the right to re-categorize incorrectly classified entries.
- Judges reserve the right to withhold an award in a category if submissions do not meet their expectations.
Entry Brief:
It is recommended that you keep your synopsis to approximately 350 words. We suggest you utilize this section of your entry to elaborate on the piece as well as the creativity and originality of your idea. The brief should strengthen your entry, as well as providing the jury a better understanding of your project. A written translation or adaptation must accompany non-English entries.
Image Submission:
- The submissions should be saved in a flattened JPEG or JPG format. (keep them under 4MB, 1,200px wide is preferable, 300dpi, RGB).
2026 Entry Deadline & Fees:
Early Bird: Oct 16 - Nov 13, 2025 ($209)
Regular: Nov 14 - Dec 11, 2025 ($219)
Final: Dec 12, 2025 - Jan 15, 2026 ($239)
Final Extension: Jan 16 - Feb 12, 2026 ($249)
Last Minute: Feb 13 - Mar 26, 2026 ($269)
Results Announcement: Apr 10, 2026
Winning Level:
There are FOUR (4) levels of achievement in the competition:
- Design of the Year
- Platinum MUSE (85-100 points)
- Gold MUSE (70-84 points)
- Silver MUSE (50-69 points)
Judging:
Judging is blind. All entrant information is removed from entries to prevent bias/conflict of interest.
Judges are senior-level, experienced in their field/industry, including creative designers and art directors from international agencies, architects, fashion designers, interior designers, product designers, educators, marketers or business owners. Judges are selected based on experience, credibility and availability.
Evaluation Criteria:
Judges score on a scale of 1-100, based on the below criteria:
- Creativity / Originality / Concept / Idea
- Content / Brief / Objective / Planning / Execution
- Innovation / Technology
- Quality / Functionality / Sustainability
- Overall Impression / Wow! Factor / Memorable
The MUSE Design Awards and International Awards Associate’s decision are final in its sole discretion and binding in relation to all matters relating to Competitions and may not be subject to any discussions or correspondence.
Results Announcement:
All winners for 2026 will be announced on April 10, 2026 via MUSE Design Awards official page. All registered participants can then login to see the winning entries.
Prizes:
- The Design of the Year winners receive a complimentary limited-edition trophy and professionally designed certificate.
- One professionally designed certificate commemorating the winning entry, which includes entry title, entering company/winners' name and category. Decal will be affixed indicating the level of win.
- Top tier (Platinum and Gold) winners will be featured on MUSE Design Awards site's Gallery, where professionals can view your work.
- Professionally designed logos for use on websites, in email signatures, etc.
- Platinum and Gold winners will get featured by MUSE on social media or our media partner on Muse.World’s website.
2026 MUSE Design Awards is calling for entries now. Step into your Crowning Achievement — submit your work and let your brilliance be recognized on the world stage. Join us today!
