2026 Rome Design Awards Season 2

The Rome Design Awards is an international design competition organised by the International Awards Associate (IAA), celebrating design excellence defined by elegance, innovation, and enduring appeal.

Inspired by Italy's globally recognised design heritage, the award honours architects, designers, studios, brands, and creative professionals whose work demonstrates refined aesthetics, thoughtful craftsmanship, and lasting influence across the international design landscape.

Recognising that exceptional design extends beyond trends, the Rome Design Awards celebrates projects that successfully balance contemporary innovation with timeless design principles. From architecture and interiors to products, furniture, lighting, packaging, and visual communication, the competition highlights work that elevates everyday experiences through beauty, functionality, and purposeful design.

Categories

The competition welcomes submissions across a diverse range of design disciplines, including:

Architectural Design
Interior Design
Product Design
Furniture Design
Lighting Design
Packaging Design

The award is open to designers, architects, studios, agencies, companies, and students from around the world.

Eligibility & Entry Process

Eligible entries must have been created, produced, published, or launched within the competition's eligibility period (created after 1 January 2022, within a five-year eligibility window).

Submissions are completed entirely online and may include entry descriptions, visual materials, and supporting documentation that best communicate the design concept, execution, and impact of the work.

Key Deadlines

Early Bird Deadline: 12 Jun - 16 Jul 2026

Regular Deadline: 17 Jul - 21 Aug 2026

Final Deadline: 22 Aug - 30 Sep 2026

Final Extension Deadline: 1 Oct - 29 Oct 2026

Last Minute Deadline: 30 Oct - 27 Nov 2026

Results Announcement: 11 Dec 2026

Judging Process

All entries are evaluated through a blind judging process by an international panel of architects, designers, creative directors, academics, and industry leaders.

Projects are assessed on:

Design Excellence
Creativity & Originality
Innovation
Functionality
Aesthetic Quality
Overall Impact

This impartial evaluation process ensures that every submission is judged solely on the merit of the work itself.

Awards & Recognition

The competition presents distinctions including:

Design of the Year
Platinum Winner
Gold Winner
Silver Winner

Winning entries receive international recognition through the Rome Design Awards winners gallery, editorial features, digital showcases, press releases, and global media exposure across IAA platforms and partner channels.

The Rome Design Awards continues to celebrate designers and organisations whose work demonstrates the power of thoughtful design to create lasting value, cultural significance, and meaningful experiences.