2026 Tokyo Design Awards Season #2

The Tokyo Design Awards is an international competition organized by the International Awards Associate (IAA), honoring exceptional design that shapes the future of how people live, move, interact, and experience the world.

Inspired by Tokyo — a city globally recognized for its balance of tradition, precision, innovation, and experimentation — the competition celebrates contemporary design that merges cultural awareness with forward-thinking ideas across architecture, interiors, products, and emerging creative disciplines.

Bringing together designers, studios, brands, and creative professionals worldwide, the Tokyo Design Awards serves as a global platform for visionary work that pushes design beyond aesthetics — recognizing ideas that influence industries, redefine functionality, and contribute to future living.


Categories

The competition recognizes excellence across a wide range of disciplines, including:

Architectural Design
Interior Design
Product Design
Lighting Design
Furniture Design
Packaging Design
Transportation Design
Landscape Design
Conceptual & Experimental Design

The 2026 edition also features Emerging Designer and Honorary Designer distinctions, spotlighting rising creative voices and influential contributions to the global design landscape.

Eligibility & Entry Process

The Tokyo Design Awards is open to designers, agencies, companies, studios, and students from all countries and backgrounds.

Eligible entries must have been produced, launched, or released on or after January 1, 2022. Submissions are completed entirely online and include a written project brief, visual materials, and optional supporting documentation or motion content links.

Key Deadlines
Early Bird: May 8 - Jun 3, 2026
Regular: Jun 4 - Jul 1, 2026
Final: Jul 2 - Aug 5, 2026
Final Extension: Aug 6 - Sep 9, 2026
Last Minute: Sep 10 - Oct 15, 2026
Results Announcement: October 30, 2026

Judging Process

Entries are evaluated through a blind judging process by an international panel of architects, designers, creative directors, and industry professionals.

Submissions are assessed based on:

Creativity & Concept
Innovation & Impact
Execution & Functionality
Aesthetic Quality
Overall Design Excellence
Awards & Recognition

The competition presents distinctions including Design of the Year, Honorary Designer of the Year, and Platinum, Gold, and Silver awards.

Winners receive the Tokyo Design Awards statuette, personalized certificates, and international recognition through editorial showcases, global announcements, press releases, and digital exposure across IAA platforms and partner media channels.

Season 2 of the 2026 Tokyo Design Awards is now open for entries, continuing its mission to recognize design that bridges culture, technology, craftsmanship, and future living.