A’ design award and competition 2026 sparks joy with playful industrial design winners

industrial design takes the a’ design award 2026 spotlight

The internationally acclaimed A’ Design Award and Competition extends its open call for submissions, inviting creatives to present their most compelling works for the upcoming judging period. The award celebrates and promotes exceptional designs across all disciplines, with a core mission to foster worldwide appreciation for innovation. The submission deadline for 2026 is February 28, with winners announced on May 1st. Among the competition’s most vibrant categories is Good Industrial Design, which celebrates objects that marry utility with aesthetic charm. A curated selection of past laureates proves that industrial design should be more than just functional; it should be joyful. These winning pieces, from playful lighting to fun homeware and clever toys, showcase the transformative power of design that sparks a smile.

Designers are encouraged to submit their own visionary creations that push creative boundaries and contribute to the evolution of the home here.

Nostalx Speaker by Yuqing Xiao, Menghai Xia and Siyu Zang

image credit: Yuqing Xiao

name: Nostalx

designers: Yuqing Xiao, Siyu Zang, Menghai Xia, Weijing Zhao, Qijun Nie

category: Digital and Electronic Device Design

award: Bronze

year: 2025

OVER 150 CATEGORIES are open to submissions

The Award’s Good Industrial Design super category is a testament to the idea that our daily objects deserve thoughtful, inspiring design. This focus allows for the recognition of products that bring delight into the domestic sphere, making life easier and more enjoyable. Beyond these product-focused categories, the A’ Design Award is open to submissions from across a wide spectrum of creative fields. Winning entries are celebrated across disciplines from architecture and fashion to communication design. Further categories are available here.

U Table Lamp by Monica Pinto de Almeida

image credit: Tiago Costa

name: U Lamp

designer: Monica Pinto de Almeida

category: Lighting Products and Fixtures Design

award: Silver

year: 2023

the perks of winning the a’ design award 2026

Winning the A’ Design Award offers more than just recognition, it provides a substantial boost to a designer’s career and brand visibility. Laureates gain unparalleled exposure through international exhibitions of their work, features in leading design publications, and inclusion in an exclusive yearbook. Winners are also invited to high-profile networking events like the award gala-night.

The extensive A’ Design Prize also encompasses inclusion in the prestigious World Design Rankings, project translations into over 100 languages, and widespread PR services. Each submission is meticulously reviewed by a distinguished Grand Jury Panel, composed of over 300 esteemed professionals, academics, and industry experts, ensuring that only the most innovative and impactful designs are recognized for their excellence and capacity to inject joy into the world.

Color Roller Furniture Set by Chuheng He

image credit: Chuheng He

name: Color Roller

designer: Chuheng He

category: Furniture Design

award: Gold

year: 2025

Hug Me Sitting by Zipeng Zhou

image credit: Zipeng Zhou

name: Hug Me

designers: Zipeng Zhou

category: Furniture Design

award: Gold

year: 2025

Altocumulus Light Lamp by Jun Wang

image credit: Jun Wang

name: Altocumulus Light

designers: Zhenghua Hu, Yuxi Mao, Jiangyang Zhao, Xin Wang and Yang Yang

category: Lighting Products and Fixtures Design

award: Bronze

year: 2023

Honey Drop Lighting by Akira Nakagomi

image credit: Takanori Urata

name: Honey Drop

designer: Akira Nakagomi

category: Lighting Products and Fixtures Design

award: Platinum

year: 2023

PIXIO Magnetic Construction Set by Ivan Khalus and Oleh Berezovskyi

image credit: PIXIO

name: PIXIO

designers: Ivan Khalus and Oleh Berezovskyi

category: Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design

award: Platinum

year: 2018

Inside Out Toy Furniture by Nao Fujimura

image credit: Nao Fujimura

name: Inside Out

designer: Nao Fujimura

category: Baby, Kids’ and Children’s Products Design

award: Bronze

year: 2025

Una Corda Piano Acoustic Piano by Davids Klavins

image credit: Davids Klavins

name: Una Corda Piano

designer: Davids Klavins

category: Musical Instruments Design

award: Silver

year: 2021

Eureka Lounge Chair by Beijing Yeak Tech Co. Ltd.

image credit: Beijing Yeak Tech Co. Ltd.

name: Eureka

designer: Huile Yi and Zulong Liu

category: Furniture Design

award: Platinum

year: 2023

Dudo Synthetic Music Enlightenment Toys by Hsin Chen Lin and Zi Yun Hsu

image credit: Hsin Chen Lin and Zi Yun Hsu

name: Dudo

designers: Hsin Chen Lin and Zi Yun Hsu

category: Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design

award: Silver

year: 2023

Scacco Matto Portable Lamp by Francesco Cappuccio

image credit: Francesco Cappuccio

name: Scacco Matto

designer: Francesco Cappuccio

category: Lighting Products and Fixtures Design

award: Silver

year: 2023

Musipple Music Player by Ziqiang He, Hao Zhang and Yunan Lin

image credit: Ziqiang He

name: Amplification of Sensation

designers: Ziqiang He, Hao Zhang, Yunan Lin, Sihong Chen and Yue Gao

category: Audio and Sound Equipment Design

award: Bronze

year: 2024

Twiny Multifunctional Sofa by Yu Ren

image credit: Yu Ren

name: Twiny

designers: Yu Ren and Nurettin Badur

category: Furniture Design

award: Silver

year: 2025

Fan Control Terminal by Hdl Automation Co., Ltd.

image credit:Hdl Automation Co., Ltd.

name: Fan

designers: Jin Huang, Wenbin Chen, Daying Gao, Dongchang Li, Xiujuan Chen, Yang Liu

category: Digital and Electronic Device Design

award: Bronze

year: 2025

Coral Scratcher Pet Toy by Hangzhou Owls Technology Co., Ltd.

image credit: Hangzhou Owls Technology Co., Ltd.

name: Coral Scratcher

designers: Jianjun Le and Yanlin Zhu

category: Pet Care, Toys, Supplies and Products for Animals Design

award: Silver

year: 2025

Imaginator Imagination Game Cards by Neringa Orlenok

image credit: Karolis Milaševičius

name: Imaginator

designer: Neringa Orlenok

category: Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design

award: Silver

year: 2022

Mila 3D Printed Vase by Industrial Design College of LAFA

image credit: Du Heli, Li Yuankai and Xue Bomu

name: Mila

designers: Du Heli, Li Yuankai and Xue Bomu

category: 3D Printed Forms and Products Design

award: Silver

year: 2023

Wobbleshroom Ankle Rehabilitative Product by Minkyu Seo

image credit: Minkyu Seo

name: Wobbleshroom

designer: Minkyu Seo

category: Sporting Goods, Fitness and Recreation Equipment Design

award: Bronze

year: 2022

Cobble Bluetooth Speaker by Eric Wu

image credit: Eric Wu

name: Cobble

designer: Eric Wu

category: Digital and Electronic Device Design

award: Iron

year: 2025

See more award-winning design here!

The post A’ design award and competition 2026 sparks joy with playful industrial design winners appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.