Those of you who’ve been reading We Heart for some time will already be familiar with the A’ Design Award. It’s a competition we’ve partnered with for many years, and one we genuinely enjoy shouting about; mainly as time and time again it brings truly good design to the surface, giving it the visibility it deserves. And so here we are, back in 2026 with another call for entries, and yes, this is your sign to submit that project that makes you proud.
The A’ Design Award & Competition exists to celebrate designers, entrepreneurs, studios, brands, and innovators who care about how things look, work, and exist in the world. A global platform, it’s designed to connect winning work with press, publishers, buyers, and a much wider audience. If recognition, credibility, and long-term exposure matter to you, this competition is one worth paying attention to.
Bamboo Mountains River and Moon Wedding Scene by Wei Zhang,
Winner in Event and Happening Design Category, 2022—2023.
Wheat Field Moonlight Sonata Mooncake Packaging by Gao Gongxuan and Liu Qidong, Winner in Packaging Design Category, 2023—2024.
Jinlongquan Beer Gift Box by Jin Zhang, Winner in Packaging Design Category, 2022—2023.
With close to 200 categories and many more subcategories, the awards cover a vast spectrum of creative practice. For our readers, standouts typically include the A’ Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award; A’ Fashion and Travel Accessories Design Award; A’ Futuristic Design Award; A’ Accessibility, Assistive Technologies, and Inclusive Design Award; A’ Industrial Design Award and A’ Packaging Design Award.
However, if your discipline sits elsewhere, you’re still almost guaranteed to find a category to suit your niche, even if that comprises of the less ‘traditional’, this year seeing awards handed out for Legwear, Pantyhose and Hosiery Design; Actor, Talent and Model Design; and Adult Toys and Products Design, which proudly celebrates the artistry and innovation in the world of adult playthings.
One of the reasons designers return to A’ Design Award year after year is the depth of what winners receive. Benefits include international exhibitions, inclusion in the annual yearbook, global PR and media exposure, placement in the World Design Rankings, professional press release support, invitation to the gala night and awards ceremony in Italy, networking opportunities with fellow winners and industry leaders, jury feedback, and long-term online visibility through A’ Design Award platforms.
Entries are judged by an international jury panel of scholars, professionals, and media members, using a peer-review system with anonymous evaluation, something we’ve always loved and respected about the process.
The deadline for submissions is 28 February, with results announced publicly 1 May. As always, we’ll be sharing selected winners and highlights here on We Heart when the results land.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and be a part of this design Mecca, you can register your design at competition.adesignaward.com, and all that’s left for us to do is wish you a huge big luck, and hope to see your winning designs on these very pages, very soon.
Shuffle Bar and Lounge by Nikki Ho Lk, Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category, 2022—2023.
Yibai Restaurant Interior Design by Axin Chen,
Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category, 2023—2024.
The Bevel Sofa by Sara Hayat,
Winner in Furniture Design Category, 2021—2022.
Nanhua Glimmer Public Landscape by Atelier Let’s and Jr Architects, Winner in Landscape Planning and Garden Design Category, 2021—2022.
Rice Wine Town Reception Room Cultural Exhibition by Wei Zhang and Kesuo Wu-Gad, Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category, 2021—2022.
Xuxuwear Clothing Store by Tingyu Huang;
Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category, 2020—2021.
Fusing With Nature Office Design by Db and B Pte Ltd, Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category, 2021—2022.
Ungrey Private Apartment in Mumbai by Prashant Chauhan, Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category, 2021—2022.
Chengdu Gift Retail Space by Hong Li,
Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category, 2019 – 2020.
Muse Conceptual Exhibtion by Michelle Poon; Winner in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Category, 2020—2021.
Night Tales Costume and Fashion by Feiyang Zhang; Winner in Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Category, 2020—2021.
