6 design competitions not to be missed in 2026

Launched by the European Commission, the NEB Trophy Design Competition 2026 is intended to design the first official trophy of the New European Bauhaus Awards. The competition is open to architecture and design students aged 18 and over from the EU. The aim of the contest is to create a figurative and evocative object, such as a cup, medal or crown that embodies the values of the New Bauhaus both conceptually and physically. The teams selected for the NEB Trophy will present their work at the New European Bauhaus Festival from 9 to 13 June 2026 in Brussels, where the winning design will be revealed and presented at the Awards Ceremony in September. Organised yearly, the NEB Awards showcase projects related to the values of sustainability, beauty and inclusion by promoting community involvement. 

Deadline: 31 January 2026  
Info: NEB Trophy Design Competition 2026 and New European Bauhaus 

In the Czech Republic, the Best in Design competition organised as part of Zlin Design Week has reached its seventeenth edition. The competition offers young creatives an opportunity to present their projects to an international jury. Individuals and teams under the age of 30 can apply by submitting an unlimited number of projects no more than 2 years old. The contest includes creatives from around the world, offering an opportunity for their professional growth. There are four categories in the competition: Product & Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Communication Design, Service Design. Each category is assessed by a jury of three experts made up of leading figures in Czech and international design, as well as finalists from previous editions. 

Deadline: 1 February 2026 
Info: Best in Design  

“Ignite the Beginning. Design the Future”. This is the theme of the Tokyo Design Awards 2026,  the international competition promoted by the International Awards Associate (IAA) intended for designers, studios and professionals and which aims to emphasise the power of design in determining a turning point for future generations. Participants should present works that represent courageous beginnings and imaginary futures in the fields of architecture, interiors, product design and emerging creative disciplines. Among the various categories considered: Architecture, Interior Design, Product Design, Lighting, Furniture, Packaging, Transportation and Landscape Design. The winners will receive international exposure through digital storefronts and social platforms, as well as Kira, the statuette of the Tokyo Design Awards 2026, which represents the spark that ignites every extraordinary creation, a fundamental phase of the design process. 

Deadline: 12 March  
Info: Tokyo Design Awards 

Organised by the International Awards Associate (IAA), the NY Product Design Awards and the NY Architectural Design Awards 2026, open to architects, designers, studios from around the world, celebrate excellence in product innovation nationally and internationally. Various product categories are involved, reflecting the diversity of contemporary design disciplines: from the Automotive & Transport sectors to Furniture Design, Architecture & Interior Design and Urban Design & Planning. The theme of the NY Product Design Awards, “Innovate for Tomorrow,” evaluates innovations that combine creativity and functionality: from consumer goods to industrial and sustainable products. The motto of the NY Architectural Design Awards “Build for Tomorrow” stresses the role of architecture in shaping communities, combining beauty and sustainability. The NY Design Awards statuette, Ava, is a symbol of the transformative power of design, a metaphor for the architectural process. Draped in ivory white, it recalls the ‘blank slate’ from which all creations emerge, while its gilded accents evokes the relentless pursuit of architectural perfection 

Deadline: 18 March 2026 
Info: NY Product Design Awards e NY Architectural Design Awards  

The Africa International Design Awards (AIDA) open to professionals, students, companies, studios and collectives, honour African and international designers whose work is rooted in Africa, creating new solutions to meet the challenges of local communities. The contest is organised by 3C Awards Group, which develops platforms dedicated to the promotion of architecture and design globally. From Spatial Design to Product Design, Fashion Design and Communication Design, the AIDA Awards celebrate four fields of design. The winners will receive visibility on media platforms and the opportunity to present their idea on the international stage. Applications are accepted for projects developed in the last five years, conceptual ideas, prototypes or work already completed and in use.  

Deadline: 31 March 2026  
Info: Africa International Design Awards (AIDA) 

For over 75 years, it has been celebrating excellence and innovation in contemporary design. The Good Design Awards® are the most renowned international competition in industrial, product and graphic design, presented by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. Every year, it honours projects by designers and companies from more than 50 countries, ranging from small everyday objects to icons of history such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner or NASA spacecraft. There are various categories related to the award: from building materials to children's products, electronics, floor and wall coverings, furniture, household products, lighting, recycling and textiles. The applications are evaluated by a jury of experienced professionals in the sector by criteria ranging from innovative aesthetics to new technologies, utility, energy efficiency and sensitivity to the environment. All winning projects will be published in the Official Good Design Yearbook and presented in exhibitions and events internationally. 

Deadline: 1 June 2026 
Info: Good Design Awards®