2026 Tokyo Design Awards
2026 Tokyo Design Awards is now open for entries!
The Tokyo Design Awards, recently opend for entries, organised by International Awards Associate Inc (IAA) for the the first time announce the collaboration with The Lumis, inspired by the story of Kira and the return of the Tokyo Spark, honors outstanding design, visionary ideas, and the brilliant individuals behind them.
Short description
The Tokyo Design Awards, organised by International Awards Associate Inc (IAA) this time proudly introduces its first official collaboration with The Lumis - creative companions brought to life to celebrate the imagination and diversity of design. This milestone strengthens the awards’ mission of honoring excellence while unveiling the Lumis as lasting emblems of creativity.
Inspired by the story of Kira and the return of the Tokyo Spark, the Tokyo Design Awards honors outstanding design, visionary ideas, and the brilliant individuals behind them.
Through this collaboration, the okyo Design Awards unites designers worldwide, where every entry becomes part of a collective story, guided by the Lumis and inspired by the expanding horizons of design.
The Lumis are more than mascots. Each brings its own spark, and together, they transform the awards into something bigger than a competition. Your design is their spark. Be part of their journey, and unfold your story with the Lumis.
Driven by imagination, originality, and forward-thinking ideas, this prestigious international design competition honors designers, studios, and creative professionals who are transforming the way we live, move, and experience the world through exceptional design.
In its inaugural year, the Tokyo Design Awards welcomes participants from all backgrounds to help shape a new legacy in global design. From Architectural Design, Interior Design, and Product Design to the exciting new Character & Pop Design category, the awards spotlight work that inspires, connects, and drives innovation across disciplines.
Organiser invites designers, studios, and creative professionals from around the world to submit work that redefines how we live, move, and experience the world through design. From breakthrough concepts to legacy-defining achievements, this is where exceptional design — and the minds behind it — are seen, evaluated, and celebrated.
The Tokyo Design Awards celebrates global excellence across a wide range of design disciplines, including architecture, interior design, product design, packaging, furniture, lighting, transportation, conceptual design, and more. The program also features exclusive categories that recognize individual designers, emerging talents, and creative professionals for their innovation and impact on the design industry.
This year’s highlights include the debut of the Character & Pop Design category — honoring collectible, story-driven, and personality-based creations — and the introduction of Emerging Designer Categories, which spotlight bold, unconventional approaches shaping the future of design. The prestigious Honorary Designer category recognizes individuals whose contributions have made a significant impact on the global creative community.
There are FIVE (5) levels of achievement in the competition:
➜ Design of the Year
➜ Designer of the Year
➜ Platinum Winner (85-100 points)
➜ Gold Winner (70-84 points)
➜ Silver Winner (50-69 points)
At the heart of the Tokyo Design Awards is a distinguished panel of jurors — globally respected leaders in architecture, interior design, product innovation, visual communication, and other key creative fields. Carefully selected for their industry expertise, global influence, and unwavering commitment to design excellence, these experts ensure that each submission is reviewed with fairness, depth, and a keen eye for originality and impact.
Results will be anounced on May 8, 2026.
Submission requirements:
➜ Entries must be produced within the last FIVE (5) calendar years up through the final deadline.
➜ All entries must be submitted for judging exactly as published or implemented and may not be modified for the competition. The 2024 MUSE Design Awards may request proof of initial production and/or publication date.
Entry Brief:
It is recommended that you keep your synopsis to approximately 350 words. Organiser suggests you utilize this section of your entry to elaborate on the piece as well as the creativity and originality of your idea. The brief should strengthen your entry, as well as providing the jury a better understanding of your project. A written translation or adaptation must accompany non-English entries.
Image Submission:
- The submissions should be saved in a flattened JPEG or JPG format. (keep them under 4MB, 1,200px wide is preferable, 300dpi, RGB).
Who may enter?
The Tokyo Design Awards welcomes entries from a diverse range of global talent including architects, interior designers, product designers, packaging designers, lighting designers, furniture designers, and transportation designers. Submissions are also open to creative agencies, brands, freelancers, emerging creators, and independent professionals from any country or background.
Prize:
Only ONE highest scoring entry from each main category will be recognized as the Architectural / Interior / Packaging / Product / Furniture / Lighting / Transportation / Landscape / Conceptual / Character & Pop Design of the Year.
The number of awards presented by Tokyo Design Awards is determined by the number of submissions in a given category, the scoring range, and the number of tie scores.
Prizes and Benefits:
➜ Dedicated Social Media Post
➜ Winner’s Interview
➜ Dedicated Winner’s Profile / Page
➜ Press Release Template
➜ Exclusive Physical & Digital Certificates
➜ Winner Badge
➜ Life-time marketing materials for use
Entry fees:
Early Bird Entry (Oct 23 - Nov 26, 2025) starts from $209 for first entry of work. After that period ends the amount of fee will increse.
