As one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world, the A’ Design Award & Competition recognizes and uplifts some of the very best in creativity and innovation above a sea of ideas that stay within a mold. Don’t be intimidated by the word “prestigious,” though—the international prize welcomes works from brands and creatives spanning disciplines and experience levels.
With a drive to be fair and ethical, the A’ Design Award offers an inclusive and global stage for thinkers and creators who can demonstrate how the world can be enhanced through meaningful design, no matter their backgrounds. Whether you’re a veteran creative or are making your first foray, you can rest assured there’s a place for you.
And there’s an opening now. The competition is now accepting entries for its 2023–2024 round, so act fast while the momentum’s high.
Among the numerous categories celebrated by the award are Graphics and Visual Communication Design; Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design; Architecture, Building and Structure Design; Packaging DesignFuturistic Design; and Social Design. You can check out all 100 accepted disciplines here.
Laureates won’t just receive recognition and credibility for their ideas, but also the reputed A’ Design Award trophy, networking opportunities, inclusion in the World Design Rankings, free physical and online space allocation in the winner’s galleries, publicity from press outlets around the world, lifelong licensing of the A’ Design Award logo to carry their status forward, gala-night tickets for the award ceremony, and a kit to learn how to make the most out of their new prestige.
Projects and concepts will be judged by an international jury panel of academics, fellow designers and industry experts, and press members, who will devote weeks into surfacing prominent designs.
Register now, as the window for regular submissions will soon close on September 30. DesignTAXI will announce the winners on April 15, 2024.
For a dose of inspiration, check out some winning works below. You can find out more about the A’ Design Award here.
Mobius Chair
by William Ridley-Smith
“The Mobius Chair was inspired by the beauty and complexity of mathematics,” describes William Ridley-Smith. “The Mobius strip is a mathematical object of most unique physical and mathematical qualities, constructed with only a single side and a single edge. These qualities have been utilized in the Mobius Chair to create an intriguing, timeless piece.”
Mobius Chair by William Ridley-Smith
“The bold design is an embodiment of infinity, creating a feeling of fluidity, of never-ending movement. Its unique shape and structure allow this piece to blend form and function, creating a comfortable piece that may also serve as work of art.”
Mobius Chair by William Ridley-Smith
River Cloud Outdoor Landscape
by Shang Cai
Clouds symbolize “a spiritual realm of randomness, freedom, harmony, and detachment,” says Shang Cai, and this large-scale sculpture emanates those elements. “Through the interaction of clouds, water, and smoke in the environment, a beautiful space is created.”
River Cloud Outdoor Landscape by Shang Cai
River Cloud Outdoor Landscape by Shang Cai
River Cloud Outdoor Landscape by Shang Cai
Scacco Matto Portable Lamp
by Francesco Cappuccio
“Taking inspiration from the 1960s radical design movement, the project attempts to blur the boundaries between art and design and encourages audacious investigations of color, texture, and form. The five possible combinations are reminiscent of chess, hence the name Scacco Matto, the Italian translation of checkmate,” says Francesco Cappuccio.
Scacco Matto Portable Lamp by Francesco Cappuccio
Scacco Matto Portable Lamp by Francesco Cappuccio
Scacco Matto Portable Lamp by Francesco Cappuccio
Monmono Blue Restaurant and Gallery
by Alvan Suen
“What if the city were built with only one color?” ponders Alvan Suen. “Monmono is a restaurant, a gallery, and an art piece… expressing [an] obsession with monochrome. The entire shop is fully finished in blue.”
Monmono Blue Restaurant and Gallery by Alvan Suen
Its retro appearance, splashed in a single moody hue, and reflecting different eras and styles, conjures a “mysterious, calm, and elegant” air.
Monmono Blue Restaurant and Gallery by Alvan Suen
Monmono Blue Restaurant and Gallery by Alvan Suen
Monmono Blue Restaurant and Gallery by Alvan Suen
Taboo Biodegradable Chair
by Ji Qi and Donghang Wang
Inspired by “the human female pelvis,” this chair by Ji Qi and Donghang Wang is crafted from “a special non-fire clay” that “can completely degrade to organic fertilizer within two years in an industrial landfill environment,” while retaining a structural integrity “comparable to ABS plastic.” The design is “topologically optimized” to handle up to 100kg (220 lbs) of longitudinal force.
Taboo Biodegradable Chair by Ji Qi and Donghang Wang
Taboo Biodegradable Chair by Ji Qi and Donghang Wang
Insight Pendant Lamp
by Alexey Danilin
“The very name of the collection tells us a lot about the mysteries this luminaire hides,” notes Alexey Danilin.
Insight Pendant Lamp by Alexey Danilin
“[The] pendant lamp can be used as accent lighting in a room. The unique swivel mechanism allows you to adjust the direction and angle of the light output.”
Insight Pendant Lamp by Alexey Danilin
Insight Pendant Lamp by Alexey Danilin
Fushan Ecological Greenway Design
by Tengyuan Design
Drawing from pinecones found on the surrounding mountainous region, this unwinding footpath is envisioned to “blend into nature,” akin to something that grows natively in the forest. “The shape of each floor of the structure is twisted from the hexagon, and each floor gradually decreases upward,” Tengyuan Design further details.
Fushan Ecological Greenway Design by Tengyuan Design
Fushan Ecological Greenway Design by Tengyuan Design
Fushan Ecological Greenway Design by Tengyuan Design
Fushan Ecological Greenway Design by Tengyuan Design
Shguijiu Dian Baijiu Packaging
by Liang Chen
This bottle mirrors the architecture of Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China and the third highest in the world. The futuristic, drinkable landmark is aimed at encouraging younger generations to have a taste of Baijiu, a traditional Chinese liquor, reveals Liang Chen.
Shguijiu Dian Baijiu Packaging by Liang Chen
Shguijiu Dian Baijiu Packaging by Liang Chen
Shguijiu Dian Baijiu Packaging by Liang Chen
Shguijiu Dian Baijiu Packaging by Liang Chen
Shguijiu Dian Baijiu Packaging by Liang Chen
Click Traceless Stapler
by Shaogeng Zeng and Cheng Yao
“Click is a kind of traceless stapler,” note Shaogeng Zeng and Cheng Yao. “Its main function is to bind without [creating] holes [by utilizing] reusable clips which protect [the paper’s] integrity.” To use the staplers, you insert reusable stainless steel clips into them. The fun characters they embody make them interesting additions to any classroom.
Click Traceless Stapler by Shaogeng Zeng and Cheng Yao
Click Traceless Stapler by Shaogeng Zeng and Cheng Yao
Click Traceless Stapler by Shaogeng Zeng and Cheng Yao
Click Traceless Stapler by Shaogeng Zeng and Cheng Yao
Motiva Philosophical Art
by Ronen Shilo
“In a process called visual compression, Motiva’s proprietary algorithm identifies common words within a set of quotes and overlaps them in a way that creates a unique letter grid,” explains Ronen Shilo, founder of architectural firm Motiva. “This unique grid is matched with striking artwork, printed on fine paper, and harnessed in a wooden frame. Words hidden within the grid illuminate to form meaningful statements to inspire and surprise the viewer.”
Motiva Philosophical Art by Ronen Shilo
Motiva Philosophical Art by Ronen Shilo
Motiva Philosophical Art by Ronen Shilo
Pebble Street Lighting
by Gizem Deniz Guneri Sogut
“The Pebble is a sculptural street lighting device that also operates as seating-leaning furniture—with irregular pebble-like geometry,” describes Gizem Deniz Guneri Sogut. “It recycles the sludge waste generated during the cutting of andesite stones,” which is a common type of natural stone used in construction, Sogut continues.
Pebble Street Lighting by Gizem Deniz Guneri Sogut
“The Pebble takes inspiration from nature and renders the geometry of the pebbles with an urban image. Its simply recognizable form allows for its appropriation by the urbanites. While referring to nature in geometry, its texture and materiality take root in the urban environment.”
Pebble Street Lighting by Gizem Deniz Guneri Sogut
Pebble Street Lighting by Gizem Deniz Guneri Sogut
Exlicon Multi Shape Compass and Drawing Tool
by Lee Pik Shan
Unlike the traditional compass, which “has a sharp point that can punch a hole in the paper,” the Exlicon tool uses “magnetic wings [that] can be easily attached to the base, and arms [that] can swing to draw different shapes smoothly and seamlessly” without making perforations into the paper.
Exlicon Multi Shape Compass and Drawing Tool by Lee Pik Shan
“Exlicon is created for drawing circles, ellipses, pentagrams, hexagons… [and more] with a golden ratio,” explains Lee Pik Shan. “It can precisely and accurately draw ellipses [and] circles in over 50 dimensions, and over 100 different sizes of arcs.”
Exlicon Multi Shape Compass and Drawing Tool by Lee Pik Shan
Exlicon Multi Shape Compass and Drawing Tool by Lee Pik Shan
Exlicon Multi Shape Compass and Drawing Tool by Lee Pik Shan
Lead Recycled Cork LED Lantern
by Takanori Urata
Contributing to an exhibition showcasing how design can make way for “comfortable preparedness” in the event of an emergency, Takanori Urata dreamed up this “lantern that is portable and emits a soothing light” for stressful times. “Moreover, I chose recycled cork… [from] wine bottles… [served at] restaurants in Tokyo.”
Lead Recycled Cork LED Lantern by Takanori Urata
The portable light is a beacon of “hope,” Urata details, and the gentle illumination at the tip provides “a warm glow.” The lantern is “rechargeable and compact enough to carry even in times of a disaster,” and can be used for up to 13 hours.
Lead Recycled Cork LED Lantern by Takanori Urata
Lead Recycled Cork LED Lantern by Takanori Urata
Ocean View Cat Litter Box
by Shibing Yang
“The Ocean View was created to convert a litter box into something more interesting, with a contemporary look that resembles a vacation home,”says Shibing Yang. “Referencing modern architecture, it has a minimal form with a curved roof… On one side, the user can place a small- to medium-sized plant in the specially designed box to complete the villa look, making the litter box more of eye candy in the space. It creates a nice little house within the home.”
Ocean View Cat Litter Box by Shibing Yang
Ocean View Cat Litter Box by Shibing Yang
Ocean View Cat Litter Box by Shibing Yang
Ocean View Cat Litter Box by Shibing Yang
The Collector Residential Apartment
by Hoda Lasheen
Hoda Lasheen assembled this eclectic apartment for an art collector client whose preferences are pretty maximalist. “Designed in a beautiful classical European style, this home was inspired by historical palace of princess Aisha Fahmy located by the Nile river bank in Cairo. The design had an ambiance that is enriched with the utilization of colorful textiles with various patterns. Classic cornices, silk wall panels, wall paintings and wooden flooring all resulted in an amazing fusion of design that makes that home a museum of art,” the designer remarks.
The Collector Residential Apartment by Hoda Lasheen
“More is more was the concept behind this apartment. More colors, more patterns, more textures, and more accessories. The design beautifully blends the client’s personality with all pieces of art and objects that she has acquired from travels over time,” Lasheen adds.
The Collector Residential Apartment by Hoda Lasheen
The Collector Residential Apartment by Hoda Lasheen
The Collector Residential Apartment by Hoda Lasheen
Semi Opened Residential House
by Mateusz Gornik
“The idea of the project was to create a still… unchangeable monolith, [referencing] rocks scattered in the region,” shares Mateusz Gornik.
Semi Opened Residential House by Mateusz Gornik
“Our task was to design a house that would be closed from the front and open to the private forest. A house that would use the roof as a green terrace, from which you could admire treetops and a house that frames the greenery and the surroundings so that [nature’s decorations] can be viewed from every perspective.”
Semi Opened Residential House by Mateusz Gornik
Semi Opened Residential House by Mateusz Gornik
Semi Opened Residential House by Mateusz Gornik
Semi Opened Residential House by Mateusz Gornik
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