IBD | What are the award categories?

Accessible Design
Projects that put accessibility front and center, whether packaging, products, or spaces

Advertising and Marketing Design
Ads and marketing campaigns across all mediums in service of a product, cause, or brand

Architectural Design
Achievements across the built environment large or small

Artificial Intelligence Design
Systems, platforms, and UIs that leverage algorithms (machine learning and AI) to create media, shape products, and alter behaviors to positively redefine the way we live

Data Design
Projects that harness the power of data to create better experiences for users, whether it’s an algorithm, a visualization, or an interface

Experience Design
Spaces, systems, or products that deliver an innovative and compelling user experience

Experimental and Conceptual Design
Concepts, prototypes, and pioneering designs intended to push the boundaries of what’s possible in an industry and excite the imagination

Fashion and Beauty Design
Products, environments, and services that reflect—and enhance—who we are and what we wear

Graphic Design and Branding
Visual design across genres and mediums that has social, cultural, or business impact

Health and Wellness Design
Products, services, and environments designed to improve people’s health and solve problems in the healthcare industry

Interior Design and Home
Accomplishments indoors, ranging from new furniture and fixtures to the design of complete interior spaces and environments for better living

Materials and Biodesign
Material innovations and biological processes that lead to greener, better products

Product Design
Hardware and industrial design geared toward mass consumers and niche markets

Students
Innovative design work created while attending either an undergraduate or a graduate program, or within a year of graduation

Sustainability and Circular Design
Projects that use inventive design to meaningfully reduce harm to the environment

Urban Design
Built projects that improve cities and neighborhoods, including architecture, landscapes, civic design, apps, and platforms

UX Design
User interfaces and other designs that consider a user’s journey, from beginning to end, digitally or physically

Transportation Design
Projects that dramatically improve how we get around, including vehicles, public transit, and personal mobility solutions

Design Company of the Year
The most innovative design company of the year. Companies will be judged on the quality, breadth, and ambition of their submitted work

General Excellence
The most innovative contemporary designs with no specific category restrictions

Best Design Asia-Pacific
The most innovative designs overall in the Asia-Pacific region

Best Design Europe, Middle East, and Africa
The most innovative designs overall in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

Best Design Latin America
The most innovative designs overall in Latin America

Best Design North America
The most innovative designs overall in North America

On the Rise: 0–4 Years in Business
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have been in business less than 4 years

Established Excellence: 5–14 Years in Business
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have been in business between 5 and 14 years

Enduring Impact: 15+ Years in Business
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have been in business more than 15 years

Small and Mighty
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have fewer than 100 employees

Midsize Business
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have between 100 and 999 employees

Large Business
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have 1,000 or more employees