Seoul Design Foundation is looking forward to welcoming many participants to Seoul Design Award 2026, which celebrates and supports designers with creative solutions for a better daily life.
Eligible for entry are design projects in all fields realized within 5 years by designers, groups and enterprises who contributed to a more sustainable and harmonious future between people, society and the environment.
60+ winners will be selected and awarded with monetary prizes. The total prize fund for 2026 is 150,000,000 KRW (almost $100,000).
Seoul Design Award is given to designers, organizations, or companies whose projects have contributed to a sustainable daily life that aims for a harmonious relationship between people, society and the environment.
Design Areas
- Main Award — Projects or products that are produced, launched, and available for users
- Young Designer Award — Design concept mockups, prototypes, plans, etc.
- ESG Design Impact Award — Corporate projects in sustainable design
Focus Area
- Health & Peace — Projects ensuring the health and well-being of all people and promoting sustainable peace
- Equal Opportunities (Universal Design) — Projects creating opportunities for all, such as Universal Design
- Energy & Environment (Upcycling, Recycling) — Projects for ecosystem conversation and sustainable resource management, such as upcycling
- Cities & Communities — Community-oriented projects utilizing sustainable infrastructure and innovative technologies
Award Details
There will be a total of 60+ winners, awarded with 150,000,000 KRW in prize money.
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Main Award
- Grand Prize: 1 winner / 50,000,000 KRW
- Best of the Best: 9 winners / 10,000,000 KRW (each)
- Finalist: 30 winners
- designboom Special Prize: 3 winners
-
Young Designer Award
- Best of the Best: 2 winners / 5,000,000 KRW (each)
- Finalist: 18 winners
-
ESG Design Impact Award
- Nominated by the jury
Winner Benefits
Benefits for all winners
- E-Certificate
- Permanent use of the award logo
- Global expert feedback
- Invitation to the award ceremony and networking party
- Promotion through the global “Press Day” event
- Global promotion through newsletter, social media, etc.
- Archiving on the award website
- Introduction in the Archiving Book
Additional benefits for 12 Best of the Best winners
- Total prize money of 150 million KRW
- Invitation to speak at the international Design Conference (only for the Top10 Main Award winners)
- 3-night hotel accommodation
- Partial support for round-trip arifare
Additional Benefits for 3 designboom Special Prize Winners
- Winner features on designboom
* All winners who attend the ceremony in person will receive a special trophy.
Please check the official website for further information.
No Entry Fee!
It's free to enter.