The DBEW Award 2026 is now accepting applications, marking a significant milestone in design education by promoting a collaborative approach between students and their mentors. This groundbreaking competition moves beyond traditional individual recognition, focusing on the synergy of intergenerational teamwork as a driving force for creative solutions. Participants, ranging from undergraduates to recent graduates, are required to submit projects developed in conjunction with an educator. The award aims to cultivate a new generation of designers who prioritize sustainable impact and embrace diverse perspectives, with a total prize fund of $25,000 and the invaluable opportunity to showcase their work at renowned international design exhibitions.
Co-organized by the esteemed ADI Design Museum, known for its prestigious Compasso d'Oro, and Kookmin University, a leading design institution in Asia, the DBEW Award operates under the guiding principle of 'Design Beyond East and West.' This vision seeks to reconcile Eastern and Western aesthetic and philosophical values within the realm of design. The award's core mission is to foster the evolution of design pedagogy, preparing the next wave of creative thinkers for a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. By emphasizing a balanced and globally informed perspective, it endeavors to unearth talents capable of crafting innovative and convergent solutions.
Kyung Ran Choi, the chair of the steering committee, highlights the award's innovative structure, which recognizes teaching and learning as integral components of design collaboration. She states that the DBEW Award is the first international platform to formally acknowledge individuals who demonstrate a commitment to creative exploration, environmental stewardship, cultural equilibrium, and inclusivity. Moreover, it provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the exemplary leadership of educators who facilitate these collaborative educational endeavors, underscoring the profound impact of mentorship on the development of emerging designers.
The evaluation process is overseen by an distinguished panel of nine international experts, led by Paola Antonelli, the Senior Curator of Architecture and Design and Director of R&D at MoMA. Antonelli, recognized by TIME magazine as a leading design visionary and recipient of the Compasso d'Oro, has consistently elevated design's role in cultural and social discourse through her curatorial work and research. Her dedication to leveraging design as a tool for systemic change perfectly aligns with the DBEW Award's objectives of fostering experimental, cross-generational partnerships for a more sustainable future.
The jury's assessment focuses on six key criteria: Originality, Interdisciplinary Innovation, Relevance in the AI Era, Aesthetic Excellence, Sustainability and Social Responsibility, and Clarity of Communication. Jurors like Byoung Soo Cho emphasize the critical importance of 'sustainable value and social responsibility,' extending this to encompass both environmental and socio-cultural dimensions. He also commends the award's focus on the 'creative educational process' as a foundational element for fostering sustainable design practices. Yongqi Lou adds that the true essence of design emerges from a holistic interaction of individual creativity, humanistic depth, and cultural context, noting that in an age of rapid AI advancements, prioritizing human values and communal synergy is more crucial than ever.
The DBEW Award journey culminates in two major design centers. The official awards ceremony is scheduled for April 21, 2026, at the ADI Design Museum during Milan Design Week, initiating a dialogue that will continue in Seoul later in October. A large-scale exhibition at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), coinciding with Seoul Design Week, will then showcase the winning projects. This dual-city event underscores the award's commitment to global outreach and its belief that collaborative design processes are the ultimate measure of impactful and sustainable innovation.