The Seoul Design Foundation said Monday it is accepting entries for the Seoul Design Award 2026 through June 30.
Now in its seventh year, the Seoul Design Award is a public global award focused on sustainable design aimed at addressing social problems. The foundation said the competition has expanded from 75 entries at its first event in 2019 to 941 projects from 74 countries in 2025, a 1,100% increase over six years.
The foundation said it has broadened the award this year by adding new categories, including a designboom special prize. The global design media outlet will judge and select three winners, who will receive global promotion opportunities, including a featured article on designboom’s platform.
A new ESG Design Impact Prize will also spotlight companies and institutions practicing sustainable design. The foundation said the category is intended to identify strong projects and show how design can serve as a practical tool for advancing ESG values.
The foundation also expanded opportunities for young designers. The existing Concept Prize has been renamed the Young Designer Prize, and participation has been widened for undergraduate and graduate students in South Korea and abroad, the foundation said.
Entries will be accepted in four categories based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Health & Peace, Equal Opportunities, Energy & Environment, and Cities & Communities.
Applications will be accepted only in English via the Seoul Design Award website from March 30 through 3 p.m. on June 30.
An awards ceremony and an international conference are scheduled for October at DDP, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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