IAI Design Award Entry Guidelines

Official Document No.: IAI-2025-Rules

Release Date: November 28, 2025

Chapter 1: General Principles - Understanding IAI

Article 1: Award Mission and Vision

Organized by the Asia-Pacific Designers Federation (APDF), the IAI Design Award is one of the most internationally influential design awards in the Asia-Pacific region. We are committed to honoring designers, educational institutions, and enterprises worldwide that have made outstanding contributions in innovation, aesthetics, sustainability, and humanistic care through the competition. Our vision is to build a bridge connecting design creativity, commercial value, and social responsibility, promoting the symbiosis and development of the design industry.

Article 2: Competition Independence and Impartiality

To ensure absolute impartiality in judging, the IAI Design Award adheres to independent operation, and competition results depend solely on the quality of the works themselves. For this reason, the competition refuses commercial sponsorship interference in the evaluation process, and entry fees are an important support for maintaining the award's independent and non-profit operation.

Article 3: Innovative Competition System - Spring and Autumn Dual Seasons

The IAI Design Award adopts an innovative "Spring and Autumn Dual Season System" to fully recognize the value of design at different stages:

- Spring Season: Innovation Exploration Phase - Focuses on conceptualization, experimentation, and cutting-edge nature, encouraging bold creativity and exploration of future social issues.

- Autumn Season: Commercial Implementation Phase - Focuses on feasibility, market value, and industrial docking, highlighting design projects that have been mass-produced or implemented.

- A single project can only participate in one season within a calendar year.

Chapter 2: Entry Guidelines - How to Participate

Article 4: Eligibility

Designers, design studios, product manufacturing enterprises, educational institutions, and research institutions worldwide are eligible to participate. Entries must be original works by the participant(s) or their team.

Article 5: Entry Categories and Timeliness Requirements

Article 6: Submission Specifications

● Image Files: Resolution of 300dpi or higher, in JPEG or PNG format. Shall include real-life photos, renderings, floor plans, sections, etc., with 10-20 images recommended.

●  Video Files (if applicable): Duration no more than 5 minutes, in MP4 format, clearly demonstrating the dynamic effects of the work.

●  Text Description: Bilingual (Chinese and English) project description, clearly explaining the design concept, innovation points, and value.

Chapter 3: Evaluation Mechanism - How to Win

Article 7: Evaluation Process

1. Eligibility Pre-screening: Check the format and completeness of submission materials.

2. First-round Evaluation: Online evaluation by the Preliminary Jury.

3. Second-round Evaluation: Final evaluation of shortlisted works by the International Final Jury to determine award levels.

Article 8: Evaluation Criteria

The Jury will conduct a comprehensive assessment based on the following eight criteria:

1. Innovation 2. Functionality 3. Aesthetics 4. Sustainability

2. Technicality 6. Economy 7. Social Value 8. Emotional Resonance

Note: The two seasons have different focus areas. The Spring Season emphasizes innovation, aesthetics, and social value; the Autumn Season emphasizes functionality, technicality, and economy.

Article 9: Special Award Selection Mechanism

Some special awards (e.g., "Best Environmental Friendly Award," "Best Humanistic Care Award") are selected by the Jury through voting directly from entries in the corresponding categories. No active registration or supplementary materials are accepted. Ensure core submission materials fully demonstrate the project's outstanding value in various dimensions.

Chapter 4: Fees and Honors - Your Rights

Article 10: Entry Fee Structure

To precisely support participating entities of different scales, a differentiated pricing strategy is implemented. The fee includes the entry submission fee and (if advancing through the first round of review) the second-round review and exhibition fee.

Article 11: Winner Services

All winning works must confirm the purchase of the corresponding "Winner's Service Package" to enjoy the following benefits:

Note: The above fees are standard rates for commercial organizations. Exclusive preferential prices apply to individual designers/micro teams; winners of the IAI Academy Award are eligible for special student discounts.

Article 12 Description of Awards Ceremony Seats

●  Each winner is entitled to 1 complimentary VIP seat by default, which is included in the purchased award service package and cannot be accumulated based on the number of winning works.

●  Additional seats can be applied for subject to availability, with the following charging standards:

●  A. Commercial Organizations: RMB 2,800 per seat

●  B. Individual Designers/Micro Teams: RMB 1,680 per seat (equivalent to 40% off the standard rate)

● C. Students (Academy Award Winners): RMB 560 per seat (equivalent to 80% off the standard rate)

Chapter 5: Rights and Obligations of Participants

Article 13 Obligations of Participants

Participants agree to submit works, pay fees in accordance with the Rules, and cooperate with review and exhibition arrangements. Winners agree to disclose work information and participate in IAI winning works exhibitions and promotion activities.

Article 14 Intellectual Property Rights

All intellectual property rights of the submitted works belong to the participants. Participants grant the organizer non-exclusive rights to use their work information for review, promotion, yearbook publication, and event promotion purposes.

Chapter 6: Supplementary Provisions

Article 15 Disclaimer

The Organizing Committee shall not be liable for any loss or damage to works caused by review, exhibition, transportation processes, or force majeure.

Article 16 Interpretation and Update of the Rules

The final interpretation right of these Rules belongs to the Asia Pacific Designers Federation (APDF) and the IAI Design Awards Organizing Committee. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to adjust the Rules according to actual circumstances, and updated content will be published on the official website.

Friendly Reminders for Participants

1. Information Channel: For the most accurate information, please follow the IAI Design Awards official website at all times.

2. Early Bird Discounts: Pay close attention to the official announcement of early, regular, and late registration periods to submit your entry as soon as possible to enjoy fee discounts.

3. Material Quality: High-quality and complete submission materials are the foundation to impress the jury.

4. Contact for Inquiries:

● Official Website: www.iai-ap.org

● Email: iai-award@iai-ap.org

We look forward to your outstanding works. On the IAI stage, let's jointly define the future of design.