[January 7, 2026 — Xiamen,China] Standing at the milestone of its 20th anniversary, the IAI Design Award is quietly weaving a global initiative that transcends conventional celebrations. Today, the IAI Design Award and the Asia-Pacific Designers Federation (APDF) officially announce: the "IAI 20th Anniversary International Prelude Journey," centered on "dialogue" and spanning geographical and ideological boundaries, is set to embark in early 2026.

This is not a predetermined tour, but a proactive, in-depth conversation exploring the soul of contemporary design. IAI founder Oskar Ho will personally serve as the initiator and interlocutor of this extraordinary journey.

A journey without a fixed script

"Twenty years of IAI began with communication, flourished through consensus, and will ultimately lead to broader connections," said Oskar Ho. "At this special milestone of our 20th anniversary, I believe the best celebration is not to look back at achievements, but to initiate a sincere global dialogue for the future. I will set out with questions, to listen, to collide, and to discover the key forces and potential answers that will shape the future of design."

Core Narrative: The Double Helix of In-Depth Dialogue and Open Exploration

This journey will pioneer a unique "double helix" narrative structure:

● One thread involves in-depth, closed-door dialogues with the global design elite. The journey will anchor key design hubs worldwide, engaging in intimate exchanges with IAI's international jury network, APDF members, and thought leaders to delve into the industry's most pressing issues.

● The other thread is an open exploration and documentation of urban design ecosystems. The initiators will venture into streets and alleys, uncovering independent spaces, emerging practices, and cross-disciplinary scenes that embody the pulse of urban design.

A journey driven by "questions"

Unlike conventional research trips, this journey's agenda will be driven by a series of "big questions" about the future of design. In subsequent updates, we will gradually reveal these core topics that guide the conversation. At the same time, we will also open up certain channels to invite the global design community to participate in asking questions, making the dimensions of this dialogue even more diverse.

Stay mysterious, stay tuned.

Currently, the specific itinerary and cities for the journey are still in the final confirmation stage. We have decided not to disclose the detailed schedule yet, as we want the focus to remain first and foremost on the original intent, format, and sincerity of this initiative, rather than just the geographical coordinates.

“We have set the direction but kept flexibility in how we arrive; we’ve prepared questions but look forward even more to unexpected answers,” the project team revealed. “The final form of this journey will be shaped in part by the people and encounters we have along the way. Please allow us to preserve this necessary suspense.”

More details about the "IAI 20th Anniversary International Prelude Tour," including the itinerary, dialogue themes, and participation methods, will be gradually unveiled from late January to early February 2026.

This is not just a trip—it is IAI’s invitation to the global design community for dialogue on its 20th anniversary. Stay tuned for the unfolding of the prelude.

About the IAI Design Award

The IAI Global Design Award, hailed as the "Oscar of the Design World," is an international top-tier comprehensive design competition initiated and hosted by the Asia-Pacific Designers Federation (APDF). Since its establishment in 2006, we have consistently upheld the core philosophy of "Reassessing Design Value, Defining Future Forms," committed to discovering, honoring, and promoting the most outstanding design works worldwide.

From Asia-Pacific to the world, the IAI has evolved from a single interior design award into an authoritative platform covering all design fields, including architecture, interior design, product design, landscape design, cultural and creative industries, and carbon neutrality. We are not only certifiers of design achievements but also co-creators and enablers of the future of design.