International Product Design Competition for Students 2026
Applicant criteria
- 18 - 60
- Both
Opportunity criteria
Opportunity description
The European Product Design Award (EPDA) announces the opening of applications for the Emerging European Product Design Award 2026, an international program dedicated to supporting the next generation of product designers and students, giving them the opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience of design experts, universities, and creative institutions. The award aims to highlight innovative designs that solve practical problems, improve everyday life, or present beautiful and functional ideas in the field of product design.
Available Categories
The award accepts submissions across more than 800 categories for students and professionals, covering a wide range of fields, including:
- Product design.
- Interior design and architecture.
- Furniture and home design.
- Consumer electronics.
- Interface design and user experience.
- Educational design.
- Sustainable and environmental design.
- Game and entertainment design.
- Transportation and vehicle design.
- Industrial design.
- Packaging design and visual communication.
Responsibilities
- Submit an innovative, practical, or conceptual product design project.
- Write the project description in English, as the jury is international.
- Explain the design concept, the problem it solves, and how it contributes to society or everyday life.
- Upload high-quality images of the project. Up to 10 images may be uploaded per entry.
- Choose a strong cover image, as it will be used in the winners’ gallery and the annual EPDA book if the project wins.
- An additional PDF file may be attached, including project details, 3D drawings, specifications, or a business plan.
- Mention the names of all designers, photographers, and contributors involved in the project.
Application Fees
- The student fee after support is EUR 200 instead of EUR 400.
- A 50% discount is available for each additional category if the same design is submitted in more than one category.
- Payment can be made via PayPal, credit card, or Airwallex.
Benefits
- 50% support on application fees for students, reducing the fee to EUR 200 instead of EUR 400.
- Opportunity to gain international recognition in the field of product design.
- Strengthening the participant’s CV and professional portfolio.
- Networking opportunities with professionals and experts at European design events.
- Support for winning students in finding internship opportunities.
- Winners receive the official EPDA winners’ package and an invitation to attend the awards ceremony.
- Winners receive an official certificate and winner’s seal, along with a permanent profile page on the award website.
- There are no additional fees in case of winning; all winner benefits are included.
Eligibility criteria
- The program is designed for students and emerging designers in the fields of product design and creative design.
- Universities and academic institutions may support their students to participate.
- The work may be submitted in more than one category, with a 50% discount on additional categories if the same design is submitted in multiple categories.
- The award has an international scope and provides a platform for students and universities to showcase creativity and gain global recognition.
Application Deadlines
- July 25, 2026: Regular application deadline.
- August 20, 2026: Final deadline, with no further extension after this date.
- The EPDA Awards Ceremony will be held on October 18, 2026, in Venice, Italy.
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