Where Innovation Meets Social Responsibility
Not just another design competition. The San Francisco Design Week Awards is an international design competition seeking to encourage thought leadership by supporting designers whose works can contribute towards a positive future for society.
Entries for the prestigious San Francisco Design Week Awards will be judged by a jury composed of leading Bay Area design professionals; those selected will be showcased and have a permanent presence on the SF Design Week Awards website.
We welcome applicants from across the entire range of design industries from anywhere in the world.
SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN
2025 Dates
- Applications Open: March 3, 2025
- Submission Deadline: May 12, 2025
- Award Recipients will be announced: June 2, 2025
Jury 2025
Check back, our 2025 Jury List is in progress of being updated!
Confirmed Jurors:
Erica Tanov, Founder, Erica Tanov: Relaxed Luxury for the Wardrobe and Home
Alana Washington, Director of Product Design, Tinder
Junko Nagai, Co-founder of Koncept 22
Owen Starr, Global Head of Design and Research, Amazon Design
Clement Mok, Co-Founder Sugarfish, former Apple and Studio Archetype/Sapient
The San Francisco Design Week jury is a selected panel by invitation of industry experts from various disciplines including but not limited to: Architecture, Interior Design, Graphic Design and Industrial Design. The jury is chosen by their extensive experience in their field in leadership positions.
Criteria
- Visual Presentation: Aesthetics, engagement, visual storytelling and communication and materials.
- Written Description: Does it describe the projects journey from brief, design process to execution? Include target market, opportunity, challenges faced and end product solution.
- Innovation: Is the project or product original by providing something new does it improve existing products or services in a way that hasn’t been done before?
- Social Impact: Does the project, product or service have a positive impact on society as a whole?
- Relevance: Does the project, product or service reflect the intended market it serves? Does it create value?
- Purpose: Is there clarity in reasoning and goals?
- Experience: Framework and touchpoints for interaction and relevant meaning.
- Delivery: Do the final results reflect the intention successfully?
Scoring
Scoring is based on a numerical system through our online Awards Platform based on judges selections. Projects are viewed one by one in a random order and entries are completely anonymous.
Submission Fees
Students: $129 USD
Educator: $159 USD
Professional: $375 USD
Benefits include
- Entries will be viewed by an array of Community Design Leaders with diverse backgrounds
- Inclusion on the permanent online showcase for honorees
- Use of official San Francisco Design Awards medallion for your marketing materials
- Recognition and attention from the press and media through our press release and social media
- San Francisco Design Week Awards certificate to display in your studio* See chart below for options
- Application fees waived or discounted for minority led projects or businesses. Contact us for info: awards@sfdesignweek.org
Entrant fee includes a free certificate and digital medallion for recipients. Alternate options available for an additional fee:
| * | FREE | PDF of Award for self printing and framing plus digital medallion |
| * | $99 | Printed Award with frame, includes shipping to your office (some locations excluded or require additional shipping fee), plus digital medallion |
| * | $250 | Glass Engraved Award, includes shipping to your choice of address in the United States. International Shipping is additional based on location. You will also receive a digital medallion. |
Entrant Categories
Student Entrant
Projects, products or services which were created while attending university, trade or high school. Conceptual or student projects will be juried as Student Categories.
Professional Entrant
Projects or products which were created for clients in a professional setting. As professionals, educators may also choose this category. Categories can be submitted in the options below.
Entrant Note:
Student projects submitted in the professional category will be transferred to the student category or disqualified unless able to show on the application project meets requirements. Concepts will not be accepted in the Professional Category.
Project Categories
- Architecture: Commercial
- Architecture: Residential
- Architecture: Restaurant, Winery, Hospitality
- Communication Design
- Design Systems
- Digital Design
- Emerging Technology AI
- Experience Design
- Industrial Design
- Interior Design: Commercial
- Interior Design: Residential
- Interior Design: Restaurant, Winery, Hospitality
- Fashion
- Furniture
- Future of Food
- Health & Wellness
- Landscape Architecture
- Lighting
- Large Scale Art Installations
- Object: Craft/Artisan, Makers
- Transportation
- Wild Card
Awards identity designed by MUCHO