Design Intelligence Award 2025: applications now open for the 10th edition of the international design prize

The Design Intelligence Award (DIA)—the first international academic award in the field of design in China—opens its call for entries for the 10th edition. Launched in 2015, DIA has become a key platform for promoting contemporary design and fostering connections between creativity, industry, and global innovation.

This year, the award is divided into two main participation categories, designed to capture design projects at different stages of development.

Participation in the DIA is free and there is a prize pool of €610,000.
 

The Categories

Industry Group
Open to companies, designers, professionals, and institutions, this category welcomes projects already launched on the market within the past two years, or prototypes with clear industrial potential.
Subcategories include:
– Cultural Innovation
– Living and Habitat
– Industrial Equipment
– Digital Economy

Innovation Incubation Group
A newly launched category dedicated to students and recent graduates (within 5 years), either individually or in teams. The aim is to incubate experimental ideas and projects with potential societal impact.
Subcategories include:
– Health and Wellbeing
– Smart Cultural Tourism
– Smart Hardware
– Smart Mobility
– Open Theme (X)

Download the themes for the Innovation Incubation Group


Design Intelligence Award

The selection process includes an initial online review and, for finalists, a live presentation phase.
Participation is free of charge, and winners will be selected by an international jury. In addition to financial recognition, selected projects will gain exposure within a global ecosystem dedicated to forward-thinking design.

To apply, simply register using the exclusive Italy Division invitation code (IT2025-44WUD6H) to gain direct access to the final evaluation stage and extend the application deadline until September 20, 2025.