Tokyo Honorary Designer Awards

Honoring Outstanding Individuals Shaping the Global Design Landscape

The Tokyo Honorary Designer Awards recognize individuals whose work, leadership, and creative voice have made a lasting impact across the design world. From visionary studio founders and design educators to cultural storytellers, material innovators, and rising talents, this category highlights exceptional contributions from professionals who define and elevate design excellence.

Open to independent designers, creative leaders, strategists, educators, and future-shaping voices, submissions span across titles such as Outstanding Career Achievement in Design, Outstanding Designer, Excellence in Architecture, Interior Design and more. Whether you lead through craft, innovation, mentorship, or storytelling, this is your platform for global recognition.

Nominate a deserving individual or submit your own design journey to honor creative work and leadership shape the future of design worldwide.

If you’ve inspired the world through your design journey—step into the spotlight and let Tokyo honor your brilliance!

 Tokyo Honorary Designer Awards

Honorary Designer Categories

HD26001Outstanding Independent Designer
HD26002Emerging Design Voice
HD26003Master of Detail
HD26004Material Explorer in Design
HD26005Cultural Storyteller in Design
HD26006Minimalist Aesthetic Leader
HD26007Design Educator of the Year
HD26008Design Studio Founder Honor
HD26009Design Strategist of the Year
HD26010Client-Trusted Designer
HD26011Packaging Designer of the Year
HD26012Interior Designer of the Year
HD26013Furniture Designer of the Year
HD26014Product Designer of the Year
HD26015Architect of the Year
HD26016Landscape Designer of the Year
HD26017Animation Character Designer of the Year
HD26018Conceptual Thinker of the Year
HD26019Design for Good Awardee
HD26020Sustainability Design Advocate
HD26021Public Space Impact Award
HD26022Tokyo Spirit Award
HD26023Cross-Disciplinary Creative
HD26024Craftsmanship Design Tribute
HD26025Visual Storytelling Excellence
HD26026Best Young Designer (Under 30)
HD26027Women in Design Recognition
HD26028Career Achievement Recognition
HD26029International Design Voice
HD26030Future Shaper in Design
HD26000New Category

Deadlines & Fees

The Tokyo Design Awards accepts submissions for completed projects, conceptual works, or designs in progress—highlighting innovation at every stage. All entries are judged individually, with awards granted based on the merit of each submission, not on a full portfolio or body of work.

To keep the process fair and accessible, the Tokyo Design Awards charges a one-time annual administrative fee of $30 instead of per-entry fees. This fee supports essential operations such as processing, platform maintenance, and documentation—allowing designers to submit multiple works without additional financial burden.

* Multi-Category Entries:
You may submit the same entry to multiple categories. The first category will follow the standard entry fee. Additional categories will incur a reduced fee per category.

* Refund Policy:
All fees are non-refundable. Withdrawn entries—whether initiated by the entrant or disqualified due to non-compliance with entry rules—are not eligible for refunds under any circumstances.

* Project Eligibility:
All submitted work must have been created within the last five (5) years to ensure relevance and industry alignment.

Winner's Benefits

Benefits / Winning Level Designs of
The Year
Designer of
The Year
Platinum
Winner
Gold
Winner
Silver
Winner
Statuette - - -
Appearance on Winners Highlight Page - - -
Featured in Winner Press Release - - -
Featured in Tokyo Design Awards e-Newsletter - -
Featured in Media Partner Website - Muse.World - -
Dedicated Social Media Post -
Winner’s Interview
Dedicated Winner’s Profile / Page
Eligible to Purchase Tokyo Design Statuette
Press Release Template
Winner Certificate
Winner Badge

Submission Details

Submit your entry online in FOUR easy steps:

STEP 1

Tap the "My Account" button to register your username and password. If you are already a member, tap "Log In."

STEP 2

Complete the short online entry form. Don't forget you can enter each work in more than one category.

STEP 3

Upload your entry* to the system.

STEP 4

Click “Checkout” to process your entry fees.

* File Limits; Up to 10 files in in JPEG/PNG and/or PDF can be uploaded per entry. For a smooth uploading process, please ensure images are formatted as JPEG/PNG, 1000px, and no larger than 4MB. Please save PDFs in "Screen View", limited to 6 pages per entry, or 4MB in size.

* Submissions should be as detailed as possible. For example, architectural submissions should include small-scale site plans for context, and images of all sides of the building and its environment. A complex of buildings should include a rendering. Restorations and remodels should include images of the site "before and after."

* Submissions can be entered as concepts, completed, or works in process. Completed projects may not be older than five years.

* Limit written descriptions of your project to 350 words or less.