THE WORLD’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS DESIGN COMPETITION.
Extended Deadline: May 6 ($495)
The 2022 Awards
The 2022 Innovation by Design Awards honor the designers and businesses solving the most crucial problems of today and anticipating the pressing issues of tomorrow. The competition, now in its 11th year, features a range of blue-chip companies, emerging startups, and hungry young talents. It is one of the most sought-after design awards in the industry. There are 46 categories that capture every facet of design. Entries are judged on the key ingredients of innovation: functionality, originality, beauty, sustainability, user insight, cultural impact, and business impact.
For full competition details, see the rules, FAQs, and last year’s honorees.
The entry period for the 2022 Innovation by Design Awards is now closed. Please click here to sign up for future award notifications.
Extended Deadline: May 6 ($495)
Why Enter
Every entry will be seen by Fast Company editors. Winners will appear in the October issue of Fast Company magazine and on our website, and all honorees will be featured on fastcompany.com. Winners will also be celebrated at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival this fall, and will receive a complimentary pass.
Extended Deadline: May 6 ($495)
BRAND EXPOSURE
Be seen and evaluated by Fast Company editors and reporters
OPPORTUNITIES
Winners will be celebrated at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival this fall, and receive a complimentary pass
CREDIBILITY
Gain the Fast Company stamp of approval for creating a truly breakthrough design
BREAK NEWS
Tell your organization’s story to the world for the first time; highlight the success of teams within your organization—or partners who’ve helped with your success
VISIBILITY
Appear in the October issue of Fast Company magazine and on fastcompany.com
Categories
There are 46 categories. Entries are judged on the key ingredients of innovation: functionality, originality, beauty, sustainability, user insight, cultural impact, and business impact.
Extended Deadline: May 6 ($495)
Accessible Design
Projects that put accessibility front and center, whether packaging, products, or spaces.
Apps and Games
Software and/or digital experiences that run on phones, tablets, consoles, and other platforms.
AUTOMOTIVE (NEW)
New cars, features, or products that make the driving experience safer, more pleasant, and more sustainable
BRANDING
Innovative approaches to creating or growing a brand
CIRCULAR DESIGN (NEW)
Products, packaging, and built projects designed to eliminate waste and reuse resources and that have a meaningful and demonstrable impact
DATA DESIGN
Projects that harness the power of data to create better experiences for users, whether it’s an algorithm, a visualization, or an interface
DESIGN COMPANY OF THE YEAR
The most innovative design company of the year. Companies will be judged on the quality, breadth, and ambition of their submitted work
ENTERPRISE (NEW)
Innovative approaches to B2B products and services
EXPERIENCE DESIGN (NEW)
Spaces, systems, or products that deliver an innovative and compelling user experience
EXPERIMENTAL
Concepts, prototypes, and pioneering designs intended to push the boundaries of what’s possible in an industry and excite the imagination
FASHION AND BEAUTY
Products, environments, and services that reflect—and enhance—who we are and what we wear
FINANCE
Banking apps, trading tools, and other products and services that use human-centered design to help people manage their money
GENERAL EXCELLENCE
The most innovative contemporary designs with no category restrictions
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Visual design, whether static or interactive, that has social, cultural, or business impact
HEALTH
Products, services, and environments designed to improve people’s health and solve problems in the healthcare industry
HOME
Innovative products, services, and environments for better living
HOSPITALITY (NEW)
Innovative approaches to buildings, products, or services that are targeted at the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, tourism, and recreation
IMPACT
Any design move, no matter how big or small, that has a major impact
LEARNING
Projects that use human-centered design to engage learners and promote excellence in education
MARKETING
The most creative ads in print and digital, and other media
MATERIALS
Material innovations that lead to greener, better products
PACKAGING
Innovative uses of materials, graphics, and industrial design to solve packaging problems
PANDEMIC RESPONSE
Designs meant to mitigate either the health effects of COVID-19 or the economic effects of lockdowns
PRODUCTS
Hardware and industrial design geared toward mass consumers and niche markets
RAPID RESPONSE (NEW)
Innovative projects, products, or services that are designed to react quickly to current events
RETAIL
Brand activations, digital platforms, and other retail concepts that bring a company, service, or product to life
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Products, services, systems, and platforms that help underserved communities or developing countries
SPACES AND PLACE
Buildings, structures, and interior designs that solve problems in the built environment
SPORTS AND RECREATION
Products, services, and environments designed to elevate the game for athletes, amateurs, or fans
STUDENTS
Innovative design work created while attending either an undergraduate or graduate program, or within a year of graduation
SUSTAINABILITY
Projects that use inventive design to meaningfully reduce harm to the environment
TRANSPORTATION
Projects that dramatically improve how we get around, including apps, public transit and other non-car solutions
URBAN DESIGN
Built projects that improve cities and neighborhoods, including architecture, landscapes, civic design, apps, and platforms
USER EXPERIENCE
Projects that consider a user’s journey, from beginning to end, whether in an app, a physical product, or a brick-and-mortar experience
WELLNESS
Consumer products, services, and environments that to promote a healthy lifestyle
WORKPLACE
Buildings, interiors, furniture, desk accessories, and tools built to make workers happier and more productive
BEST DESIGN ASIAN-PACIFIC REGION
The most innovative designs overall in the Asia-Pacific region
BEST DESIGN EUROPE-MIDDLE EAST-AFRICA REGION
The most innovative designs overall in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
BEST DESIGN LATIN AMERICA REGION
The most innovative designs overall in Latin America
BEST DESIGN NORTH AMERICA REGION
The most innovative designs overall in North America
ESTABLISHED EXCELLENCE: 5-14 YEARS IN BUSINESS
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have been in business between 5 and 19 years
ON THE RISE: 0-4 YEARS IN BUSINESS
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have been in business less than 4 years
ENDURING IMPACT: 15+ YEARS IN BUSINESS
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have been in business more than 20 years
SMALL BUSINESS (FEWER THAN 100 EMPLOYEES)
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have fewer than 100 employees
MID-SIZED BUSINESSES (100 - 999 EMPLOYEES)
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have between 100 to 999 employees
LARGE BUSINESSES (1000+ EMPLOYEES)
Be honored in a special list that recognizes products, projects, or services by companies that have more than 1,000 employees
Extended Deadline: May 6 ($495)
Past Honoree Testimonials
Extended Deadline: May 6 ($495)
"It meant so much to be recognized by Fast Company alongside some of the most innovative design companies in the world. Being honored by the Innovation by Design Awards wasn't just a great accolade for our team, but a sincere validation of what we've been working toward for years as a creative agency that works with purpose-driven organizations."
Ben Ostrower
Founder, Wide Eye
"Being given an Innovation by Design Award from Fast Company was a distinct honor. As a nonprofit, our work for the most vulnerable populations is often looked over. Having it recognized among some of the greatest companies and projects in the world was incredible validation for our team and supporters who believe so deeply in our work!"