Asia Design Prize, one of Asia’s leading international design awards, marked another significant milestone by successfully hosting its award ceremony on March 20 at the Great Hall of Josun Palace in Gangnam, Seoul. The event brought together approximately 180 designers and industry professionals from across Asia, creating a true global community where the essence and value of design were shared. More than a simple awards ceremony, it reaffirmed the position of Asia Design Prize as a platform that connects creative philosophies and visions, enabling participants to explore new possibilities together.

For Asia Design Prize 2026, a total of 1,515 entries were submitted from 31 regions worldwide. A distinguished jury panel of 39 global design experts conducted a fair and rigorous evaluation process to select the winners. Each entry was assessed by nine randomly assigned jurors, further enhancing the objectivity and credibility of the judging system. As a result, approximately 20% of all submissions were recognized: 1 Design of the Year, 7 Grand Prizes, 46 Gold Awards, and 275 Winners. This outcome clearly demonstrates the high level of integrity and professionalism that defines the Asia Design Prize judging system.

Under the brand slogan “Legacy Beyond Asia,” this year’s ceremony clearly articulated its vision of connecting the legacy of Asian design to the world and expanding its value on a global scale. The event was attended not only by award winners from various countries, but also by leading figures in the design industry, brand directors, and academic experts. They recognized that Asia Design Prize is evolving beyond a conventional competition into a platform that connects the global design ecosystem. In particular, active exchanges and networking among award winners naturally fostered opportunities for cross-border collaboration, bringing the vision of a “global design community” into reality.

The event extended beyond a traditional awards ceremony by incorporating a series of lectures that explored both the present and future of design. Beginning with an opening message from Jury Chairman Kim Hyun-sun, the program featured presentations analyzing the judging data and evaluation framework of Asia Design Prize, followed by an in-depth presentation on its 10th anniversary rebranding project. Subsequent sessions shared diverse perspectives on design and branding in the age of AI, as well as the relationship between humanity and technology, offering meaningful insights into the transformations and possibilities facing contemporary design. With participation from directors, professors, and corporate leaders across various fields, the lecture program symbolically reflected Asia Design Prize’s vision of design not merely as an outcome, but as a language that connects the era, technology, and humanity.

< Woosung Jun, CEO of Seaside City >

< Professor Sungchan Ko, Seoul National University of Science and Technology >

< Vice President Cheolbae Lee, LG Electronics >

< Joonghyun Cho, CEO of Dudance >

In addition, the gala dinner, networking programs, and informal exchange sessions held alongside the ceremony provided a space where designers from diverse countries could share their experiences and philosophies while exploring new possibilities for collaboration. Bringing together creators from various fields, including startup founders, art directors, and brand leaders, this event highlighted a significant moment in which Asian design is moving beyond a regional context and becoming closely connected to the global market.

Through this ceremony, Asia Design Prize further clarified its direction as a platform that connects the global growth and business opportunities of its winners, grounded in its core value, “LEGACY BEYOND ASIA.” This reflects the brand philosophy of defining awards not as a result, but as a starting point, and signifies its evolution into a structure that meaningfully expands designers’ careers and brand value. The 2026 ceremony served as a symbolic stage that connected the creativity and diversity of Asian design, along with the philosophies and possibilities embedded within it, to the world. Moving forward, Asia Design Prize will continue to strengthen its role as a platform that discovers the value of designers and expands their potential into the global market.