Now in its fourth consecutive year, Artedomus and The Local Project present the awards. The Product Designer category is presented in partnership with New Volumes.
The program is one of the most direct routes to recognition for early-career Australian architects and designers.
The ADA is again a proud Industry Supporter, and we encourage eligible designers in our community to enter before 13 July.
Why enter
The (Emerging) Designer Awards exist to recognise originality and innovation in Australian architecture and design, and to give that work a national platform. For the winners, the rewards are substantial.
The program backs designers at the start of their careers. It opens up exposure, industry relationships and production opportunities that are hard to come by early on. Best of all, entry is free.
Category winners receive comprehensive video features, valued at $150,000 and editorial exposure to The Local Project’s audience of more than 4.9 million.
The Product Designer winner has a further opportunity: a product design contract with New Volumes.
The four categories
There are four categories to enter in 2026:
- Residential Architecture
- Residential Interior
- Commercial Interior
- Product Designer, presented in partnership with New Volumes, supported by the Authentic Design Alliance and the Regional Architecture Association.
Who can enter
The awards are open to early-career designers and architects in their first five years of business or practice. The judging process recognises and rewards practitioners who demonstrate originality and innovation.
You can find full eligibility criteria, documentation requirements and entry details on the official awards site.
The 2026 jury
This year’s jury brings together leading voices from across architecture, design and editorial:
- Yasmine Ghoniem, YSG Studio
- Chris Haddad, founding director at Archier
- Alice Blackwood, editorial director at Artedomus and SURFACE Edition
- Thomas Coward, creative director at Artedomus and New Volumes
- Millie Thwaites, editor at The Local Project
From winner to New Volumes
The program’s value is clearest in what happens after the award. Jordan Fleming won the 2024 Product Designer award (@_jordanfleming).
She has since launched her Élan Console and Mirrors with New Volumes. Her collection is made of Italian terracotta sourced from the clay-rich hills of Tuscany and is sold through Artedomus.
“I’ve long admired New Volumes, so winning the prize and getting to work with them was a huge goal of mine,” says Jordan. “It really opened the door for me. It showed me how to work with other designers and brands in a deeper, more rigorous way. It’s really filled me with a sense of confidence.”
In October 2025, Locki Humphrey (@locki.humphrey) took out the 2025 Product Designer award.
The judges praised an exceptional ability to merge innovation with artistry. Locki’s work draws on a fresh exploration of unconventional and sustainable materials.
Adelaide-based designer Bolaji Teniola (@bolajiteniola) was Highly Commended for Product Design in 2024, with Melbourne studio DUTOIT ( @dutoit.studio) taking the commendation last year.
Enter before 13 July
Are you an emerging Australian architect or designer?
Perhaps you know someone whose work deserves a national stage. Now is the time. Free entry.
Enter The (Emerging) Designer Awards 2026
Also visit the 2026 VIVID design award finalist review.
