INTRODUCTION
The Design Intelligence Award (DIA), established in 2015, is the first international academic award in China's comprehensive design field. It serves as a platform for evaluating, promoting, and collaborating on contemporary innovative design, as well as an innovation accelerator that connects creativity with industry and the future.
The global collection for the 10th Design Intelligence Award has officially launched! DIA is FREE to participate and offers the possibility of winning one of the prizes in the €560k prize pool. This year brings an exciting new development: in addition to the Product Group (Group A, see below), dedicated to companies, professionals, institutions, and designers, we have introduced the new category Concept Group (Group B, see below).
We welcome outstanding enterprises, institutions, companies, designers and students from around the world to participate with their innovative products, services, and projects!
Use Italy Workstation exclusive Invitation code IT2026-H4N7T9Q to extend the FREE PARTICIPATION until 1st September and obtain the right to skip the preliminary evaluation to get BIGGER CHANCE TO WIN!
CHOW TO PARTICIPATE
1.COPY OUR INVITATION CODE
IT2026-H4N7T9Q
For:
⦁ Enter the final evaluation directly
⦁ No entry fee
⦁ Extended entry deadline
⦁ Extra support
2.REGISTER AND DELIVER YOUR PROJECT
Access to the registration link:
https://en.di-award.org/?invite=IT2026-H4N7T9Q
*Check whether our invite code has been entered automatically
Deliver your project before September 1st, 2026 (17:00 CEST / 24:00 UTC+8) – extended deadline.
3. GET HELP IF NEEDED
Contact us if you need any help - DIA Italy Workstation:
[email protected]
AWARDS SETTING
Entry is free of charge. The total prize pool is approximately €560,000.
GRAND AWARD
1 Awards, ±€125.000
PRODUCT GROUP
GOLD Award: 4 awards, ±€37.000/award
SILVER Award: 16 awards, ±12.000/award
BRONZE AWARD: 20 awards, ±€4.000/award
CONCEPT GROUP
Future Talents: 4 awards, ±€25000/award
Young Talents: 10 awards, granted a trophy and certificate
In addition, the Excellent Nomination Award will be granted to about 50 entries selected, granting a trophy and certificate.
In addition, the Honorable Mention Award will be granted to about 300 entries selected, granting a trophy and certificate.
PARTICIPATION CATEGORY
A.PRODUCT GROUP
Participants: open to all, including enterprises, institutions, and individuals
Submission Requirements: entries must be products launched within 2 years prior to the submission date, and be able to provide physical products once shortlisted for the.
Second Evaluation
Registration Deadline: September 01, 2026
Topic Selection: free topic selection.
Categories: Digital Economy, Industrial Equipment, Life Wisdom, Cultural Innovation.
Review Process: there are three rounds of evaluation, namely, Preliminary Evaluation, Second Evaluation and Final Evaluation. Graphic and text evaluation is adopted in the Preliminary Evaluation, a combination of physical product and video evaluation is adopted in the Second Evaluation, and on-site oral defense is adopted in the Final Evaluation.
B.CONCEPT GROUP
Participants: open to all, including enterprises, institutions, and individuals.
Submission Requirements: entries must demonstrate industrial feasibility, and be able to provide fully functional prototypes once shortlisted for the Second Evaluation.
Registration Deadline: September 01, 2026.
Topic Selection: free topic selection.
Categories: Digital Economy, Industrial Equipment, Life Wisdom, Cultural Innovation.
Review Process: there are three rounds of evaluation, namely, Preliminary Evaluation, Second Evaluation and Final Evaluation. Graphic and text evaluation is adopted in the Preliminary Evaluation, a combination of physical product and video evaluation is adopted in the Second Evaluation, and on-site oral defense is adopted in the Final Evaluation.
DIA 2026 - Call for entry
FORE MORE INFO
CONTACTS
DIA ITALY WORKSTATION
[email protected]
WINNER FROM ITALY IN 2025
GOLD AWARD (€37.000)
DOTDOTDOT
Cannero Walking Tales: An Open-Air Immersive Experience
Cannero Walking Tales is an open-air museum that reimagines cultural tourism through a fusion of heritage, storytelling, and technology. Located at the Castles of Cannero on Lake Maggiore, it offers an immersive journey where the fortress itself becomes the narrator, guiding visitors with poetic and historically grounded tales. Using location-based audio, the stories unfold automatically as people move through the ruins, creating a fluid, hands-free exploration. The project integrates augmented reality overlays and subtle multi-sensory installations that enrich the visit without disturbing or overshadowing the authenticity of the site. This balance ensures that history is not only preserved but also animated in a way that is accessible, engaging, and emotionally compelling.
A unique feature is the interactive children’s game, built around 3D-printed artifacts, which encourages families to engage with the site through play, discovery, and storytelling. By combining education and entertainment, it fosters a deeper connection for younger visitors while strengthening intergenerational participation. Cannero Walking Tales demonstrates how digital innovation can enhance heritage interpretation while respecting cultural integrity. It sets a pioneering example for outdoor cultural heritage projects, showing how technology can transform historic environments into living, participatory narratives without compromising their authenticity
Bronze Award (€12.000)
Stefano Boeri
Isola
Stefano Boeri Interiors designs for Smeg "Isola ALTA PRO" an induction hob with an integrated hood. The product is part of the "Isola" collection, a series of induction hobs, with and without an integrated hood, and a high-tech suspended hood system, with a revolutionary, elegant and luminous design. Thanks to the surprising lighting that defines the perimeter of the hob, the glass surface emerges as the protagonist.
The precious LED light insert, moreover, can remain switched on regardless of induction hob use, and thanks to the adjustable light intensity it becomes a light design element. The hob-integrated hoods are also characterised by refined style and innovative functionality. Attention to detail is also evident in the elegant finishes of the hob frame and integrated hood grille, which can be customised in black, taupe or satin stainless steel.
