San Francisco Innovation Awards
Not just another design competition. The San Francisco Innovation Awards honor exceptional work that pushes the boundaries of creativity, technology, and craft. This program recognizes designers and teams whose ideas reflect the spirit of experimentation and invention that defines the Bay Area.
Entries are reviewed by a distinguished jury of leading Bay Area innovators—designers, creative directors, founders, technologists, and cultural leaders shaping what’s next across industries. To be selected is to be recognized by peers at the forefront of global design influence.
Winning projects will be announced during San Francisco Design Week and receive a permanent presence on the Awards website, placing honorees within a respected community of forward-thinking practitioners.
We welcome submissions from across the full spectrum of design disciplines and studios worldwide.
This program is produced by Design Bay Area.
2026 Dates
- Submissions will Open On March 2, 2026
- Submission Deadline: May 9, 2026 at 11:59pm PST
- Award Recipients will be announced: June 1, 2026
Jury 2026
Jurors:
The Innovation Awards jury is a selected panel by invitation of industry experts from various disciplines including but not limited to: Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Lighting, Graphic Design and Industrial Design. The jury is chosen for their extensive experience in their field in leadership positions.
- Jason Davis, Marmol Radziner, Studio Director and Principal
- Alex Mutter-Rottmayer & Austin Carrier, HommeBoys Interiors, Founders & Principle Designers
- Miranda Jones, Galanter + Jones, Co-Founder
- Peter Antonelli, Moon Creative Lab, Global head of Design
- Dave Roche, Founding Principal, Roche + Roche, Founding Principle, Landscape Architect
- Stephanie Grandjacques, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Senior Associate
- More Judges being confirmed in the next 2 weeks!
Criteria
- Visual Presentation: Aesthetics, engagement, visual storytelling and communication and materials.
- Written Description: Does it describe the projects journey from brief, design process to execution? Include target market, opportunity, challenges faced and end product solution.
- Innovation: Is the project or product original by providing something new does it improve existing products or services in a way that hasn’t been done before?
- Social Impact: Does the project, product or service have a positive impact on society as a whole?
- Relevance: Does the project, product or service reflect the intended market it serves? Does it create value?
- Purpose: Is there clarity in reasoning and goals?
- Experience: Framework and touchpoints for interaction and relevant meaning.
- Delivery: Do the final results reflect the intention successfully?
Scoring
Scoring is based on a numerical system through our online Awards Platform based on judges selections. Projects are viewed one by one in a random order and entries are completely anonymous.
Submission Fees
Students: $129 USD
Educator: $159 USD
Professional: $375 USD
Benefits include
- Entries will be viewed by an array of Community Design Leaders with diverse backgrounds
- Inclusion on the permanent online showcase for honorees
- Use of official Innovation Awards medallion for your marketing materials
- Recognition and attention from the press and media through our press release and social media
- San Francisco Innovation Awards certificate to display in your studio* See chart below for options
- Application fees waived or discounted for minority led projects or businesses. Contact us for info: awards@sfdesignweek.org
Entrant fee includes a free certificate and digital medallion for recipients. Alternate options available for an additional fee:
| * | FREE | PDF of Award for self printing and framing plus digital medallion |
| * | $99 | Printed Award with frame, includes shipping to your office (some locations excluded or require additional shipping fee), plus digital medallion |
| * | $250 | Glass Engraved Award, includes shipping to your choice of address in the United States. International Shipping is additional based on location. You will also receive a digital medallion. |
Entrant Categories
Student Entrant
Projects, products or services which were created while attending university, trade or high school. Conceptual or student projects will be juried as Student Categories.
Professional Entrant
Projects or products which were created for clients in a professional setting. As professionals, educators may also choose this category. Categories can be submitted in the options below.
Entrant Note:
Student projects submitted in the professional category will be transferred to the student category or disqualified unless able to show on the application project meets requirements. Concepts will not be accepted in the Professional Category.
Project Categories
- Architecture: Commercial
- Architecture: Residential
- Architecture: Restaurant, Winery, Hospitality
- Communication Design
- Design Systems
- Digital Design
- Emerging Technology AI
- Experience Design
- Industrial Design
- Interior Design: Commercial
- Interior Design: Residential
- Interior Design: Restaurant, Winery, Hospitality
- Fashion
- Furniture
- Future of Food
- Health & Wellness
- Landscape Architecture
- Lighting
- Large Scale Art Installations
- Object: Craft/Artisan, Makers
- Transportation
- Wild Card
Previous Years Recipients:
2025 // 2024 // 2023 // 2022 // 2021 // 2020 // 2019 // 2018
Awards identity designed by MUCHO