PRODUCT DESIGN

This category honors products that combine functionality, aesthetics, and material choice. From consumer electronics to furniture and sustainable design, it highlights creations that address real-world challenges while enhancing quality of life and promoting sustainability across the continent.

Through the African International Design Awards – Product Design, we recognize the essential role that objects and everyday products play in shaping our lives.

With 9 categories spanning furniture, lighting, homeware, consumer electronics, mobility, and sustainable design, the awards celebrate the creativity, functionality, and innovation brought forward by passionate African product designers. AIDA Awards highlights the importance of design that blends purpose with aesthetic value, and honors those shaping the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Entries may be submitted as conceptual designs, in-progress work, or launched products. The only requirement is that the product must be no more than five years old at the time of submission.

Submissions should include high-quality images showcasing the product from multiple angles — front, back, side, and detail views — along with contextual images showing the product in use or within its intended environment.

Please also provide design development materials, such as sketches, technical drawings, 3D renderings, or mood boards that reflect the creative process and concept behind the product.

If the project involves a reworked or upcycled product, include clear before-and-after images to highlight the transformation. For product series or collections, a group overview image is recommended to present the complete vision.

Entries can be submitted by a company, independent designer, or student.
Winners are selected based on a single project, not a full portfolio or body of work.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Provide a brief description of the product or collection, including its concept, inspiration, materials used, functionality, and intended context or user.
Include a profile of the designer, student, studio, or company (or university, if applicable).
List all contributors involved in the creation of the product (e.g., product designer, engineer, fabricator, craftspeople, mentor, professor, etc.).
Upload up to 10 images showing the product from multiple angles — front, back, side, close-up details — as well as contextual photos showing the product in use or within a designed space. You may also include a brand or company logo.
If applicable, include design development visuals such as sketches, technical drawings, CAD renderings, exploded views, or mood boards that reflect the design process.
For reworked, restored, or upcycled products, include clear before-and-after images to highlight the transformation.
Product Specification PDF (recommended for conceptual or student projects) — Include details such as dimensions, materials, technical specifications, or production notes.

For more information, please download the AIDA Awards entry guide 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

The Africa International Design Awards are open to anyone aged 18 and above, regardless of their country of residence. Applicants living outside of Africa should either be of African origin or submit projects that have been developed or realized in Africa. All submissions must demonstrate a clear and meaningful connection to the continent.

The AIDA Awards Jury Members for Product Design

AIDA’s jury is composed of internationally acclaimed designers, creative directors, and cultural thinkers from across Africa and the diaspora.

One to One by Martin Döller

Founder and Creative Director

Martin Döller

Machakos University

Industrial Designer Educator

Mugendi K. M’Rithaa

Ousmane Mbaye Design

Managing Director – Founder of the brand Ousmane Mbaye Design

Ousmane Mbaye

Reform Studio

Co-Founders & Chief Designers

Mariam Hazem & Hend Riad

FATYLABS

Ceramic Designer & Ceramic artist

Faty Ly

Charles Job Design & Architecture

Designer & Architect

Charles O. Job

Chorus Architecture

Founder & CEO

Cédrix Tsambang

Birsel + Seck

Founder

Bibi Seck – Head of the Jury

JUDGING CRITERIA

The evaluation process for entries to the AIDA Awards – Fashion Design category is guided by a set of flexible judging criteria. These are regularly reviewed and adapted in response to evolving creative, cultural, environmental, and social contexts. While not exhaustive, the criteria serve as a framework to guide the jury’s assessment — complemented by each juror’s expertise, perspective, and cultural background.

Each jury member is deeply committed to a fair and thoughtful evaluation process. Categories are assigned based on the jurors’ specific knowledge and professional experience. All entries are reviewed anonymously and randomly, ensuring a judging process that is both impartial and equitable.

Entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria, depending on the nature of the project and design discipline:

Aesthetics – Overall visual appeal of the product, including its form, shape, color, texture, finish, and the quality and relevance of materials used.
Innovation – Introduction of original ideas, creative use of materials or technology, or improvement upon existing products or user experiences.
Practicality / Functionality – Effectiveness of the product in fulfilling its intended purpose, including usability, safety, ease of cleaning, and maintenance.
Ergonomics – Comfort, ease of use, and how well the product adapts to human interaction and physical needs in everyday scenarios.
Durability – Longevity and quality of construction, including the resilience of materials and overall performance over time.
Impact – Contribution to the well-being of the user, community, or broader society—whether through cultural relevance, accessibility, or economic value.
Integration – How seamlessly the product fits into its intended context (e.g., home, work, public space), and reflects local or cultural identity.
Ecological Compatibility – Consideration of environmental impact, including sustainable sourcing, energy efficiency, production methods, and recyclability.
Emotional Quotient – Does the product go beyond function to create emotional engagement, attachment, or user delight?

SCORING BOARD & JUDGING PROCESS

The AIDA Awards follow a multi-step judging process to ensure fairness, rigour, and expert evaluation across all disciplines.

In the first stage, jury members review and rate all submitted projects online using a dedicated scorecard. Each juror evaluates entries based on their expertise and experience within their specific field of design. The Africa International Design Awards scores projects between 10-100 points.

Once the initial scores have been tallied, jury members participate in group discussions to review the highest-scoring entries in each category. These collaborative sessions allow for the exchange of ideas, critical debate, and collective insight. Final deliberations determine the winners in the Professional, Independent Designer, and Emerging Designer categories.

ENTRY FEES 2026

To ensure access and representation across the continent and the diaspora, we offer regionally adapted pricing. Africa-based applicants benefit from a reduced fee structure to reflect local economies and support emerging voices. Diaspora and international participants are invited to contribute through a standard fee, which helps fund outreach and the awards ceremony.

ENTRY FEES 2026 – APPLICATIONS FROM AFRICAN COUNTRIES

The AIDA Awards entry fees are calculated per project submitted and are determined based on the country associated with your billing information or company location.

Professional/ Company: US$100, same entry in additional categories at a 50% discount.
Independent Designer / Freelancers: US$40, same entry in additional categories at a 50% discount.
Student: US$10, same entry in additional categories at a 50% discount.

ENTRY FEES 2026 – INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS