Comprehensive video features, invaluable editorial exposure to millions of viewers, a product design contract, and more: these are just some of the career boosting opportunities for Australian architects and designers entering The (Emerging) Designer Awards in 2026.

Presented by Artedomus and The Local Project, the awards aim to promote designers at the early stages of their career journey. Now in its fourth year, and with free entry, the program offers practitioners and creatives with multiple avenues through which they can gain valuable recognition and media exposure, industry experience, and indispensable relationship building opportunities.

Entries for the 2026 program open Monday 11 May, with four categories to enter, including Residential Architecture, Residential Interior, Commercial Interior and Product Designer. Review your entry eligibility here.

The awards are open to early-career designers who are in their first five years of business or practice and, through a rigorous and considered judging process, recognises and rewards those who demonstrate originality and innovation through architecture and design.

“From the very beginning, the intention of The (Emerging) Designer Awards has been to support our industry and celebrate its talent. Four years on, the awards have exceeded their programmatic potential to become an active celebration of community, mentorship, and growth,” says Artedomus managing director, Phil Brenton. “Each year, the calibre of entries continues to exceed our jurors’ expectations. It’s a reflection of the depth of ingenuity and creativity in Australia today, and a testament to the entrepreneurship and skill that fuels our design community.”

Among this year’s prizes for category winners are comprehensive video features, worth $150,000, as well as valuable media exposure on The Local Project to its audience of 4.9+ million. For those entering the Product Designer category, presented in partnership with New Volumes, one lucky winner has the opportunity to receive a product design contract with the brand.

Named Product Designer in 2024, Jordan Fleming says winning the category award has been an affirming experience – both personally and professionally. She last year launched her Élan Console and Mirrors with New Volumes. In an interview with SURFACE Edition she comments: “I’ve long admired New Volumes, so winning the prize and getting to work with them was a huge goal of mine. It really opened the door for me and 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.”

Returning to The (Emerging) Designer Awards Jury in 2026 is Chris Haddad, founding director at Archier, Yasmine Ghoniem, designer at YSG Studio, Thomas Coward, creative director at Artedomus and New Volumes, and Alice Blackwood, editorial director at Artedomus and SURFACE Edition. We also welcome Millie Thwaites, editor at The Local Project to this year’s jury.

“For many, The (Emerging) Designer Awards has been a catalyst, opening new doors, fostering new collaborations, and instilling the confidence to keep pushing forward in their creative journeys. We look forward to seeing the exceptional skills and completed work that this year’s entries will reveal,” says Phil.

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