A' Eyewear Design Awards open 2026 entries

A' Design Award & Competition has opened entries for its 2026 A' International Eyewear Design Awards, with a deadline of Sept. 30, 2026 and results due May 1, 2027. The contest covers eyewear products and optical designs from the past 10 years and offers winners a package of publicity tools, exhibitions and prize benefits.

Why it matters: - The awards give eyewear designers, brands and manufacturers a global platform to showcase products that combine style, comfort, optical performance and functional innovation. - Winning entries can receive publicity support, exhibitions in Italy and recognition across A' Design Award rankings and classifications. - The competition targets eyewear products and optical designs developed within the last 10 years, which broadens the field beyond brand-new launches.

What happened: - A' Design Award & Competition announced a call for entries for the A' International Eyewear Design Awards on Aug. 17, 2026. - The competition is open worldwide to eyewear designers, product designers, industrial design studios, eyewear brands, eyewear manufacturers, fashion designers, optometrists, optical engineers, lens manufacturers, frame designers, accessory designers, design consultants and R&D companies. - Eligible categories include sunglasses, prescription glasses, reading glasses, safety glasses, sports goggles, swim goggles, fashion eyewear and contact lenses. - The entry deadline is Sept. 30, 2026. - Results will be announced on May 1, 2027.

The details: - The competition uses a two-phase format. - The first phase is free to join and gives entrants a preliminary score for submitted work. - Projects that pass preliminaries can advance to nomination, which carries a nominal fee. - The awards recognize designs that emphasize visual identity, ergonomics, comfort, optical performance, durability, lightweight construction, material selection and aesthetic character. - Award sub-categories and descriptions are available in the competition’s category listing. - Participants can register through the competition’s entry page. - Past winners are listed on the competition’s winners page. - More information about the awards is available at designaward.com.

Between the lines: - The prize structure is designed to turn a design award into a marketing platform, not just a trophy. - Professional-edition laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes a certificate, lifetime winner-logo license, yearbook inclusion, a trophy, translation services, invitations to the gala night and listings in ranking platforms. - Winners also get an exclusive interview, a prepared press release and a press kit with design images, photographs, logos and portfolio material. - A' Design Award & Competition says the press kits will be distributed to thousands of accredited press members, with additional publication support from press partners. - The press kit preparation and distribution service, along with the A' Design Prize, are free for laureates.

What's next: - Designers and brands can submit entries before the Sept. 30, 2026 deadline. - Qualified projects will move from preliminary review to nomination consideration. - Winners will be announced May 1, 2027, and professional-edition laureates will receive the prize package and publicity support. - Press members and design enthusiasts can review previous winners now through the competition’s winners page.

The bottom line: - A' Design Award & Competition is using its eyewear contest to spotlight product innovation while packaging the win with publicity, rankings and industry exposure.