Asia Design Platform

Hosting Guidelines

Award Announcement

Award Name
2026 International Busan Design Award
Organizers
Busan Metropolitan City
Hosts
Design Council Busan
Sponsors
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, Busan Tourism Organization, Busan Global City Foundation, Kookje Co., Ltd., KNN, Busan MBC, Busan Federation of Designers, SEDIA, Busan Bank, Design House
Exhibition Period
5. 21 (목). 2026 ~ 5. 24 (일). 2026
ExhibitionLocation
Exhibition Location: BEXCO Exhibition Center

Submission Requirements

출품규정
	Eligibility	Entry Fees
General	Undergraduate/graduate students, individuals, and companies ※ Individual or team submissions (up to 4 members) are accepted (Each entrant/team may submit up to two works) ※ Group submission (maximum 4 designers) must specify the one main designer and up to three assistant designers ※ Only one award certificate will be issued per winning work (team entry). (However, all participants can receive certificates of entry and details of award records via ADP website)	Undergraduate and graduate students, individuals: Free Organizations: KRW 100,000 per 1 Work (payment upon online entry submission) ※Submission of multiple pieces is considered as 1 piece of design
Youth	elementary, middle, or high school students, and youth aged 18 or under ※ Individual or team submissions (up to 4 members) are accepted (Each entrant/team may submit up to two works) ※ Group submission (maximum 4 designers) must specify the one main designer and up to three assistant designers ※ Only one award certificate will be issued per winning work (team entry). (However, all participants can receive certificates of entry and details of award records via ADP website)	Free ※ If submitted as a series, it will be counted as one entry
Invited/Nominated Designers	Invited/ Nominated Designers of the International Busan Design Award including Invited/ Nominated Designers of the Busan Industrial	-

Submission Procedures

01

Online submission and 1^stround screening

1. 2 (금). 2026 ~
4. 3 (금). 2026
02

1^stround online screening

Apr. 10 (Fri). 2026 ~ 4. 13 (월). 2026
1^st round winner announcement : 4. 15 (수). 2026
03

Offline submission of actual pieces and 2^nd round screening

Apr 18(Sat). 2026 ~
4. 22 (수). 2026
04

2^nd Round of Review &
final results announcement

Announcement of final results :
2026. 5. 4 (월)

Online &offline announcement of the award

Submission Period
1. 2 (금). 2026 ~ 4. 3 (금). 2026
Submission Platform
Official website of the International Busan Design Award(https://adp.dcb.or.kr)
1^stround online screening
Apr. 10 (Fri). 2026 ~ 4. 13 (월). 2026
1^stround winner announcement
4. 15 (수). 2026

※ Selected winners of the 1st round must submit the actual design pieces by the specified deadline for the 2nd round offline screening (failure to submit actual pieces may result in elimination from the contest)

Offline submission of actual pieces and 2^ndround screening

Submission Period
Apr 18(Sat). 2026 ~ 4. 22 (수). 2026
Submission Office
Design Council Busan ibda Secretariat
Mail Submission
the 3rd floor Seminar F, 57, Centum dong-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea(48059)

※ Actual pieces must arrive at the submission office by the final submission date (Senders are responsible for any damage or lost items)

Submission Restrictions

Entries recognized as plagiarism
Entries recognized as harmful to the public order and social morals
Entries that do not meet the production standards specified in the guidelines
Entries that have won awards in other domestic or international competitions as of the submission date
Entries that use others’ prompts or AI-generated outputs without authorization
Outputs generated using AI models trained on illegal data or data with unresolved copyright issues

※ Any awards, prize money, and related records (including award history) may be revoked if an entry is found to fall under any of the above categories.

Submission Categories

Free Theme: Entries may be submitted under one of the following categories within the free theme.

Communication Design and Service Design

Communication design including advertising, graphics, CI, BI, video, multimedia content and all areas of service design, including shared-value design and social innovation design.
Product Design and Environmental Design

Comprehensive product designs for consumer goods, industrial goods, etc. and environmental design including architecture and public design.
Craft and Fashion Design
(Free Theme)

Comprehensive craft designs such as metals, ceramics, woodwork, paintings, varnishing, textiles, etc. and fashion designs such as clothing, accessories, etc.
Busan Urban Public Design

Redesign and new design proposals to improve existing public spaces (facilities) in Busan

Busan Urban Public Design

Scope / Overview	Creative proposals across all fields of public design for Busan, aimed at enhancing the urban environment and the quality of public life in the city. Design proposals focusing on the improvement (redesign) or reconfiguration of actual public spaces within Busan Metropolitan City, including: Public spaces such as streets, squares, pedestrian environments, and parks; or Public facilities such as wayfinding signage, resting facilities, and safety facilities. Public design proposals based on universal design principles that enhance citizens’ safety, convenience, accessibility, and walkability within the urban environment. Integrated urban and public design approaches that are organically connected to the surrounding area, environment, and overall urban context. Public design proposals that reflect Busan’s local characteristics, culture, landscape, and identity as key design elements
Submission Requirements	The submission must specify an actual public space or public facility located within Busan as the design target. ※ Entries submitted to the Busan Urban Public Design category cannot be submitted simultaneously to the Environmental Design category

Scope / Overview

Creative proposals across all fields of public design for Busan, aimed at enhancing the urban environment and the quality of public life in the city.
Design proposals focusing on the improvement (redesign) or reconfiguration of actual public spaces within Busan Metropolitan City, including:
- Public spaces such as streets, squares, pedestrian environments, and parks; or
- Public facilities such as wayfinding signage, resting facilities, and safety facilities.
Public design proposals based on universal design principles that enhance citizens’ safety, convenience, accessibility, and walkability within the urban environment.
Integrated urban and public design approaches that are organically connected to the surrounding area, environment, and overall urban context.
Public design proposals that reflect Busan’s local characteristics, culture, landscape, and identity as key design elements

Submission Requirements

The submission must specify an actual public space or public facility located within Busan as the design target.

※ Entries submitted to the Busan Urban Public Design category cannot be submitted simultaneously to the Environmental Design category

※ Guidelines for AI-Assisted Design Submissions

Applicable Works	Design works (images, videos, or other visual outputs) created or planned using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across all design fields. ※ Simple browsing or referencing of AI-generated images for inspiration or idea research does not fall under this category.
Mandatory Disclosure Requirements	If AI is used at any stage of the design process, the following information must be clearly stated within the submitted images: Name of the AI tool or model used(e.g., Midjourney, DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, etc.) Overview of key prompts or algorithmic design logic Description of the designer’s creative intervention, editing, and post-processing process The final submission must be a designer-led, intentionally planned and controlled creative work. Submissions consisting solely of automatically generated outputs are not permitted. All visual elements of the work (images, forms, videos, etc.) must be based on materials for which the entrant holds the copyright or usage rights, or is legally permitted to use

Applicable Works

Design works (images, videos, or other visual outputs) created or planned using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across all design fields.
※ Simple browsing or referencing of AI-generated images for inspiration or idea research does not fall under this category.

Mandatory Disclosure Requirements

If AI is used at any stage of the design process, the following information must be clearly stated within the submitted images:
- Name of the AI tool or model used(e.g., Midjourney, DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, etc.)
- Overview of key prompts or algorithmic design logic
- Description of the designer’s creative intervention, editing, and post-processing process
The final submission must be a designer-led, intentionally planned and controlled creative work.
Submissions consisting solely of automatically generated outputs are not permitted.
All visual elements of the work (images, forms, videos, etc.) must be based on materials for which the entrant holds the copyright or usage rights, or is legally permitted to use

Submission Standards

Online Submission Standards

Image size	A1 (size : 594mm × 841mm / pixels : 4677 × 6623 × 72dpi), vertical/horizontal, maximum 2 pages (panels)
Image Resolution and Color Space	72dpi / RGB
File Format	JPG

Offline Actual Piece Submission Standards

Flat Entries (Mandatory)	590㎜×840㎜×5㎜ (size A1) submit foam board (maximum 2 pieces) - Unable to modify entries after submission - Information on the identity, origin, and affiliation of the submitter is prohibited
3D models (Optional)	POP, CIP, Package design - Display size must be less than 900㎜×900㎜×900㎜ Multimedia content•video submission - Submission of entry in USB format - Web-design entry pages are a maximum of 20 pages, and video submission is within 5 minutes Product, environmental, fashion•craft design - Disply size less than 1000㎜×1000㎜×2000㎜ - Mannequins are available in the fashion design field but must be prepared by the submitter

Flat Entries
(Mandatory)

590㎜×840㎜×5㎜ (size A1) submit foam board (maximum 2 pieces)
- - Unable to modify entries after submission
- - Information on the identity, origin, and affiliation of the submitter is prohibited

3D models
(Optional)

POP, CIP, Package design
- - Display size must be less than 900㎜×900㎜×900㎜
Multimedia content•video submission
- - Submission of entry in USB format
- - Web-design entry pages are a maximum of 20 pages, and video submission is within 5 minutes
Product, environmental, fashion•craft design
- - Disply size less than 1000㎜×1000㎜×2000㎜
- - Mannequins are available in the fashion design field but must be prepared by the submitter

※ The selected entries from the first screening are prize-winning works; thus, actual pieces must be submitted before the designated date by mail or by visiting (failure to submit the actual pieces may result in removal from the list of awarded entries.)

Screening

Committee of Judges: Members from related domestic and international agencies, experts in various fields

Winning criteria for all categories

Originality

Show originality
Efficiency

Meet the functionality and efficiency for relevant purposes
Proper use of materials

Efficient and appropriate use of the materials’ properties
Comprehensive aesthetic quality

Have a comprehensive design to satisfy the aesthetic sense
Universal validity

Present sufficient references and bring about universal validity
Compliance with the manufacturing specifications

Strictly comply with the production guidelines for each category
Tastes of the consumers

Satisfy customers’ preferences

Winner Privileges

Companies whose entries win awards will receive an additional 1 point per awarded work when applying for the support program by Design Council Busan (winning record will be effective for one year)
Winning entries of organizations will be granted authorization to use the ibda certification mark
Winning entries will be supported through online/offline exhibitions and promotional activities.
Registration of Intellectual Property Right will be supported for Grand, Gold, Silver, Bronze winners, and winners in organizations of their choice (Registration fee supported)
Grand, Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners who reside abroad will be supported with a stay allowance if they wish to participate in the awards ceremony (USD300)
- Airfare is not applicable
Prize and prize money

Screening and announcement

2nd round of screening

4. 29 (수). 2026

Announcement of Results

5. 4 (월). 2026

Final announcement will be posted on the International Busan Design Award homepage (https://adp.dcb.or.kr) and Design Council Busan homepage(www.dcb.or.kr)

Awards Ceremony

Date5. 21 (목) 16:00. 2026 ~

LocationBEXCO (within the Busan Design Festival venue)

Ceremony Categories [General: Free Theme Category]

(Unit: KRW)


Award Title	No. of winners	Prize Money	Subtotal	Note
IBDA Grand	1	20,000,000	20,000,000	Award, Trophy
IBDA Gold	2	4,000,000	8,000,000	Award
IBDA Silver	4	2,000,000	8,000,000	Award
IBDA Bronze	6	1,000,000	6,000,000	Award
IBDA Winner	30	300,000	9,000,000	Award
IBDA Idea	multiple	-	-	Award
Best Designer	2	-	-	Award, Trophy
Total	51,000,000

Ceremony Categories [Youth: Free Theme Category]

(Unit: KRW)


Award Title	No. of winners	Prize Money	Total	Note
IBDA Grand	1	1,000,000	1,000,000	Award, Trophy
IBDA Gold	2	500,000	1,000,000	Award
IBDA Silver	4	400,000	1,600,000	Award
IBDA Bronze	7	300,000	2,100,000	Award
IBDA Idea	multiple	-	-	Award
Total	5,700,000

※ Organizations that are awarded will receive an additional 1 point for each winning piece when applying for the support program by Design Council Busan (winning record will be effective for one year)
※ Winning entries of organizations will be granted authorization to use the ibda certification mark
※ Winning entries will be supported for online and offline exhibitions and promotion of award-winning works
※ Registration of Intellectual Property Right will be supported for Grand, Gold, Silver, Bronze winners, and winners in organizations of their choice (Registration fee supported)
※ Grand, Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners who reside abroad will be supported with travel fees if they wish to participate in the awards ceremony (USD300)
- Airfare is not applicable
※ Prize and prize money

Retrieval of submitted entries

Retrieval of exhibited pieces: May 25 (Mon) – May 30 (Sat), 2026, 10:00-18:00

※ All entries must be retrieved within the designated period. Entries that are not reclaimed within the deadline will be donated or discarded. Design Council Busan is not responsible for any damage or lost items thereafter.

Enquiries

Design Council Busan Tel : +82 51)790-1092

For more information, please refer to the award guidelines on the official award’s website (https://adp.dcb.or.kr/en/)

※ Please kindly note that the date and time described are in Korean Standard Time(KST).

Family Site

부산디자인진흥원 산업통상자원부 부산국제교류재단 부산일보 국제신문 부산MBC 부산경남대표방송 KNN 부산디자인단체총연합회 SEDIA 월간디자인

Hosting Guidelines

Award Announcement

Submission Requirements

Submission Procedures

Online submission and 1stround screening

1stround online screening

Offline submission of actual pieces and 2nd round screening

2nd Round of Review &final results announcement

Online &offline announcement of the award

Offline submission of actual pieces and 2ndround screening

Submission Restrictions

Submission Categories

Communication Design and Service Design

Product Design and Environmental Design

Craft and Fashion Design(Free Theme)

Busan Urban Public Design

Busan Urban Public Design

※ Guidelines for AI-Assisted Design Submissions

Submission Standards

Online Submission Standards

Offline Actual Piece Submission Standards

Screening

Winning criteria for all categories

Originality

Efficiency

Proper use of materials

Comprehensive aesthetic quality

Universal validity

Compliance with the manufacturing specifications

Tastes of the consumers

Winner Privileges

Screening and announcement

2nd round of screening

Announcement of Results

Awards Ceremony

Ceremony Categories [General: Free Theme Category]

Ceremony Categories [Youth: Free Theme Category]

Retrieval of submitted entries

Enquiries

Family Site

Online submission and 1^stround screening

1^stround online screening

Offline submission of actual pieces and 2^nd round screening

2^nd Round of Review &
final results announcement

Offline submission of actual pieces and 2^ndround screening

Craft and Fashion Design
(Free Theme)