A' Design Awards opens 2026 entries for information processing hardware

A' Design Award & Competition has opened submissions for its 2026 Information Processing Tools and Hardware Design Awards, with entries due Sept. 30, 2026 and results set for May 1, 2027. The competition spotlights servers, processors, storage, networking and other hardware that powers computing and digital infrastructure.

Why it matters: - The competition puts a global spotlight on hardware that supports computing, data processing and digital infrastructure. - Winners can gain PR, marketing, publicity and media distribution support tied to the A' Design Prize. - The awards are open to a wide range of hardware and technology professionals, expanding access beyond traditional product-design teams.

What happened: - A' Design Award & Competition announced its call for entries for the 2026 A' International Information Processing Tools and Hardware Design Awards. - The competition is open worldwide to designers, engineers, companies and specialists working in information processing hardware and computing systems. - Eligible work must have been developed within the last 10 years. - The entry deadline is Sept. 30, 2026. - Results will be announced on May 1, 2027.

The details: - Eligible categories include servers, workstations, processors, data storage devices, networking hardware, input devices, output devices, supercomputers and other high-performance computing systems. - The competition uses a two-phase process that begins with a complimentary preliminary evaluation. - Projects that pass the preliminaries can move to nomination, which carries a nominal fee. - Entries are judged anonymously by an international jury of more than 300 experts. - Judges include computer engineers, hardware designers, computer scientists, network specialists, information technology professionals and industrial designers. - Evaluation focuses on performance, functionality, efficiency, usability, reliability, technical innovation and design excellence. - Professional-edition laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes a Design Excellence Certificate, lifetime use of the winner logo, a yearbook, exhibitions in Italy, an award trophy, gala-night access, translations, entry to prime clubs and inclusion in several A' rankings and classification platforms. - Winners also receive an exclusive interview, a press release, a prepared press kit and distributed media outreach. - The press kits are sent to thousands of accredited press members, and dozens of press partners have already confirmed they will publish selected winning projects. - The awards page for sub-categories is available at award description. - Past winners are listed at winner archive. - Participants can register at entry form.

Between the lines: - The program is built to turn design awards into a visibility engine, not just a trophy program. - The large jury and anonymous review process are positioned to frame the awards as merit-based and technically focused. - The broad eligibility list suggests the competition is targeting the full hardware stack, from end-user devices to core infrastructure.

What's next: - Designers, hardware manufacturers, IT firms and related professionals can submit entries before the Sept. 30 deadline. - Award decisions will follow in 2027, with laureates then eligible for the promotional package and press distribution support. - A' Design Awards says more information is available at designaward.com.

The bottom line: - The 2026 competition is a global open call for information-processing hardware, paired with a strong publicity package for winners.