Winner Insights on the Benefits of Entering

Where Good Design Meets Good Business: Hear From Award Winners

Recognition through the Australian Good Design Awards carries weight across industry, signalling rigour, credibility and leadership in design.

Designers and organisations are invited to reflect on the impact of their work and how design can lead through purpose, innovation and real-world influence. There are now less than five weeks left  to enter.

We spoke to previous entrants of the Awards to understand what motivated them to enter, what winning meant to them and what keeps them coming back. 

---

RECOGNITION AND CREDIBILITY 

Boost your brand’s reputation, bolster credibility and be recognised for the amazing work you do. 

Soren Luckins, Founder of Buro North who received a 2025 Australian Good Design Award Best in Class Award in the Design Research category for their project – Sydney Metro Central Station – Customer Centred Design, shared his insights on how important the Awards were to them.

“The Australian Good Design Awards carry serious industry credibility — they are respected by peers, collaborators and partners we deeply admire, which makes this recognition especially meaningful,” he shared.

“The Awards process forces a moment of pause in the middle of busy practice, projects and life to reflect, look back, and acknowledge the rigour, collaboration and care that went into the work. The Award has had a tangible impact on our studio.”

NETWORKING AND INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS

The Awards bring together companies, designers and industry experts, providing opportunities to make new connections, build relationships and meet potential clients.

Martin Rowland, Founder of GX Outdoors, received a 2025 Australian Good Design Award in the Product Design category for Pandanus: Designed to Grow. Infinite Shade. Zero Waste.

He said attending the Awards created valuable connections across the design community.

“Attending the Awards Ceremony was a real highlight for our team – hearing directly from other recipients about their challenges, ideas, and the impact they’re creating was incredibly motivating and reinforced the sense of being part of a design collective that is raising the bar on what good design can achieve.”

VISIBILITY

An Australian Good Design Award places work in front of a national and international design stage. It helps you increase visibility and awareness of your work and enhance public recognition of your brand.

Bonnie Shaw, Founder and Director at the Municipal Association of Victoria, received a 2025 Australian Good Design Award in the Policy Design category for MAVlab – Local Government Innovation.

“With a small team and limited budget, this Award is a megaphone to help raise our profile and reach a wider audience in order to inspire more practical and transformative work in local government in service of us all,” she said.

“The Australian Good Design Award played a significant role in demonstrating to a range of stakeholders (including our board) that this work has a vital and legitimate place in government.”

MARKET DIFFERENTIATION 

In competitive markets, independent recognition helps distinguish you from others. The Awards provide a trusted benchmark that signals innovation, quality and leadership to clients, partners and stakeholders.

Eleanor Pratt from Boost Design, won a 2025 Australian Good Design Award in Product Design for the M60 Survey Camera.

“They [The Awards] offer a high-impact way to update existing clients on our latest achievements, while providing new clients with an immediate shorthand for excellence by providing a third-party ‘tick’ of approval,” she explained.

“Having our work verified by an international Jury of experts has shifted the conversation from ‘what we do’ to ‘how well we do it,’ firmly establishing us as experts in our field.”

INSPIRATION

Entering creates space to pause and reflect on the ideas, process and impact behind a project. Recognition can renew momentum and inspire teams to continue pushing design forward.

Tanya Wood, Founder of Tanya Wood Landscape Architecture, received a 2025 Australian Good Design Award in the Built Environment category for Landscapes for Well-Being. She reflected on her experience entering the Awards. 

“The whole experience has been inspiring from start to finish – from submitting my work, to seeing it recognised internationally, to celebrating at the Awards Ceremony – it reinforced the value of thoughtful landscape architecture,” she shared.

“It’s rare to have an awards program that combines prestige, visibility, and genuine enjoyment – and it’s an experience I’ll always remember.”

FEEDBACK

The evaluation and judging process can provide valuable feedback, which can be used to improve current and future projects and can help companies improve the quality of their design processes and products.

Matteo Salval, Project Director at JPW, received two accolades last year, an Australian Good Design Award for 1 Elizabeth and a Good Design Award Gold for Sydney Metro Martin Place, both in the Built Environment category.

He said the evaluation process was both easy to navigate and rigorous and that receiving an Award affirmed the value of the team’s work.

“For the team, it validated the discipline, care and rigour invested in balancing design ambition with complex civic, heritage and stakeholder considerations. It was an affirmation that thoughtful, context-driven design can deliver enduring public value.

“The process is rigorous yet accessible, and the feedback culture reinforces a sense that the Awards are part of a broader design advocacy mission rather than a purely competitive exercise.”

MARKETING AND PR

The Australian Good Design Award trademark provides a recognised symbol of design excellence. This recognition supports brand storytelling and strengthens how organisations communicate the value of their work.

Benjamin Bray, Founding Partner at Nakatomi, received the 2025 Australian Good Design Best in Class Award in Digital Design for Ovum.

He said that recognition through the Australian Good Design Awards strengthens how studios communicate the value of their work to clients and industry.

“The Good Design Tick, whether spotted on an office shelf or a website banner, is an immediate signal of craft, originality and quality.

“It’s one of the rare Awards that authentically heroes the work, supports the industry, and holds itself to the same high standard as the incredible entrants it consistently attracts.

“The Australian Good Design Awards is essential for the industries it celebrates and remains the only Award we truly strive for each year, and the one we’re most proud to hold.”

ACCESS TO NEW MARKETS

Success in these Awards can open doors to new markets, allowing companies to expand their reach and grow their business.

Tom Loefler, Founder, CEO and Designer of Hullbot, won the 2025 Australian Good Design Award of the Year for their Product Design project Hullbot Autonomous Ship Hull Cleaning System

He said that the recognition helped accelerate global partnerships and growth.

“It’s [The Award] helped us build trust with major shipping operators, accelerate international partnerships, and expand our reach across new markets,” Tom explained. 

“It’s a powerful signal that Australian innovation can lead global change in sustainable maritime technology. The award proved to be a massive boon during our Series A investment run. We have a product with proven results that operates globally, and its design also recognised and validated by the wider community.”

---

Less than five weeks remain to enter the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards. 

As Australia’s highest international design accolade, the program recognises work that sets new benchmarks for design, innovation and impact.

Explore our guide on how to write the perfect entry, with practical tips from the jury.
Enter the Awards here.