Entries are officially open for the prestigious Compasso d’Oro International Design Award 2027, inviting designers, brands, and institutions from around the globe to submit their most innovative work. Organized by the Association for Industrial Design (ADI) in collaboration with the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the upcoming edition centers on the compelling theme “Design for Humanity at Play.”
The submission window remains open until January 20, 2027, targeting projects developed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2026, that are linked to participants of Expo 2027 Belgrade. By framing play as an essential mechanism for human connection, shared joy, and speculative thinking, the competition challenges the international creative community to examine how thoughtfully crafted design can foster meaningful interaction, public participation, and community resilience across nine distinct project categories.
A Decade of Global Expos Explored Through Three Thematic Lenses
For the 2027 iteration, ADI’s esteemed award interprets the concept of play through three distinct yet interconnected lenses, guiding participants as they develop spatial, product, and systemic solutions. The first lens, “Power of Play,” centers heavily on individual health, psychological wellbeing, and environmental sustainability, looking at how recreational concepts can heal and support modern lifestyles. The second lens, “Play for Progress,” shifts the focus toward scientific inquiry and creative discovery, deliberately leveraging trial and error as a vital engine for technological and artistic innovation. Finally, the third lens, “Play Between and Together,” views universal human connectors such as sport, culture, and music as powerful tools capable of rebuilding fractured community bonds in an increasingly divided world.
Across a broad spectrum of categories spanning living environments, lighting design, food systems, advanced communication, and social innovation, the global call urges creators to anchor their spatial and product solutions firmly in shared human experiences. This initiative directly builds upon a rich, established tradition of international Compasso d’Oro exhibitions connected directly with major World Expos, including notable showcases in Milan in 2015, Hangzhou in 2017, and Osaka in 2025. This long-standing collaborative framework has been officially solidified by a comprehensive ten-year Memorandum of Understanding established between ADI and the BIE, designed to accompany major global Expos through the year 2035 and offer participating creators extraordinary international exposure.
Some Designs Win Awards, Some Become History
Conceived originally by master architect and designer Gio Ponti in 1954 and managed continuously by ADI since 1958, the Compasso d’Oro holds a singular, revered place in the history and evolution of global design culture. On May 24, 2027, a distinguished international jury will convene to evaluate the submitted entries and select projects that represent absolute excellence, ultimately conferring 20 coveted Compasso d’Oro awards and up to 50 honorable mentions. In addition to these project honors, the prestigious awards ceremony will present up to three International Career Awards, recognizing non-Italian designers, innovative companies, influential institutions, and educational schools that have profoundly advanced the global culture of design.
Selected finalists from the competition will enjoy a high-profile showcase inside a dedicated Compasso d’Oro pavilion located within the Best Practices area at Expo 2027 Belgrade, remaining on view to the global public through August 15, 2027. This exhibition will be thoughtfully framed by a series of six thematic weeks featuring dynamic public programming, expert panels, and interactive installations designed to engage visitors of all backgrounds. Once the exposition concludes, all awarded works will permanently enter the esteemed ADI Compasso d’Oro Historical Collection housed at the ADI Design Museum in Milan. Through this permanent archival process, contemporary professional recognition is transformed into an enduring historical legacy, securing the winning designers’ places in the annals of industrial design history alongside past legendary icons like Thomas Heatherwick’s Spun chair and Richard Sapper’s groundbreaking work.
