Get Seen, Get Credibility, and Get Hired: Inside the DesignRush Design Awards

Design accounts for 94% of a brand’s first impression, making it a critical business asset, not just a creative one. But even exceptional design needs visibility to deliver results.

That’s where DesignRush’s Design Awards come in: recognizing standout work across web, app, video, logo, print, and packaging design, and turning it into real business outcomes.

Past winners have seen spikes in traffic and landed $25K+ projects directly from the exposure. In a $55.1B industry, this guide shows how recognition can amplify your credibility, attract leads, and position your work where it matters most.

What Are the Design Awards?

The Design Awards are monthly certificates of excellence granted to creative design solutions across six categories: 

• Website design
• App design
• Video design
• Logo design
• Print design
• Packaging design

Winners receive in‑depth expert commentary and are spotlighted across DesignRush channels to spark inspiration and innovation.

In other words, Design Awards shine a spotlight on creative work that excels in both aesthetics and functionality, inspiring others in that category and beyond.

Nominate a great design– if you or someone you know has created an award-worthy design, don’t hesitate to put it forward. (More on how to apply in a bit.)

What Makes Best Design Awards Unique?

DesignRush helps agencies and brands get discovered by over 15,000 agencies and 900,000 monthly B2B visitors. The Awards integrates into this ecosystem through agency directories, content articles, and social media, prioritizing excellence and generating leads.

Each winner is promoted in a dedicated article, newsletter, and social platforms, ensuring visibility where decision‑makers search for design talent.

Recent data shows DesignRush award posts generate 3–4× higher engagementon LinkedIn, and directory listings drive over 190,000 monthly visitors.

Here’s what sets this awards program apart:

Quality at the Core

We put outstanding work front and center. Winning designs are chosen purely on merit – intelligent design that advances the craft, not on popularity votes or pay-to-play. This ensures that the recognition genuinely means your design is among the best.

And in a business context, quality design matters: companies in the top quartile of design effectiveness see 56% higher total shareholder returns than their competitors. The Design Awards aims to celebrate that kind of impactful design excellence.

Global Exposure

Each winning design is showcased on DesignRush’s high-traffic platform – including a featured article on the site, social media coverage, and email newsletter spotlights.

With an international audience of business leaders, this means your work gets seen by potential clients and partners around the world. By creating an ultimate library of top designs, we educate and inspire the community and drive leads to the creators.

Credibility and Leads

An award from DesignRush isn’t just a trophy for your shelf; it’s a stamp of credibility recognized in the industry. Being able to say your design is an “award-winning design” builds trust with prospective clients (who often compare agencies based on third-party endorsements).

It’s part of a broader strategy: think of it as adding a powerful reference in your marketing. For example, most B2B buyers look for third-party validation like awards or certifications when vetting partners.

Design Awards gives you that edge, which can directly translate into more inquiries and business opportunities.

Why Join Best Design Awards?

Winning a Design Award comes with far more than bragging rights. In practical terms, this means more eyes on your work, more trust in your brand, and ultimately more opportunities for growth.

Industry Exposure & Credibility

Winning isn’t just prestige; it delivers measurable business value.

• Case Study: Agency “Konpo” saw 200 new site visits within a month of winning.
• 555 award page clicks per winner per month on average — plus 1000 clicks from featured design and directory traffic.

Trust Boost via Award Badges

Award badges serve as trust signals akin to eCommerce trust seals. Studies estimate trust badges can increase conversion rates by up to 42%.

Here are some specific benefits past winners have highlighted from their experience:

Surge in Client Inquiries

“The experience ... was brilliant, from the ease of submitting the design to ... [reading] a fantastic article about it. We have since received many more branding project enquiries ...” says Richard Longmuir of Launch Scotland, who found that the award article brought a wave of new leads for their agency.

Being featured as a winner put their work in front of high-intent clients searching for top designers.

Validation & Motivation

For Piter Moreira (a one-person design studio), the recognition was a huge morale boost: “It’s always great to receive this kind of recognition, which gives strength to continue working hard along the same path.”

An award signals that you’re on the right track creatively, reinforcing your confidence and reputation. This kind of validation can be especially powerful for small agencies or freelancers looking to establish themselves.

Smooth, Professional Process

Several winners note how easy and rewarding the process was. “Quick and easy without any hassle,” is how Charlotte Burrows of Slice Design described the submission and judging experience. “The process ...and [the Awards Manager] was fantastic throughout.”

The DesignRush team guides nominees through from submission to promotion, making it a stress-free way to get your work evaluated by experts.

Tangible ROI

Design Awards have led directly to business wins. Jean Massad of Konpo reported that aside from bringing in 200 new site visits within a month, winning also landed them a $25K USD project that helped them meet key performance targets.

“Winning helped us reach our KPIs, access a new pool of clients, and provided valuable traffic and exposure.”

This is a prime example of an award translating into real revenue – a new client project gained because the award raised their profile. It underscores how powerful the added exposure can be for your bottom line.

Best Design Awards Badge

Design Awards winner badges across categories (Website, App, Video, Logo, Print, Packaging).

Winners receive a badge in several formats to display on their sites, social profiles, emails, and even marketing materials. These badges aren’t just decorative – they serve as trust signals to clients.

In fact, adding an award badge can have a direct impact on business: one online store saw a 72.05% increase in conversions after putting an award badge on their website’s navigation bar

Every recognized design comes with a set of official Design Awards badges for the winner to use. Display them proudly on your website, portfolio, social media, email signature, or even on product packaging.

An award badge immediately tells viewers that your work is endorsed by an industry-leading platform, which builds confidence in your quality.

This kind of social proof can tip the scales when a potential client is comparing agencies – it’s an external validation of your capabilities. (As the statistic above shows, consumers and clients do respond to these signals.)

Valuable DesignRush Promotions: What You Get

Winning designs aren’t just left to sit on a shelf – DesignRush actively promotes winners to maximize their exposure.

Our platform is a powerful marketing engine that attracts over 900,000 B2B visitors every month (mostly decision-makers looking for top agencies)

If you win, your design will be put in front of this audience in multiple ways:

1. Featured Article

Your work will be the star of a dedicated write-up in DesignRush’s “Best Designs” section, complete with expert commentary.

This article highlights why your design won and can be a great asset to share with clients (essentially, a professionally written case study of your work).

2. Social Media Blast

We will share your winning design across our social channels – reaching 128,000+ followers on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Award announcements tend to generate high engagement, meaning more visibility for your brand. And it’s not just about likes; these posts can drive traffic to your site and spark conversations with potential clients.

3. B2B Newsletter Feature

Your win will be included in our newsletter sent to 25,000+ subscribers composed of industry professionals.

This is prime inbox real estate, reaching CEOs, CMOs, and founders who trust DesignRush for insights. One mention here can put you on the radar of dozens of qualified leads.

4. Agency Directory & Badge Placement

Beyond the initial announcements, winners get a lasting boost.

On DesignRush’s agency directory (where businesses search for agencies to hire), award-winning agencies are highlighted, which draws more clicks.

On average, DesignRush award winners receive about 2,200 additional monthly clicks from the awards pages and featured design profiles. Plus, they benefit from 190,000+ monthly views on the directory listings where they appear.

This sustained traffic can lead to a steady stream of inquiries over time.

5. Certificate of Recognition

Winners also receive a formal certificate to commemorate the achievement.

While largely symbolic, it’s another piece of collateral that underscores your expertise – useful for display in your office or attaching to credentials in proposals.

Authority & Market Insights: The Case for Investing in Design

The business case for great design isn’t just anecdotal; it’s backed by hard data. Here’s why design excellence translates directly into measurable business performance:

• Companies prioritizing UX outperform competitors by 219%, and 69% are likelier to exceed business objectives.
• A McKinsey report reveals that firms with strong design grow 32% faster and achieve 56% higher shareholder returns than average.
• Mature design thinking practices often deliver 71–107% ROI.
• The specialized design services market is projected to grow to $229.53 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%.
• The creative design market, encompassing agencies and freelance work in areas like graphic design, web, UX/UI, and animation, is valued at $6.89B in 2025 with a notably higher CAGR of 7.7% through 2033, driven by digital content consumption and software innovation.

How Does DesignRush Select The Winners?

We take the evaluation process seriously to ensure that each Design Award reflects truly exceptional work.

Each submission is reviewed by a team of design specialists with deep category expertise, including professionals with backgrounds in Fortune 500 companies. This enterprise-level perspective ensures the judging process is both creatively rigorous and business-savvy.

Here's how winners are selected:

Dedicated Panels per Category

Each of the six main categories (web, app, video, logo, print, packaging) has its own panel of judges who specialize in that field.

This means your design is assessed by people who understand the nuances of your medium. We even have subcategories (e.g., best movie poster design, best retail packaging design, etc.) to make sure entries are compared fairly and nuances of each niche are considered.

Rigorous Scoring Criteria

Every submission is judged on six main criteria to ensure a well-rounded evaluation:

1. Impact: Does the design immediately grab attention or evoke a strong response? Does it stand out from the clutter?
   
   
2. Creative Solutions: How innovative is the design approach? We look for fresh perspectives or techniques. Is there clever problem-solving or use of new tools/materials that elevate the design?
   
   
3. Functionality: Beyond looks, does the design serve its intended purpose effectively? For example, if it’s a website, is it user-friendly and does it achieve its goals? If it’s packaging, does it protect and present the product well?
   
   
4. Execution: What is the design’s level of craftsmanship? Is it pixel-perfect and detail-oriented? Were best practices followed to ensure a polished final product?
   
   
5. Branding: Does the design reflect and enhance the brand it represents? Consistency with brand identity and values is key. Design that doesn’t match the brand’s personality might not be a great brand design.
   
   
6. User Experience (UX): Particularly for digital and packaging categories, we assess accessibility and user-friendliness. Is the website/app/video easy and enjoyable to use? Is the package intuitive to open and handle? A design that delights users will score high here.

Evaluation Process

Judges score designs based on the above criteria using standardized scoring sheets.

They often provide commentary as well. The panel then deliberates to compare top contenders.

But to actually win, you must submit your design for consideration (so don’t be shy about entering!).

With this process, winners are chosen through a balanced, merit-based process.

Whether you’re a freelancer with a single brilliant project or an agency with a robust portfolio, everyone is on equal footing in terms of evaluation.

Who Can Apply For Best Design Awards?

One of the great things about this program is its inclusivity: any creative professional or team can apply, as long as the design is original and fits into one of the six categories.

• Design Agencies: If you run or work at an agency specializing in design (digital, branding, advertising, etc.), you are encouraged to submit your best client projects.
  
  Agencies often use awards to boost their credibility – and indeed, many agency owners and CMOs actively seek out award-winning partners for their own needs.
  
  
• Freelance Designers: You don’t have to be a big company. Freelancers and independent designers are absolutely welcome.
  
  In fact, smaller creatives sometimes produce amazingly bold work that stands out. Design Awards can be a great way to get your name out there and prove that even a one-person studio can beat the big agencies on creativity.
  
  
• In-House Designers & Brands: If you’re a designer working within a company (or the brand itself), you can also nominate a project. We do allow brand submissions.
  
  For example, if a brand’s internal team or a startup founder created a fantastic design for their own product, they can submit it.
  
  If an agency or freelancer helped, just make sure to credit them in the submission; we believe in recognizing all contributors.
  
  Design is a collaborative process, and we will gladly credit both the brand and its design partner if a submission wins.

Important: The work you submit must be original and free of plagiarism. Any design that is found to be copied or not your own will be disqualified immediately.

Protecting the integrity of the awards is crucial, it ensures that those who do win truly deserve it.

In summary, the Design Awards is open to anyone: agency teams, solo designers, companies, as long as you have a unique design that fits our categories. If you believe in your work, we want to see it!

Pro tip:  Before submitting, double-check that your design meets the criteria and is presented in the best light. If it’s a website, ensure links and pages are live. If it’s a video, provide a high-quality version. A little preparation goes a long way to showcase your work effectively.

Submission Packages

• EARTH ($150): Best for independent creatives.
• MOONSHOT ($490): Ideal for startups building portfolios.
• SUPERNOVA ($990): Adds agency listing to award benefits.

These packages offer different levels of exposure (e.g., Premium includes an Agency Directory listing, which is a valuable year-round marketing asset). Fees cover evaluation but do not guarantee a win.

How To Apply For Best Design Awards?

Applying is straightforward and hassle-free. Here’s a step-by-step guide to nominating your design:

1. Fill Out the Online Form: Head over to the Design Awards nomination form on the DesignRush website (available via the “Submit” link on our Awards page).

You’ll need to provide some basic information about you and your design:

• Your Name – (If it’s a team, the primary contact or leader’s name.)
• Your Email & Company Info – So we can reach you with results or questions.
• Best Design Category – Select which of the six categories your design falls under (web, app, etc.). Choose the one category that best fits the design.
• Design URL – A link where we can see the design online. This could be a live website or app, a portfolio page, a video link, etc. Ensure it’s accessible (not behind a password) so judges can review it.
• Project Short Description– This is important. Write a brief note explaining your design and what makes it great. Think of this as your chance to tell the judges the story behind the project: the objectives, challenges, creative solutions, and any results or impact. A compelling description can help the judges appreciate the context and innovation of your work.

2. Submit the Form: Once all fields are filled, hit submit. You’ll receive a confirmation email that your nomination has been received. Our team will then queue your submission for evaluation in the upcoming award cycle.

You may submit multiple designs across categories if each fulfills the submission criteria.

3. Await the Results: Winners are decided by the end of each month, with announcements on the 5th of the following month (more details below in FAQs).

If you win, we’ll contact you with the good news and next steps on how we’ll promote your design! If not, don’t be discouraged – every submission is also a chance to get on our radar for other features (we often reach out to non-winning participants for things like design trend articles, directory inclusion, etc., as noted below).

Final Word: Creative Excellence Deserves a Bigger Stage

More than a competition, DesignRush’s Design Awards is a platform for growth and learning. Not only do participants put their work on the map for thousands of potential clients. They also join a community that values cutting-edge design.

Even simply browsing the latest winners can spark new ideas and benchmark your work against industry leaders.

For agencies and designers aiming to stay ahead, the insights and exposure gained here are invaluable.

If you believe in the power of your design, don’t hesitate to nominate it. The recognition could be the catalyst that propels your business to the next level.

And even if you’re not ready to submit yet, consider incorporating award pursuits into your strategy.

Design accolades have proven benefits from client trust to team morale (Gallup found that employees who feel recognized are 45% less likely to leave their company within two years). It’s all part of building a brand known for excellence.

Ready to submit? Share your work and pave the way for creative recognition that drives results today!

Design awards aren’t just about prestige anymore. They’re proof of ROI, visibility, and trust, especially when judged by Fortune 500-caliber experts.

For agencies and forward-focused brands, third-party validation is more than a badge.

Need Recognition That Converts Into Revenue?

DesignRush connects top-performing creative agencies with decision-makers who care about results.

Explore our Agency Directory to find top-tier partners in:

1. Top Web Design Agencies
2. Top Branding Agencies
3. Top UX/UI Design Companies

You can also visit our Awards section to see how strategic design is turning credibility into client wins.

Get recognized. Get trusted. Get hired.

Other Best Design Awards FAQs

Q: How many winners will be chosen every month and what will they receive?

A: There will be a total of 6 monthly winners — one for each category. They will receive:

• A Dedicated Article in the Best Design Awards section
• Newsletter Promotions
• Social Media Promotions
• Official Best Design Awards Badge
• Certificate of Recognition

Q: When and where are the winners announced?

A: The winners are informed via email in the first week of the month, while they are formally announced on DesignRush.com every 5th of each month, followed by an email newsletter and a social media campaign the following week.

Candidates who failed to secure an award will receive another email with more opportunities for exposure and lead generation on DesignRush.

Q: In how many categories can I submit my designs?

A: You can submit as many designs in as many categories as you want – as long as they fulfill the criteria for each category.

Each design+category entry counts as a separate submission (and fee), however. We encourage you to submit your very best work rather than every project, for the strongest chances. Quality over quantity! 

Q: What happens if my design doesn’t win?

A:Not winning a Best Design Award is not the end of the road – far from it.  The Design Awards is just one of the many perks of connecting with DesignRush. After announcing the winners, our team will get in touch with you for other opportunities like Design Trends articles, Agency Directory and Marketplace.

Q: What happens if a brand receives a badge, but their design agency goes unrecognized for their work?

A: We strongly believe in crediting the creators. Design is often a collaborative effort between brands and their agencies or freelancers.

If a brand submits a design and it wins, we will gladly extend the award to the agency/freelancer partner who worked on it, once their involvement is confirmed.

This means the agency would also be recognized as a winner. So, brands should always indicate their design partners in the submission form.

We welcome entries from both sides – agencies, designers, and brands – and ensure everyone gets the credit they deserve. (This policy exists because we know great creative solutions rarely happen in isolation – they’re the product of collaboration.)

Q: Are there any costs to enter?

A: Yes, there are three submission package options:

EARTH ($150)

Best for: Independent creatives, freelancers, or first-time entrants looking for expert-level validation and entry-level recognition.

Includes:

• Awards submission
• Your design reviewed by our Fortune 500 jury of senior creatives and strategists

MOONSHOT ($490)

Best for: Small agencies or early-stage studios aiming to build brand presence and gain measurable B2B visibility.

Includes:

• Awards submission
• Your design reviewed by our Fortune 500 jury
• Featured in our monthly newsletter (25,000 subscribers)
• Dedicated design article on DesignRush.com
• 1,000+ estimated B2B views across channels

SUPERNOVA ($990)

Best for: Established agencies seeking maximum exposure, lead generation, and media coverage beyond the DesignRush platform.

Includes:

• Awards submission
• Your design reviewed by our Fortune 500 jury
• Featured in our monthly newsletter (25,000 subscribers)
• Dedicated design article on DesignRush.com
• 1,000+ estimated B2B views
• Exclusive press release with syndication
• 200–500 estimated site clicks
• 150–300 estimated media pickups

Each submission is evaluated on merit, pricing only affects promotional reach, not award outcome. Choose the tier that matches your visibility goals and marketing ambitions.

Q: Which package should I get?

A: It depends on your goals and budget. 

• EARTH ($150): Ideal for freelancers or first-timers who want to test the waters. You get your design evaluated and, if you win, all the winner’s benefits. This is a cost-effective option to participate.
• MOONSHOT ($490): Best for small agencies or startups who are serious about showcasing their work. It includes some additional promotional considerations (like possibly being featured in relevant sections) that can boost your portfolio’s visibility even if you don’t win.
• SUPERNOVA($990): For agencies that want to make the most of DesignRush exposure. This package bundles the awards submission with a premium Agency Listing on our platform (valued on its own) plus other perks. Essentially, your agency gets marketed on DesignRush even outside of the award article. If you’re aiming to significantly raise your profile and can invest in marketing, this is the all-in option.

Regardless of the package, the judging criteria remain the same. Paying more does not influence your odds of winning. It only affects the additional exposure you get through DesignRush services.

Q: I paid the submission fee. Does it mean my design/s will be featured? 

A: The submission packages allow us to have your design/s evaluated by the jury. It neither guarantees that your entry will win the competition nor is it an assurance to be featured on DesignRush as a Best Design.