For the first time in its 20-year history, the Best of Design Awards panel includes no judge primarily expert in traditional industrial design or architecture. The 2026 Best of Design Awards announced a 7-member judging panel, featuring Dr. Anya Sharma, a biomimicry specialist, and Professor Kenji Tanaka, an expert in ethical AI design, according to the Awards Committee Press Release. Five of seven judges now come from non-traditional design fields.
Historically, design awards celebrated aesthetic and functional brilliance. The 2026 panel, however, emphasizes environmental and social impact. This marks a significant departure from previous years, where traditional design disciplines dominated.
This radical shift in judging expertise means future 'best design' accolades will likely favor projects demonstrating measurable ecological benefit and ethical innovation, redefining design excellence. The awards received a record 3,500 submissions this year, a 15% increase from 2025, according to the Awards Submission Report.
Meet the New Guard: Expertise Beyond Aesthetics
- Dr. Sharma designed self-sustaining urban ecosystems, earning a MacArthur Fellowship in 2023, according to the MacArthur Foundation.
- Professor Tanaka co-authored the 'Principles of Responsible AI in Design' framework, adopted by several tech giants, according to the IEEE Journal of Design Ethics.
- The selection committee aims to 'broaden the lens through which design impact is assessed,' moving beyond aesthetics to include social and environmental metrics, according to the Awards Committee Interview.
- Other judges include Dr. Lena Petrova, a circular economy strategist, and Marcus Thorne, a community-led urban planning advocate, according to Awards Judge Biographies.
This deliberate choice of experts with deep knowledge in systemic impact areas marks a strategic shift in the awards' core values, fostering designs that address broader societal challenges.
