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How to Win an A+Product Award: Editor’s Tips for a Standout Submission
The 2026 A+Product Awards is officially open for entries — and with it, a global opportunity for manufacturers and designers to have their best work recognized by the world’s leading architects. Each product entered will be reviewed by a high-profile jury of design professionals from firms like Foster + Partners, Olson Kundig, SOM, HDR, Gensler, and many more. Get your entry started today:
Whether you’re submitting a cutting-edge material, a beautifully engineered lighting fixture, or a furniture system built for flexibility, this is your moment to stand out.
Below are four expert tips to help you craft the strongest possible submission — and increase your chances of taking home an A+Product Award.
1. Assemble submission materials that tell a clear story.
To make your entry shine, gather the following essentials:
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Product Name
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Launch Date (month/year)
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Product Description (300 words max)
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Collaborators (optional)
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Selected Categories
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Graphic Assets: Up to 12 total — images (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, max 100MB each) and/or one video (MP4, MPG, FLV, max 2GB)
The product description is your first chance to make an impression. Keep it concise, but ensure it communicates what makes your product different — not just what it is, but why it was created and how it responds to the needs of architects, designers and their clients. Emphasize function, material decisions and the problem your product solves through creativity, elegance or innovation (or a combination of all three!).
Your graphic assets should elevate that narrative. We strongly recommend going beyond catalog shots to include:
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Product installed in a real architectural project
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In-progress or behind-the-scenes fabrication photos
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Diagrams or animations showing adaptability or movement
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A short video demonstrating the product in use
The jury is made up of designers and design-oriented thinkers — help them see how your product performs and makes a positive impact in real space.
Kurtain by Luxxbox, A+Product Awards Jury Winner in the Pendant Lighting category.
2. Choose your categories strategically.
This year’s program is structured around two major category groups, and entering in both is the best way to maximize your chances of success. Consider which of the following “Best in Product Type” categories are the most accurate fit for your product, and which “Best of the Year” accolades would best reflect your brand’s ethos and mission.
?️ Best in Product Type
These categories recognize excellence across verticals like:
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Façades and Cladding
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Doors, Windows, and Glazing
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Flooring and Ceilings
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Lighting and Furniture
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Kitchen & Bath
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Smart Technology
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Building Systems
? Best of the Year
These highlight products that lead in key areas shaping design today:
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Innovation
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Sustainability
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Flexible Design
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Health and Wellness
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Positive Impact
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Residential or Commercial Design
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Architectural Design
Products must be available now or launching by February 28, 2026 to qualify. Not sure which categories to enter? Reach out to productawards@architizer.com — the team will happily advise.
Maximo Thermo Clear Radiata by Maximo, A+Product Awards Popular Choice Winner in the Building Envelopes, Cladding, & Roofing category.
3. Tailor your entry to the judging criteria.
The best place to start when considering how to describe your products and present them visually for jurors is to read the A+Product Awards Judging Criteria.
Your product undoubtedly looks good, functions well and improves the architecture or space in which it is placed, but it is vital your submission materials are able to communicate this in a concise manner for jurors. Take a read of the three key areas in which products will be judged:
Aesthetics
Does your product look as good as it performs? Jurors will consider visual quality, form, detailing, and its relationship to architecture. The importance of aesthetics varies by category — it’s critical in Lighting or Furniture, for instance, while less so in Building Systems.
Performance
How well does the product do what it’s meant to do? Jurors will assess technical functionality, innovation, material choice, and how it solves specific design or construction challenges.
Impact
Will this product shape the future of building? Impact can be environmental, social, or conceptual — anything that signals leadership and forward-thinking. Long-term change is just as valuable as immediate application.
Make sure your submission clearly communicates how your product meets these benchmarks.
NAGOMI X HADI TEHERANI by Mirage, A+Product Awards Jury and Popular Choice Winner in the Hard Surfacing, Tiles & Stone category.
4. Speak to this year’s theme: “The New Era of Craft”
For 2026, the A+Product Awards puts craft front and center. Architects are moving beyond generic, mass-produced components. They’re seeking products with soul — those that reflect authenticity, material integrity and technical finesse. To align with this theme:
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Use your description to highlight the making process, from detailing to fabrication.
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Showcase how your product expresses material richness or fine craftsmanship.
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Include close-up images of textures, finishes or joints that reveal the care behind the design.
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If applicable, mention collaborations with craftspeople, fabricators, or artisans.
Products that embrace this deeper level of care and intention will resonate strongly with jurors this year.
Winning an A+Product Award means more than a trophy (though you’ll get one — custom-designed by Society Awards, creators of the Golden Globes and Emmys). It means being recognized by architects as a leader in design and innovation. It means being included in the A+Product List, shared with 4.5M+ professionals worldwide. And it means being part of a movement that’s redefining how we build.Once you have gathered your submission materials together, you can enter them immediately via the Enter the A+Product Awards. Good luck with your submissions, from all of us at Architizer — we can’t wait to share your products with architects and designers around the world!
Featured image: VetraSpan-L by Sentech Architectural Systems, A+Product Awards Jury Winner in the Glass & Glazing category.
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