The Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in the 2026 DBA Design Effectiveness Awards have been revealed. The 40 winning projects and the coveted Grand Prix award were announced on 10 March 2026 at The Design Effect in London.
The live event explored and celebrated the impact of design and featured speakers including Samsung’s President and Chief Design Officer, Mauro Porcini and technology broadcaster, journalist and author, Lara Lewington.
The DBA Design Effectiveness Awards recognize and reward the integral role design plays in transforming businesses, improving societies and enhancing people’s lives. Judged by a broad range of business leaders, and entered jointly by client and designer, these awards are the most rigorous standard for measuring the effectiveness of design.
The winners were announced during an inspiring afternoon and evening of talks, panel debates, effectiveness case studies and dinner discussions at The Design Effect, which brought together design leaders, pioneering businesses and leading lights from across the globe in spectacular surroundings at the iconic National Gallery.
Spanning work for FTSE 100 companies, international retailers, start-up challengers, consumer services, museums, public sector organizations and beyond, the 2026 winners clearly demonstrate the value of design. Sean Carney, Chair of the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards Judging Panel, noted that “the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards provide clear evidence of how design drives better business results, and how it has the ability to improve lives and shape a better world. Against a background of uncertainties, the winners’ case studies offer some amazing insights into how design can deliver better outcomes, building brands, generating value, and truly helping business and society grow inclusively and responsibly.”
Seven Gold, 22 Silver and 11 Bronze awards were celebrated at The Design Effect and GoSolr and Xfacta picked up Gold and the Grand Prix for the launch of the solar-energy brand. The business reframed the way solar energy is positioned and delivered in South Africa with a disruptive subscription model, and its brand world has driven trust with a hesitant public.
