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SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 
CRITERIA
The emphasis of the GOOD DESIGN program is on quality design of the highest form, function, and aesthetic standard beyond ordinary consumer products and graphics.
The Chicago Athenaeum's GOOD DESIGN program forwards the ideals of a design process that embodies product excellence and endurance and strong public identity.
Submissions to the program are judged by a jury of distinguished design professionals and leading industry specialists and design press on criteria established in the original 1950 program for the highest aesthetic in terms of innovative design, new technologies, form, materials, construction, concept, function, utility, and energy efficiency, and sensitivity to the environment.
Awarded design firms and manufacturers have the right to enter into a limited legal licensing agreement to use of the Museum's GOOD DESIGN logo to mark and identify the selected product or graphic in their marketing, publications, promotions, and communication campaigns as a public symbol of product and service quality. This public seal of approval immediately informs consumers to understand that the selected product and graphic meets the most rigorous test and criteria for absolute design excellence.
GOOD DESIGN is an international symbol of a company's firm commitment to innovation and superior design embodiment. All materials and products are accessed into the Museum's Permanent Design Collection and exhibited in the United States and abroad.
2026 Award Program.
Due to numerous requests applications
have been extended for June 15, 2026.
HOW TO APPLY
FILLING OUT THE ELECTRONIC FORM
In order to apply you need to visit awardapplication.com Organization Page or click the online submission link below. You will need to create an account byproviding your company information. If you already have created an account, please log in with your username and password. All required fields must be filled in. If a required field left blank the form will be rejected. After a successful application, you will receive an email with a unique ID numberfor your submission, a pre-invoice for your submission and a pdf document with bank details in case you choose to pay with bank transfer. If you paid by credit card, final invoices are sent to all clients periodically after we check all transactions processed correctly. You can always log in to your account to see past submissions or download your past invoices.
PROJECT DETAILS & MATERIAL
Credits
All information submitted will be used for the jury presentation, exhibition, and Award Publication Yearbook. Please ensure that possible changes or mistakes according to credits, images and project description may incur costs. During your submission, please be advised that the information you provide in each section is to be filled out correctly. (ie. Legal firm names, addresses, designer names, product names and descriptions etc.) You are responsible for accurate spelling and details.
Project Description
All project descriptions should be edited in English, should be ready to use in any type of online presentation or publication and should not be more than 1000 words. There is a specific text tab to include it when submitting so please do not forward it with email or any other way to us.
Project Images
1. ASPECT RATIO 16:9 (1920px Χ 1080px Landscape or Portrait).
2. ASPECT RATIO 1:1 (1080px X 1080px Square format).
You can upload images in mixed formats.
3. RESOLUTION: 300dpi/image, max 6MB per file.
The file names should use explicitly Latin characters. (Please upload 8-10 images)
4. FILE TYPE: JPG, PNG.
5. FLOORPLANS, ELEVATIONS: Upload 1 pdf file with your floor plans and elevations (max 25mb).
*This filed is mantatory only for Architecture and Environments projects
Notes
• Please upload plans, sections, elevations, or blueprints for the jury process using our form and upload system. For additional images, 3D renderings, or plans, please share a public Dropbox folder and send the link to curatorial@chicagoathenaeum.org
• Please contact Jennifer Nyholm. If you need further assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact us on +1 815 777 4444
Product Categories
Anything produced and/or designed from January 2023 to the present is eligible including: Bath and Accessories, Building Materials, Children’s Products , Electronics, Environments, Floor and Wall, Covering, Furniture, Hardware, Household, Industrial, Installation, Kitchen and Appliances, Lighting, Medical, Office Products, Personal, Personal Experience, Pet Products, Recycling, Retail Fittings, Robotics, Safety and Security, Sports and Recreation, Tabletop, Textiles, Tools, Transportation.
Graphic Design Categories
Anything produced and/or designed from January 2023 to the present is eligible including: Books, Magazines, Websites, Advertisements, Catalogues, Corporate Identity, Visual Identity, Annual Reports, Handbooks, Posters, Signage, Labels, Packaging, Product Communication, Typography, Atmosphere, Sales Promotion, Digital and Media Interfaces.
Submission Fee
The fee is $425.00 USDper entry. Checks are made payable to Metropolitan Arts Press or payment by American Express, Master Card, or VISA.
Bank wire information comes automatically with submission confirmation. You may also contact the Museum at: jennifer@chicagoathenaeum.org
Notices
• For questions about the Award application contact us +1 815 777 4444 or Fax + 1 815 777 2471
• For questions about the Award application e-mail us at curatorial@chicagoathenaeum.org
• All photographs must be labeled with project and photographer credits.
• All winning entries become property of the Permanent Design Collection at The Chicago Athenaeum.
• Projects selected for exhibition will require the physical use of the product or model for exhibition purposes.
• Late submissions incur a $100 USD fee per entry.
- Good Design® is a trademark of the Chicago Athenaeum.
- Copyright Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd.©1992-2026
June 15, 2026
by 5:00 PM Central Standard Time.
• Late submissions incur a $100 USD fee per entry.
Should you need an extension, please contact with Jennifer Nyholm:
Tel: +1 815 777 4444 | jennifer@chicagoathenaeum.org
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