Esplanādē skatāma Latvijas Dizaina gada balvas 2026 izstāde
16. jūlijā pašā Rīgas centrā, Esplanādē (Elizabetes ielas pusē), tika atklāta Latvijas Dizaina gada balvas 2026 brīvdabas izstāde, kas apskatāma līdz 21. augustam. Tajā iespējams iepazīt konkursa laureātu un finālistu darbus — no asprātīgiem risinājumiem līdz sociāli nozīmīgiem projektiem, no konceptuālām iecerēm līdz praktiskām inovācijām, no lokālās kultūras interpretācijām līdz idejām ar globālu potenciālu. Izstāde atklāj ne vien Latvijas dizaineru izcilāko veikumu, bet arī dizaina pielietojuma plašo amplitūdu.
The Winners of the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 Announced
Ceturtdien, 21. maijā, svinīgā pasākumā «Gaso» gāzes tornī tika paziņoti Latvijas Dizaina gada balvas (LDGB) 2026 laureāti, sveicot labākos dizaina darbus produktu, pakalpojumu, komunikācijas, vides un digitālo risinājumu kategorijās. Grand Prix un Kultūras ministrijas prēmiju 2000 eiro apmērā saņēma Expo 2025 Baltijas paviljona «We Are One» dizains un tā autoru komanda — «Variant Studio», «Ozols IR», «Inspired», «7.A.M», «YesWeCan» un «Datu Tehnoloģiju grupa».
The finalists of the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 announced
On 19 May 2026, the final jury of the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 (NDAL) named the competition's finalists. Of the 55 nominees, 21 works have reached the final: six works in the product and environmental design categories, five works in the communication design category, and two works in the service and digital solutions categories. On 20 May, all finalists will present their works in person to the final jury, which will decide on the winner of each category, as well as on the recipients of the Grand Prix and the Emerging Designer Award. The competition laureates will be revealed at a ceremonial awards event on 21 May 2026 at the Gaso gas tower at Vagonu iela 20, Riga.
NDAL 2026 awards ceremony on May 21 and other events in the finals
The final round of the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 has begun! On May 19 at 14:00, the finalists will be announced at an event at the Latvian National Museum of Literature and Music, followed by presentations by the members of the final jury. On May 20, starting at 14:00, all finalists will present their works in person to the final jury, which will decide the competition winners. The best works will be honored on May 21 at 19:00 during a festive awards ceremony at the Gaso gas tower at Vagonu iela 20 in Riga.
Winter nominees of the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 announced, along with the competition's final events
The works that have advanced to the second round of the National Design Award of Latvia (NDAL) 2026 winter submission session have been made public. A total of 56 entries were received, and the selection jury has put forward 26 works for the next round of the competition, seven of which are submissions from emerging designers. The largest number of nominees — nine in total — is in the product design category. It is followed by the communication design category with eight nominees and the environmental design category with five works. Two digital solutions and two service design works have also advanced. On 18 May, the final jury will begin its work, selecting the NDAL 2026 finalists, with the best works honoured at a gala ceremony on 21 May.
56 entries received in the winter submission session
A total of 56 entries have been submitted to the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 winter submission session. The largest number of entries — 18 in total — was received in the product design category. It is followed by environmental design with 16 works and communication design with 15 entries. Five works were submitted in the digital solutions category, and two entries in service design. Of all submitted works, 10 were created during the study process and will be evaluated separately.
The NDAL event «Design Spring» will focus on international experience
On Tuesday, 31 March at 16.00, the National Design Award of Latvia (NDAL) event «Design Spring» will take place at the new premises of the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) — the Tobacco Factory creative quarter. In the first part of the event, Rita Šteimane, head of the animation studio «Panic», will share her experience in exporting creativity, while designers Anna Līva Traumane and Harijs Vucens from the studio «Onlyonly» will speak about participating in international design exhibitions. The event will conclude with a guided tour of the Tobacco Factory quarter, led by architect Uldis Lukševics (NRJA), one of the authors of the architectural and design solutions of the restored buildings.
Winter Submission Deadline Extended to April 5
It is still possible to submit your work for the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 (NDAL) until 5 April. The competition organiser — the Latvian Design Centre — invites designers and commissioners to submit both large- and small-scale projects created since January 2023. A broader range of entries not only allows for a comprehensive overview and evaluation of the Latvian design landscape, but also enables meaningful comparison of designers’ achievements and fosters discussion on the potential of design. Participation in the competition is also an opportunity to promote oneself and one’s work, as well as to receive evaluation from other industry professionals.
Winter Submission Now Open for the National Design Award of Latvia 2026
From 18 February to 20 March 2026, the winter submission period for the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 is open — a national award in design aimed at identifying, evaluating, and promoting the most outstanding achievements of Latvian designers, while fostering the development of the Latvian design sector. Works may be submitted in five categories: Product Design, Service Design, Communication Design, Environmental Design, and Digital Solutions. The achievements of Emerging Designers will be evaluated separately.
Nominees of the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 Autumn Session Announced
The entries that have advanced to the second round of the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 autumn application session have been announced. A total of 53 submissions were received, and the selection jury has shortlisted 29 entries for the next round of the competition, including five submissions by emerging designers.
53 Entries Received in the Autumn Submission Session
A total of 53 entries were submitted for the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 autumn session. The highest number of applications — 21 in total — was received in the Product Design category. It is followed by Environmental Design with 13 works and Communication Design with 10 entries. 6 works were submitted in the Digital Solutions category, while 3 entries were received in Service Design. Out of all submissions, 13 were developed during the study process and will be evaluated separately.
Autumn Submission Deadline Extended to December 20
To ensure the competition reflects the broadest possible spectrum of design, the autumn submission period for the National Design Award of Latvia has been extended until December 20. Entries may be submitted in five categories — Product Design, Service Design, Communication Design, Environmental Design and Digital Solutions. Separately, works by Emerging Designers created during the course of studies will be evaluated.
Design News Event «Design Autumn»
On November 21, at 3:00 PM, the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 event «Design Autumn» will take place in the renovated building of the Latvian National Museum of Literature and Music in Riga Old Town. Participants will have the opportunity to view the museum’s new exhibition, «Procrastination and Creation». Following the viewing, presentations on current projects will be given by Creative Director Dārta Apsīte, Designer Artūrs Analts, Architect Pēteris Bajārs (author of the renovated museum building’s interior), and Exhibition Artist Anna Heinrihsone.
Autumn Submission for the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 Now Open
The autumn submission period for the National Design Award of Latvia 2026 is open from November 5 to December 5, 2025. This national award in design aims to identify, evaluate, and popularize the most outstanding achievements of Latvian designers, thereby promoting the development of the Latvian design industry. Entries may be submitted to the competition in five categories — Product Design, Service Design, Communication Design, Environmental Design, and Digital Solutions. The achievements of Emerging Designers will be evaluated separately.
National Design Award of Latvia 2025 Winners Exhibition on View at Esplanade
From July 3 to July 31, the National Design Award of Latvia 2025 outdoor exhibition is on view in the very center of Riga, at Esplanade (on the Elizabetes Street side). The exhibition offers a wide audience—residents and guests of Riga—the opportunity to get closely acquainted with the works of the competition’s laureates and finalists.
Winners of the National Design Award of Latvia 2025 Determined
On Thursday, June 5, the winners of the National Design Award of Latvia (NDAL) 2025 were announced at a solemn ceremony in the «Sporta 2» quarter, honoring the best design works in the categories of product, service, communication, environmental, and digital solutions. The Grand Prix and the Ministry of Culture prize of 2000 EUR were awarded to the agency «Magic» for the campaign «Slimība izārda, cerība dziedē!» (Illness Tears, Hope Heals!) implemented for the charity marathon «Dod pieci!» (Give Five!). The «Emerging Designer» title was awarded to Zanda Seņkova for the «Randevú» seating furniture collection with a hidden BDSM function. The Jury also presented four Recognitions, and the Patent Office and «JCDecaux» presented their special awards.
Finalists of the National Design Award of Latvia 2025 announced
The finalists of the Latvian Design Award 2025 have been announced! Out of 59 nominees, 21 entries have advanced to the final: 6 in the Environmental Design category, 4 each in the Service, Product, and Communication Design categories, and 3 in the Digital Solutions category.
Announcing The National Design Award of Latvia 2025 Final Jury and Key Events
On 30 May 2025, the final jury and key events of The National Design Award of Latvia 2025 (NDAL) were announced. The programme will culminate with the awards ceremony, where the winners will be revealed, taking place on 5 June 2025 at 19:00 at Sporta iela 2A, Riga. The final jury will decide the winners in five competition categories — Products, Services, Communication, Environment, and Digital Solutions — as well as the recipients of the Young Designer Award and the Grand Prix. The main prize winner of NDAL will receive a monetary award of EUR 2000 from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
NDAL 2025 Winter Nominees for Second Round Announced
On May 21, 2025, the works that advanced to the second round of the National Design Award of Latvia 2025 winter submission session were announced. The entries were evaluated in five categories: Product Design, Service Design, Communication Design, Environmental Design, and Digital Solutions. A total of 68 entries were received, and the Selection Jury nominated 33 works for participation in the second round of the competition, seven of which were submissions from Emerging Designers. A record number of entries were received in the Communication Design category—29 works—of which 16 were nominated for the second round. Six entries advanced in the Service Design category.
Winter Submission for the National Design Award of Latvia 2025 Opened on February 10
Winter submission for the National Design Award of Latvia 2025—a national award of significance in design—was opened on February 10, 2025. Innovations have been introduced in the competition categories this year; in addition to the existing five categories—Product Design, Service Design, Communication Design, Environmental Design, and Digital Solutions—the «Emerging Designer» nomination has been introduced. The winter submission is open until March 20.