Our Program

Innovation for a more sustainable and resilient world.

It’s time to rethink everything!

We’re looking for top talent and innovation in all aspects of the design world, those who are bringing solutions to climate change.

We believe that Innovation comes in all shapes and sizes. This is an international awards program, open to companies and individuals from around the world.

Who is leading GCDA?

We are powered by dozens of experienced designers and business professionals from around the globe.  We are all connected through our passion to help solve climate change through our collective work. Our leadership team is comprised of seasoned professionals working in sustainability.

Why does this program matter?

We are on a mission to accelerate design innovation and solutions to address climate change, resiliency and sustainability.  The award program leverages the power of storytelling through the visual world of design and art to incite action.

We prioritize environmental and climate justice projects with multi-solving approaches; regenerative concepts and solutions; solving for planned obsolescence and environmental impact; positive campaigns that excite and motivate people.

We focus through the lens of biodiversity, climate, cultural and socio-economic equity, with innovative messaging and solutions that challenge the status quo — meeting issues head on!

What are the award catgories?

• Digital Design (Advertising Campaign, Film or Video, Photography), Package Design, Product Design (Consumer) Product Design (Industrial), Architecture (Commercial), Architecture (Residential), Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, Fashion Design, NextGen Climate Creatives

Our nominees present  improvements and solutions in any industry, including:

• Food/beverage
• Beauty/personal care
• Energy use/electricity
• Fashion
• Transportation
• Fitness/health
• Pollution/recycling
• Professional services

What is the judging process?

• Every submission and research-based nominee is individually evaluated by a team of GCDA researchers, judges and advisors.
• The final slate is voted on by our expert panel of diverse judges.

Who can submit?

• Anyone! Students, designers, academics, professional firms. You’re not a designer? That’s okay. Anyone passionate about climate design solutions may nominate their work or their favorite projects!
• Innovation comes in all shapes and sizes. This is an international awards program, open to companies and individuals from around the world. We request that entries are submitted in English.

Do submissions need to be existing designs, or can they be concepts?

• For eligibility in the 2025 GCDA edition, each submission must be either existing or able to be implemented between now and Jan. 1, 2027. Our NextGen Award has broader rules- check out the details here!

What is the timeline?

Key 2025/2026 Dates:

• September 30: Submissions close
• November 1: Shortlist announcement and press release
• November 1 to March 1: Promotion of shortlist; video production
• March 2026: Winners announcement and press release; Award event

What do award entrants receive?

• A curated selection of entrants will be featured in social media and digital promotions
• All shortlisted finalists are invited to the award event in Miami March 2026, where you will receive public recognition of your work, and winners will be announced live
• Work of select finalists and all winners will be included in massive PR and social media
• Work of select finalists and all winners will be featured in videos to be premiered at the event in Miami. This film will be permanently featured on the Planet Earth channel, on ikonoTV

About ikonoTV: ikonoTV is a global media platform that aggregates videos and films from the art, architecture, and design community.  All content and playlists are curated in-house making ikonoTV an art hub thanks to its extensive collaboration with other actors of the art community- with over 1 million viewers

Submission guidance

In general, we recommend these types of focused submissions: environmental and climate justice projects with multi-solving approaches; regenerative concepts and solutions; solving for planned obsolescence and environmental impact; positive campaigns that excite and motivate people.

More specifically, we’d like to see design shown through the lens of biodiversity, climate, cultural and socio-economic equity.

Also important is innovative messaging and design solutions that challenge the status quo — meeting issues head on to address climate change, resiliency and sustainability.

• Provide data, disclosures and scalability that demonstrate real positive impact. Incorporate scope 1, 2 and 3 circular economy. Quantify if possible, and provide launch timeline if applicable.
• Specify how the product or service is both designed and delivered.

Judging criteria focuses on design process and products demonstrating positive impact to climate change, resiliency and/or sustainability exemplifying excellence and innovation in (any/all):

• Design thinking
• System thinking
• Scalability
• Educational value
• Global equity
• Public appeal

Have questions?

Send us an email: climatedesignersmiami@gmail.com!