BETTER FUTURE Awards 2025

Since 2010, BETTER FUTURE has proudly developed the world's largest network of annual design awards. Since then, more than 130 awards programs have been staged, recognising thousands of outstanding design projects across the globe.  

For 2025 we'll present a record twenty award programs in one calendar year.

Why this is signifiant to your studio
Peer-judged award programs provide a valuable reference to current and future clients. They demonstrate who is doing great work and illustrates the best studios in the market. 

Awards help develop new business alongside delivering recognition for your studio, creative teams and clients. People adore being recognised for their work, commitment and outcomes. Our research shows that studios with an active recognition strategy retain team members for 30% longer than those without one.

New for 2025
BETTER FUTURE is launching a global design directory of best in market studios across the globe. The 2025 Global Design Directory will be launched in London in March 2025 to kick-off WILD WEEK, which will bring together studio leaders from around the world. 

There are two ways to ensure you're included in the BETTER FUTURE Global Design Directory: One is to be recognised as the Best in Market studio within one of the award programs. The other is to be an active member of our Studio Partner Program. 

New award programs and new markets for 2025
The expanded regional award programs will reach projects serving over 2.5B people as we add Africa, Latin America, Norden and Middle East as regional programs. This is particularly useful for practice leaders looking for new markets and partnerships; opening up opportunities in Africa for example, which has a population of 1.5Bn but only half as many architectural schools as Melbourne (population 5m). Africa is a continent with latent demand for skilled experts to help it service it's growing middle class need and developing public infrastructure.

In addition to our new regional programs, the GOV Design Awards and Space Design Award provide access to hard-to-reach markets. 

- The GOV market covers over 250,000 local and regional governments across the globe: We know governments are inclined to commission studios that understand government processes. What better way to amplify your expertise in government projects than championing your recent work in this market.

- The Space market is specialist, but growing sector; not just for technical design but the complete space exploration economy: equipment, communication, branding, products and experience design, complex projects and off planet projects.

Sharing the recognition, creating opportunity and delivering value
The BETTER FUTURE Awards began by recognising those that create projects. By evolving the awards to engage and recognise the client, your involvement with BETTER FUTURE means that you've got a front row opportunity for new business from people who commission projects - in other words, putting you where the design dollar starts.

BETTER FUTURE also delivers outstanding value: Many award programs started out by charging winners for brand licensing, or access to a 'winners pack'. Our awards are based on  a Single Fee Model - whereby you pay once and don't get an expensive winner's email asking you to pay 5-20 times the nomination fee because you've won.

And to drive your investment even further, the single fee model is also topped up by our unique Elevation benefit: All winning projects in our design capital or regional programs are Elevated into a further round at our cost, giving you multiple opportunities to win, with a wider range of recognition. 

Where other awards ask you to pay more, BETTER FUTURE gives you more.