On June 2, 2026, Apple unveiled the winners of the 2026 Apple Design Awards during WWDC26, celebrating outstanding achievements in app and game design. This year, 12 winners were chosen from a pool of 36 finalists, all demonstrating remarkable innovation and artistry.
A Celebration of Excellence: The awards recognize one app and one game in six categories: Delight and Fun, Inclusivity, Innovation, Interaction, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics. Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, emphasized the significance of these awards, noting how they reflect the exceptional experiences developers create.
2026 Apple Design Award Winners
Delight and Fun
- App: grug by Ocho (Netherlands) - An affirmation app that delivers daily wisdom through playful prompts.
- Game: Is This Seat Taken? by Poti Poti Studio (Spain) - A charming logic puzzle game set in public transit scenarios.
Inclusivity
- App: Guitar Wiz by Bijoy Thangaraj (India) - A comprehensive toolkit for guitarists featuring spoken instructions and accessibility support.
- Game: Pine Hearts by Hyper Luminal Games Limited (United Kingdom) - A game rewarding good deeds with accessibility features for all players.
Innovation
- App: NBA: Live Games & Scores by NBA Media Ventures, LLC (United States) - An immersive app for Apple Vision Pro allowing fans to watch multiple live games simultaneously.
- Game: Blue Prince by Dogubomb (United States) - A narrative-driven adventure blending exploration and puzzle-solving.
Interaction
- App: Moonlitt: Moon Phase Tracker by Flipping Hues Srls (Italy) - An elegant interface for tracking lunar events and photography.
- Game: Sago Mini Jinja’s Garden by Sago Mini (Canada) - An interactive gardening game designed for young players.
Social Impact
- App: Primary: News in Depth by Wood Metal Rocks LLC (United States) - A news app with a spatial interface for thoughtful engagement.
- Game: Consume Me by Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson (United States) - A personal game addressing sensitive topics through gameplay.
Visuals and Graphics
- App: Tide Guide: Charts & Tables by Condor Digital (United States) - A tide tracker with custom animations and a user-friendly design.
- Game: Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition by CD Projekt S.A. (Poland) - A visually stunning open-world game optimized for Apple silicon.
Finalists and Recognition
Each category also featured notable finalists, showcasing a diverse range of innovative applications and games. The recognition of these developers highlights Apple's commitment to fostering creativity and excellence in the app ecosystem.
