identity Design Awards 2024 – The Categories
Here's a breakdown of the 20 categories we have for this year's identity Design Awards.
Here’s a breakdown of the categories across architecture, interior design and general design. Our submissions are now open, you can nominate your favourite projects here.
Submission checklist and criteria can be accessed here.
There are 3 main categories:
Interior Design
Office
Awarded to a space primarily dedicated to work including offices, studios and coworking spaces.
Restaurant
Awarded to an interior space which people visit to eat and drink including restaurants and cafés
Nightlife
Awarded to any interior space dedicated primarily to drinking and socialising including bars, clubs and event spaces
Fit Out
Awarded to the best completed fit-out of an interior design space across all sectors
Residential
Awarded to the best interior design of any dwelling – including apartments, villas, hotel apartments or holiday homes
Hotel
Celebrating the best in hospitality design inclusive of all public and private areas for hotels and resorts across the MENA region
Public space
Awarded to an interior space that is open to public use, including spaces for education, shopping as well as cultural and entertainment activities
Health + Wellness
Awarded to an interior space dedicated to health and well-being including healthcare centres, hospitals, spas, gyms, yoga and meditation studios and salons
Design of the year: Interior design
Jury selects the best interior design project from amongst the winning projects across the Interior Design categories
Emerging interior designer of the year
The identity Design of the Year Awards 2023 rewards the work of young interior designers who are below 30 years of age. The nominees must have worked on projects which improve and perfect the quality of design as demonstrated by their submission
Submit your interior design projects here.
Architecture
Residential
Awarded to buildings dedicated to living including apartment buildings and villas within both urban and non-urban settings
Commercial
Awarded to buildings dedicated to work or services including corporate offices, coworking centres and company headquarters
Public building
Awarded to any building that serves the public or is used by the community including schools, university buildings, hospitals, infrastructure projects and
masterplans, airports, community centres and government buildings as well as shopping malls and banks
Hotel
Awarded to any building within the hospitality sector, from large-scale resorts to boutique hotels and guest houses
Cultural building
Awarded to any project dedicated to culture or cultural activities including cultural centres, museums, art galleries, religious spaces, theatres, opera houses, and concert halls
Design of the year: Architecture
Jury selects the best interior design project from amongst the winning projects across the Architecture categories
Submit your architecture projects here.
General
Product design
Awarded for a groundbreaking product design that blends creativity, functionality, and aesthetic brilliance
Outdoor space
Awarded to any project located outdoors from outdoor dining, installations and public space projects to gardens and beaches
Project of the future
Awarded to any innovative interior or architectural project that is under construction or nearing construction phase
People’s choice award
Ahead of the identity Design Awards gala event, the People’s Choice Award allows guests to vote for their favourite project among the shortlisted projects across all categories
Submit your projects here.
The Latest
Studio 971 Relaunches Its Sheikh Zayed Showroom
The showroom reopens as a refined, contemporary destination celebrating Italian craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless design.
Making Space
This book reclaims the narrative of women in interior design
How Eywa’s design execution is both challenging and exceptional
Mihir Sanganee, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder at Designsmith shares the journey behind shaping the interior fitout of this regenerative design project
Design Take: MEI by 4SPACE
Where heritage meets modern design.
The Choreographer of Letters
Taking place at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation until 25 January 2026, this landmark exhibition features Nja Mahdaoui, one of the most influential figures in Arab modern art
A Home Away from Home
This home, designed by Blush International at the Atlantis The Royal Residences, perfectly balances practicality and beauty
Design Take: China Tang Dubai
Heritage aesthetics redefined through scale, texture, and vision.
Dubai Design Week: A Retrospective
The identity team were actively involved in Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design, capturing collaborations and taking part in key dialogues with the industry. Here’s an overview.
Highlights of Cairo Design Week 2025
Art, architecture, and culture shaped up this year's Cairo Design Week.
A Modern Haven
Sophie Paterson Interiors brings a refined, contemporary sensibility to a family home in Oman, blending soft luxury with subtle nods to local heritage
Past Reveals Future
Maison&Objet Paris returns from 15 to 19 January 2026 under the banner of excellence and savoir-faire
Sensory Design
Designed by Wangan Studio, this avant-garde space, dedicated to care, feels like a contemporary art gallery