WORLD DESIGN RANKING REVEALS TOP NATIONS LEADING IN 2025
The World Design Rankings (WDR) has unveiled its 2025 results, providing a snapshot of how design-led innovation is distributed across the globe. The ranking offers a deep dive into the creative power of 114 nations, measured by their success within the A’ Design Award. The latest data confirms China’s continued dominance in the top spot, followed closely by the United States, Japan, Italy, and Hong Kong. From the architectural precision of European countries to the rapidly evolving tech-design sectors in Asia, the 2025 results highlight where innovation is accelerating. This year’s top 20 also sees strong performances from Turkey, Portugal, Australia, and Brazil, signaling a diverse global distribution of design excellence.
Rotunda Sale Center by Kris Lin
image credit: Kris Lin International design
rank: 1st
country: China
project: Rotunda
designer: Kris Lin
category: Interior Space and Exhibition Design
A’ DESIGN AWARD & COMPETITION’S MAP OF GLOBAL DESIGN EXCELLENCE
At the core of these rankings is the A’ Design Award and Competition, a platform that acts as a barometer for international design quality. The competition spans a vast array of disciplines, highlighting everything from the structural complexity of Architecture and Building Design to the intricate details of Kitchenware and Lighting Products.
By recognizing achievements in specialized fields like Wearable Technologies and Digital Device Design, the A’ Design Award provides a vital springboard for designers to elevate their professional standing. For those looking to see their country climb the 2026 rankings, the call for entries is currently active. Submit your project for the upcoming edition here.
Pepsi Diner Milan 2024 Experiential by PepsiCo Design and Innovation
image credit: PepsiCo Design and Innovation
rank: 2nd
country: United States
project: Pepsi Diner Milan 2024
designer: PepsiCo Design and Innovation
category: Interior Space and Exhibition Design
DECODING CREATIVE STRENGTHS THROUGH STRATEGIC DATA
The WDR rankings extend beyond a simple list through its Design Business Insights and Design Classifications. These tools offer a granular look at where specific industries are thriving. For example, the 2025 data allows users to identify which countries are dominating Fine Arts versus those excelling in the technical realms of 3D Modeling and Computer Graphics.
These insights are invaluable for agencies and policymakers looking to understand their creative IQ. Meanwhile, the Designer Rankings offer a transparent view of individual excellence, celebrating the architects, interior designers, and graphic artists who have consistently pushed the boundaries of their craft.
Youngor Experien Fashion Store by Masato Kure
image credit: Masato Kure
rank: 3rd
country: Japan
project: Youngor Experien
designers: Masato Kure, Masashi Ota, Tatsuya Yokoyama and Yuze Ma
category: Interior Space and Exhibition Design
Cali Drinking Glass by Florian Seidl
image credit: Florian Seidl
rank: 4th
country: Italy
project: Cali
designer: Florian Seidl
category: Kitchenware Design
Rising Moon Pavilion by Daydreamers Design image credit: TAM Raymond
rank: 5th
country: Hong Kong (China)
project: Rising Moon
designers: SIU Kwok Kin Stanley, CHAN Pui Hong Aden, HUI Chun Hoi Eddie and HE Yiteng
category: Architecture, Building and Structure Design
Ripple of Knowledge Library by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan
image credit: Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan
rank: 6th
country: Taiwan (China)
project: Ripple of Knowledge
designers: Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan
category: Interior Space and Exhibition Design
Or2 Photochromic Canopy Structure by Francesco Brenta, Christoph Klemmt and Laura Micalizzi
image credit: Francesco Brenta, Christoph Klemmt and Laura Micalizzi
rank: 7th
country: Great Britain
project: Or2
designers: Francesco Brenta, Christoph Klemmt and Laura Micalizzi
category: Fine Arts and Art Installation Design
Pebble Heater by Hakan Gürsu
image credit: Hakan Gürsu
rank: 8th
country: Turkey
project: Pebble
designer: Hakan Gürsu
category: Digital and Electronic Device Design
Misterio Luminaires by Alexey Danilin
image credit: Pavel Dunaev
rank: 9th
country: Germany
project: Misterio
designer: Alexey Danilin
category: Lighting Products and Fixtures Design
Paths of Light Dvd Box by Francisco Elias & Nelson Fernandes
image credit: Francisco Elias & Nelson Fernandes
rank: 10th
country: Portugal
project: Paths of Light
designers: Francisco Elias & Nelson Fernandes
category: Packaging Design
Syha Sanitary Pad Packaging by Angela Spindler
image credit: Angela Spindler
rank: 11th
country: Australia
project: Syha
designer: Angela Spindler
category: Packaging Design
Bouji 3D Stills by Mateus Morgan de Aguiar
image credit: Mateus Morgan de Aguiar
rank: 12th
country: Brazil
project: Bouji
designer: Mateus Morgan de Aguiar
category: Computer Graphics, 3D Modeling, Texturing, and Rendering Design
iving the Gardens Villas by Sanzpont Arquitectura image credit: Sanzpont Arquitectura
rank: 13th
country: Spain
project: Living the Gardens
architects: Victor Sanz Pont, Sergio Sanz Pont, Álvaro Licona, Ana Cristina Avilés, José Rodríguez, Erik Pacheco and Bernardo Ortiz
category: Architecture, Building and Structure Design
Micro Matter Miniature Sculptures in Glass Test Tubes by Rosa de Jong
image credit: Rosa de Jong
rank: 14th
country: Netherlands
project: Micro Matter
designer: Rosa de Jong
category: Fine Arts and Art Installation Design
Square Hsg Learning Center by Evolution Design
image credit: Peter Wuermli
rank: 15th
country: Switzerland
project: Square
designers: Carolin Michalka, Jessica Mentz, Zhiyang Chiu, Patrik Uihlein, Dariusz Florczak and Stuart Dickens
category: Interior Space and Exhibition Design
KT 5G Sculpture Symbolizing by TIST image credit: TIST
rank: 16th
country: Republic of Korea
project: KT 5G
designer: TIST
category: Fine Arts and Art Installation Design
Bubble Forest Public Sculpture by Mirek Struzik
image credit: Mirek Struzik
rank: 17th
country: Poland
project: Bubble Forest
designer: Mirek Struzik
category: Fine Arts and Art Installation Design
Bonita Pour Femme Perfume Packaging and Structure Design by Vishal Vora
image credit: Vishal Vora
rank: 18th
country: India
project: Bonita Pour Femme
designers: Vishal Vora, Janak Vora, Hardik, Jyoti
category: Packaging Design
3D Cakes CGI Food by Andre Caputo
image credit: Andre Caputo
rank: 19th
country: Canada
project: 3D Cakes
designer: Andre Caputo
category: Computer Graphics, 3D Modeling, Texturing, and Rendering Design
Dab Ecg holter patch by Adam Miklosi
image credit: Kevin Harald Campean
rank: 19th
country: Hungary
project: Dab
designer: Adam Miklosi
category: Wearable Technologies Design
See the full list here.
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