Car Design News People Awards 2026 open for entries

Car Design News has opened entries for the People Awards 2026, inviting the global automotive design community to once again put the spotlight where it belongs: on the people, teams and collaborators shaping the future of mobility. 

Now entering its fifth year, the People Awards has quickly established themselves as a credible and meaningful benchmark for design excellence. That position was reinforced last year when the programme was named Best New Awards Event at the Awards Awards, recognised specifically for its fair, transparent and robust judging process. 

With entries now open and table sales live, the 2026 edition is set to build on the momentum of a standout year. 

Recognising the full design ecosystem 

From the outset, the Car Design News People Awards were created to reflect how modern automotive design actually works - across disciplines, companies and career stages. The 2026 programme once again welcomes entries from across the industry. 

19 categories recognise excellence in exterior, interior, UX/UI, advanced design, modelling, leadership and studio culture, the critical creative contribution of lighting, CMF, materials, digital and innovation teams. So whether you're a supplier or OEM, put your team forward for recognition. 

Students and emerging talent are also accounted for, with categories designed to identify and elevate the next generation of designers, including the Sketch Battle and Undiscovered Talent awards. 

By focusing on people rather than programmes alone, the Awards continue to highlight collaboration, influence and long-term impact. 

A look back at the 2025 benchmark 

The 2025 ceremony, held at Old Billingsgate in London, demonstrated the breadth and depth of talent across the global design landscape. Winners spanned OEM studios, suppliers, consultancies and academic institutions, setting a high bar for future entrants. 

Category highlights included: 

Best Supplier Award: UE | Studios, recognised for its creative collaboration and influence across multiple OEM partnerships. 

Best Lighting Design Team: Slate Auto, awarded for lighting work that balances advanced technology with emotional brand expression. 

Best CMF Team: Bentley Motors’ CMF & Bespoke Team, celebrating material innovation, craftsmanship and sensory storytelling. 

Best Clay Modelling Team: General Motors Design Europe. 

Best Digital Modelling Team: Hyundai Europe Digital Design Team. 

Best UX/UI Team: Rivian Digital Studio Team. 

Most Sustainable Team: Slate Auto Design Team. 

See all of last years winners here. 

These winners underscored a central theme of the People Awards: excellence is not confined to one discipline or organisation, but emerges where strong ideas, strong teams and strong cultures intersect. 

Judged by designers, trusted by the industry 

All entries to the People Awards are assessed by an independent panel of senior design leaders, with clear category criteria and a structured scoring process. It is this approach that has earned the programme trust within the industry - and recognition beyond it. 

For Car Design News, the Awards are an extension of the editorial mission: to document, analyse and celebrate the people driving change in automotive design. 

Why enter?

The CDN People Awards continue to grow and evolve, celebrating the brightest talent and most innovative work in automotive design. 

Each year, we hear some common questions about why designers and studios should enter – and the answers highlight exactly why the awards are worth the effort. 

Entering might feel like a commitment, but it’s an opportunity to showcase your achievements, highlight unique strengths and gain recognition in front of the industry’s most influential design leaders. 

The program is run on the secure AwardsForce platform, accessible only to our exclusive panel of judges. This ensures that every submission is completely confidential, giving entrants peace of mind while their work is evaluated. 

Beyond prestige, the awards offer tangible benefits: boosting reputation, strengthening credibility and opening doors for career and studio opportunities. And as the awards continue to evolve, each edition brings fresh categories, new judging perspectives and exciting ways for entrants to maximise visibility and industry impact. 

For anyone considering entry, the message is clear: this awards represents more than an accolade. It acts a strategic platform to celebrate your talent and the work that defines the future of automotive design.

Entries open, tables available 

With strong demand expected following last year’s event, entries for the People Awards 2026 are now open, and table sales for the ceremony are available. 

For OEMs, suppliers and educators alike, the People Awards offer more than a trophy. They provide visibility, validation and a shared moment of recognition at a time when the role of design - and designers - has never been more central to the future of mobility. 

Full details on categories, entry deadlines and event information are available at here. Got a question? Contact the team peopleawards@cardesignnews.com