Apple names 2026 Design Awards winners ahead of WWDC; Indian creator in the list
This year's awards recognised 12 winners from around the world, selected from a shortlist of 36 finalists. Indian creator Bijoy Thangaraj is one of the awardees. The winners will be recognised during WWDC 2026.
4 Min Read
Days before the start of its annual WWDC26, Apple has announced the winners of the 2026 Apple Design Awards, celebrating apps and games that stand out for their innovation, creativity, accessibility, and technical excellence.
This year's awards recognised 12 winners from around the world, selected from a shortlist of 36 finalists. The tech giant presented one app and one game in each of six categories: Delight and Fun, Inclusivity, Innovation, Interaction, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics.
According to Apple, the winning projects showcase how developers continue to push the boundaries while creating meaningful experiences for users. Announcing the winners, Susan Prescott, Apple's Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations, said the award recipients demonstrate the best of what Apple's platforms can achieve.
Delight and Fun
In the Delight and Fun category, Apple recognised products that deliver memorable and enjoyable experiences. The winning app was grug, developed by Netherlands-based Ocho.
“The affirmation app provides a delightful way to read daily neolithic grunts. With just a simple idea, each prompt is thoughtfully delivered to offer users a small but meaningful moment of reflection,” the company said in its blog post.
The gaming award in this category went to Is This Seat Taken?, a puzzle game developed by Spain's Poti Poti Studio. The title challenges players to solve tricky logic puzzles while navigating humorous public transport scenarios.
Inclusivity
Apple's Inclusivity category celebrates apps and games designed to serve users from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and languages.
The winning app, Guitar Wiz, was developed by Indian creator Bijoy Thangaraj. Designed for both beginner and experienced guitar players, the app provides spoken instructions that help users learn and improve their musical skills.
The game award went to Pine Hearts by UK-based Hyper Luminal Games Limited. The title incorporates accessibility-focused features such as customisable controls, improved text readability, and enhanced sensory settings, ensuring a welcoming experience for players of all abilities.
Innovation
For Innovation, Apple recognised products that use "technologies that set them apart in their genre." The winning app was NBA: Live Games & Scores for Apple Vision Pro.
Developed by NBA Media Ventures, the app offers immersive sports viewing experiences, allowing users to watch multiple live games simultaneously, access real-time statistics, and see player movements on a 3D court with tabletop mode. The game, Blue Prince, developed by US studio Dogubomb, was selected for its creative blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and storytelling.
Interaction
The Interaction category honours products with intuitive interfaces and effortless navigation. Italian developer Flipping Hues Srls won the app award with Moonlitt: Moon Phase Tracker, which helps users monitor lunar events and celestial phenomena through an elegant interface.
The gaming award was presented to Sago Mini Jinja's Garden, an Apple Arcade title developed by Canada's Sago Mini. Designed for younger audiences, the game offers easy-to-use controls that allow children to focus on exploration and creativity.
Social Impact
Apps and games that address important issues and create positive change were recognised in the Social Impact category.
The winning app, Primary: News in Depth, offers an immersive news-reading experience on Apple Vision Pro, helping users engage more thoughtfully with current events through a spatial interface.
ALSO READ | Apple iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to debut variable-aperture camera upgrade
The game Consume Me, created by Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson, was recognised for its sensitive and emotionally moving topic. "A deeply personal and autobiographical experience of a sensitive and emotionally moving topic, Consume Me balances gameplay with profound care. Its clever mechanics help users thoughtfully connect with feelings words can’t always capture."
Visuals and Graphics
The final category celebrated "beautiful imagery, skillfully drawn interfaces, and top-notch animations with a unique and cohesive theme."
The app award went to Tide Guide: Charts & Tables, developed by Condor Digital. The tide-tracking application provides hour-by-hour forecasts and a crisp presentation of weather data. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition from Poland's CD Projekt S.A. earned the gaming award for its "intricate interiors, character art, and vehicle designs.”
ALSO READ | Apple reveals new WWDC 2026 tagline ahead of keynote: What else to expect
This year's awards recognised 12 winners from around the world, selected from a shortlist of 36 finalists. The tech giant presented one app and one game in each of six categories: Delight and Fun, Inclusivity, Innovation, Interaction, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics.
The winners will be recognised during WWDC 2026.
According to Apple, the winning projects showcase how developers continue to push the boundaries while creating meaningful experiences for users. Announcing the winners, Susan Prescott, Apple's Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations, said the award recipients demonstrate the best of what Apple's platforms can achieve.
Delight and Fun
In the Delight and Fun category, Apple recognised products that deliver memorable and enjoyable experiences. The winning app was grug, developed by Netherlands-based Ocho.
“The affirmation app provides a delightful way to read daily neolithic grunts. With just a simple idea, each prompt is thoughtfully delivered to offer users a small but meaningful moment of reflection,” the company said in its blog post.
The gaming award in this category went to Is This Seat Taken?, a puzzle game developed by Spain's Poti Poti Studio. The title challenges players to solve tricky logic puzzles while navigating humorous public transport scenarios.
Inclusivity
Apple's Inclusivity category celebrates apps and games designed to serve users from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and languages.
The winning app, Guitar Wiz, was developed by Indian creator Bijoy Thangaraj. Designed for both beginner and experienced guitar players, the app provides spoken instructions that help users learn and improve their musical skills.
The game award went to Pine Hearts by UK-based Hyper Luminal Games Limited. The title incorporates accessibility-focused features such as customisable controls, improved text readability, and enhanced sensory settings, ensuring a welcoming experience for players of all abilities.
Innovation
For Innovation, Apple recognised products that use "technologies that set them apart in their genre." The winning app was NBA: Live Games & Scores for Apple Vision Pro.
Developed by NBA Media Ventures, the app offers immersive sports viewing experiences, allowing users to watch multiple live games simultaneously, access real-time statistics, and see player movements on a 3D court with tabletop mode. The game, Blue Prince, developed by US studio Dogubomb, was selected for its creative blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and storytelling.
Interaction
The Interaction category honours products with intuitive interfaces and effortless navigation. Italian developer Flipping Hues Srls won the app award with Moonlitt: Moon Phase Tracker, which helps users monitor lunar events and celestial phenomena through an elegant interface.
The gaming award was presented to Sago Mini Jinja's Garden, an Apple Arcade title developed by Canada's Sago Mini. Designed for younger audiences, the game offers easy-to-use controls that allow children to focus on exploration and creativity.
Social Impact
Apps and games that address important issues and create positive change were recognised in the Social Impact category.
The winning app, Primary: News in Depth, offers an immersive news-reading experience on Apple Vision Pro, helping users engage more thoughtfully with current events through a spatial interface.
ALSO READ | Apple iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to debut variable-aperture camera upgrade
The game Consume Me, created by Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson, was recognised for its sensitive and emotionally moving topic. "A deeply personal and autobiographical experience of a sensitive and emotionally moving topic, Consume Me balances gameplay with profound care. Its clever mechanics help users thoughtfully connect with feelings words can’t always capture."
Visuals and Graphics
The final category celebrated "beautiful imagery, skillfully drawn interfaces, and top-notch animations with a unique and cohesive theme."
The app award went to Tide Guide: Charts & Tables, developed by Condor Digital. The tide-tracking application provides hour-by-hour forecasts and a crisp presentation of weather data. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition from Poland's CD Projekt S.A. earned the gaming award for its "intricate interiors, character art, and vehicle designs.”
ALSO READ | Apple reveals new WWDC 2026 tagline ahead of keynote: What else to expect
(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
First Published: Jun 3, 2026 5:51 PM IST
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