In anticipation of its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2025, Apple has unveiled the recipients of its prestigious 2025 Design Awards. This year’s accolades honor a diverse array of applications and games that exemplify outstanding design, innovation, and user experience across six distinct categories: Delight and Fun, Inclusivity, Innovation, Interaction, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics.
Delight and Fun
Capwords has been recognized for its engaging and intuitive gameplay that challenges users to form words from a jumble of letters, enhancing vocabulary and cognitive skills. The game Balatro has also been celebrated for its captivating mechanics and immersive experience that keeps players engaged through strategic card play.
Inclusivity
Speechify has been honored for its commitment to accessibility, providing a text-to-speech platform that empowers individuals with reading challenges by converting written text into natural-sounding audio. The game Art of Fauna has been acknowledged for its inclusive design, offering a diverse range of characters and narratives that resonate with a broad audience.
Innovation
Play has been awarded for its groundbreaking approach to app development, enabling designers to create interactive prototypes directly on their devices, streamlining the design process. The game PBJ — The Musical has been recognized for its innovative fusion of storytelling and music, offering players a unique narrative experience through interactive musical gameplay.
Interaction
Taobao has been celebrated for its seamless and user-friendly interface, providing a comprehensive e-commerce platform that enhances the shopping experience with intuitive navigation and personalized recommendations. The game DREDGE has been acknowledged for its engaging mechanics and interactive storytelling that immerse players in a mysterious fishing adventure.
Social Impact
Watch Duty: Wildfire Maps has been honored for its critical role in providing real-time information during California wildfires, aiding communities with timely alerts and updates. The game Neva has been recognized for its poignant narrative that addresses environmental issues, encouraging players to reflect on their impact on the natural world.
Visuals and Graphics
Feather: Draw in 3D has been awarded for its exceptional visual design, offering artists a platform to create intricate 3D drawings with ease. The game Infinity Nikki has been celebrated for its stunning graphics and immersive world-building that captivate players with its visual storytelling.
Apple’s selection this year highlights a trend towards recognizing independent developers and startups, emphasizing creativity and the effective use of Apple’s technologies to enhance user experiences. Notably, applications centered around generative AI were absent from the winners’ list for the second consecutive year, indicating a focus on design and functionality over emerging AI trends.
The 2025 Design Awards underscore Apple’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence within the app development community, setting a high standard for future applications and games on its platforms.
