Apple Celebrates Creativity and Innovation at the 2025 Design Awards
On June 3, 2025, Apple proudly announced the winners and finalists of the highly anticipated 2025 Apple Design Awards, an annual event that highlights the pinnacle of app and game design. This year’s celebration recognized 12 exceptional apps and games that have set new standards in creativity, innovation, and technical excellence. These awards were presented at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, an event that brings together developers from around the globe to explore and celebrate technological advancements.
Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, praised the developers for their relentless pursuit of excellence. She remarked, "Developers continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, creating apps and games that are not only beautifully designed but also deeply impactful. We’re excited to celebrate this incredible group of winners and finalists at WWDC and spotlight the innovation and craftsmanship they bring to each experience."
The awards are divided into six categories, each recognizing one app and one game that have excelled in Delight and Fun, Innovation, Interaction, Inclusivity, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics. The winners were carefully chosen from a pool of 36 finalists from all over the world, each of whom demonstrated outstanding design experiences in their respective fields.
Delight and Fun
In the Delight and Fun category, developers are commended for creating memorable, engaging, and satisfying user experiences. These are enhanced by Apple’s sophisticated technologies.
App Winner: CapWords by HappyPlan Tech (China)
CapWords is an innovative language learning tool that uses images of everyday objects to create interactive stickers, allowing learners to explore new words visually and intuitively. This app supports nine languages, offering a delightful and immersive way to learn independently.
Game Winner: Balatro by LocalThunk (Canada)
Balatro is a unique blend of poker, solitaire, and deck-building with roguelike elements. Players are challenged to create synergies by combining poker hands with joker cards, each possessing unique abilities. The game is marked by clever details and gripping gameplay, pushing players to craft original decks to conquer devious challenges.
Innovation
This category celebrates apps and games that provide state-of-the-art experiences through novel uses of Apple technologies, setting them apart in their genres.
App Winner: Play by Rabbit 3 Times (United States)
Play is a sophisticated yet user-friendly tool that empowers users to build interactive prototypes utilizing SwiftUI frameworks. Its well-crafted user interface facilitates seamless collaboration across Mac and iPhone, fostering creativity and innovation.
Game Winner: PBJ — The Musical by Philipp Stollenmayer (Germany)
PBJ — The Musical is a charming game that creatively retells the story of Romeo and Juliet using condiments. It combines rhythm-based gameplay with a compelling narrative and a delightful soundtrack, enhanced by haptic feedback and fun dialogue.
Interaction
The Interaction category honors apps and games that offer intuitive interfaces and effortless controls, perfectly tailored to their platforms.
App Winner: Taobao by Zhejiang Taobao Network (China)
Taobao provides an engaging shopping experience on Apple Vision Pro, offering realistic 3D models. The app enhances shopping by allowing users to visualize products in 3D, consider placement, and compare items side by side.
Game Winner: DREDGE by Black Salt Games (New Zealand)
DREDGE is a game that combines slow-burn horror with exploration and adventure, where players navigate eerie islands and uncover mysteries. It offers seamless interactions and a captivating world filled with hidden treasures.
Inclusivity
This category recognizes apps and games that deliver great experiences for all users, reflecting diverse backgrounds, abilities, and languages.
App Winner: Speechify by Speechify (United States)
Speechify transforms written text into audio, supporting hundreds of voices in over 50 languages. Designed with accessibility in mind, it serves as a vital resource for people with dyslexia, ADHD, and low vision.
Game Winner: Art of Fauna by Klemens Strasser (Austria)
Art of Fauna is a beautifully illustrated puzzle game that blends wildlife imagery with inclusivity and conservation. With features like VoiceOver support and haptic feedback, accessibility is woven throughout the experience.
Social Impact
This category highlights apps and games that improve lives meaningfully and address crucial issues.
App Winner: Watch Duty by Sherwood Forestry Service (United States)
Watch Duty is an essential app during wildfires, providing real-time updates, evacuation information, and critical resources. It reports on active fire perimeters, wind speed, and evacuation orders.
Game Winner: Neva by Developer Digital (United States)
Neva is an action-adventure game that follows a girl and her wolf companion through a world in decline. It meditates on themes of care, connection, and environmental loss, offering a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience.
Visuals and Graphics
Apps and games in this category are celebrated for their stunning imagery, skillful interfaces, and high-quality animations.
App Winner: Feather: Draw in 3D by Sketchsoft (South Korea)
Feather allows users to transform 2D designs into 3D masterpieces. It is designed to make advanced 3D modeling accessible, using touch and Apple Pencil interactions to bring users’ imaginations to life.
Game Winner: Infinity Nikki by Infold Games (Singapore)
Infinity Nikki is a visually stunning open-world adventure, rich with color and detail. It challenges players to collect items and explore a magical world filled with whimsical creatures and unexpected moments.
For more information on the Apple Design Award winners and finalists, visit Apple Design Awards or explore the Apple Developer app. These awards not only recognize exceptional creativity and technical excellence but also inspire developers to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation.
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