June 3, 2025
UPDATE
Apple Announces Winners and Finalists for the 2025 Apple Design Awards
The selected winners and finalists will be honored at WWDC25 for their remarkable innovation and technical prowess.
Today, Apple revealed the winners and finalists of this year’s Apple Design Awards, highlighting 12 exceptional apps and games that exemplify outstanding design standards. The recipients hail from various corners of the globe, showcasing excellence in creativity and technical achievement.
“Developers are continually expanding the limits of what’s achievable, crafting apps and games that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also profoundly impactful,” stated Susan Prescott, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations. “We are thrilled to recognize this extraordinary group of winners and finalists at WWDC and showcase their ingenuity and craftsmanship.”
The awards honor one app and one game in six categories: Delight and Fun, Innovation, Interaction, Inclusivity, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics. These winners were selected from a pool of 36 finalists worldwide, each demonstrating exceptional design in their respective categories.
Delight and Fun
AWARD RECOGNITION for memorable, engaging experiences enhanced by Apple technology.
App: CapWords
Developer: HappyPlan Tech (China)
CapWords is an innovative language-learning application that transforms images of everyday objects into interactive stickers, helping users learn new vocabularies in a visual, immersive manner. Supporting nine languages, it offers a fun, contextual learning experience.
Game: Balatro
Developer: LocalThunk (Canada)
Balatro combines elements of poker, solitaire, and deck-building with roguelike mechanics. Players strategize with poker hands and unique joker cards, creating diverse synergies. Its clever design and engaging gameplay motivate players to innovate and overcome challenges.
Finalists in this category include Lumy by Raja V; Denim by Feel Good Tech; Thank Goodness You’re Here! by Panic; and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown by Ubisoft Montpellier.
Innovation
AWARD RECOGNITION for outstanding experiences leveraging Apple technologies.
App: Play
Developer: Rabbit 3 Times (USA)
Play is a user-friendly tool for creating interactive prototypes using SwiftUI frameworks. Its intuitive interface enables designers to collaborate seamlessly across Mac and iPhone, fostering creativity in real-time.
Game: PBJ — The Musical
Developer: Philipp Stollenmayer (Germany)
With a unique twist on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, PBJ — The Musical intertwines rhythm-based gameplay with storytelling, creating a joyful experience enhanced by haptic feedback and clever dialogue.
Finalists in this category include Moises by Music.AI; Capybara by Digital Workroom Ltd; Pawz by Bootloader Studio Holdings Private Limited; and Gears & Goo by Resolution Games AB.
Interaction
Award recognition for intuitive interfaces and optimal controls tailored to their platforms.
App: Taobao
Developer: Zhejiang Taobao Network (China)
Taobao provides an immersive shopping experience on Apple Vision Pro with detailed 3D models, enabling users to make comparative purchases in a highly engaging manner.
Game: DREDGE
Developer: Black Salt Games (New Zealand)
DREDGE merges horror with exploration. Players navigate eerie islands aboard a fishing boat, solving mysteries and discovering hidden treasures through smooth interactions across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Finalists in this category include iA Writer by Information Architects AG; Mela – Recipe Manager by Silvio Rizzi; Gears & Goo by Resolution Games AB; and Skate City: New York by Snowman.
Inclusivity
Award recognition for creating experiences that reflect diverse backgrounds and abilities.
App: Speechify
Developer: Speechify (USA)
Speechify offers a transformative experience, converting written text into audio seamlessly with support for numerous voices in over 50 languages, making it an essential tool for individuals with learning differences.
Game: Art of Fauna
Developer: Klemens Strasser (Austria)
With its stunning visuals and commitment to inclusivity, Art of Fauna provides an interactive puzzle-solving experience that incorporates voice support and haptic feedback, ensuring accessibility throughout.
Finalists in this category include Evolve by GTA Solutions; Train Fitness by Train Fitness; puffies. by Lykke Studios; and Land of Livia by Split Atom Labs.
Social Impact
Award recognition for initiatives that enhance lives and address important issues.
App: Watch Duty
Developer: Sherwood Forestry Service (USA)
During wildfires in Southern California, Watch Duty provided timely updates and critical resources, offering essential information and assistance to those affected.
Game: Neva
Developer: Devolver Digital (USA)
Neva is an emotionally engaging adventure that follows a girl and her wolf companion through a breathtaking world. The narrative delves into friendship and environmental loss, creating a poignant reflection on care and connection.
Finalists in this category include Ground News by Snapwise; Opal by Opal OS; Ahoy! From Picardy by Daniel Jones; and Art of Fauna by Klemens Strasser.
Visuals and Graphics
Award recognition for exceptional imagery, expertly crafted interfaces, and cohesive animations.
App: Feather: Draw in 3D
Developer: Sketchsoft (South Korea)
Feather empowers users to create 3D art from 2D designs, blending robust functionality with creativity, allowing artists of all levels to bring their visions to life.
Game: Infinity Nikki
Developer: Infold Games (Singapore)
Infinity Nikki showcases extraordinary visuals in a whimsical open-world adventure, inviting players to explore a magical realm filled with delightful surprises.
Finalists in this category include Vocabulary by Monkey Taps; CellWalk by Timothy Davison; Control Ultimate Edition by Remedy Entertainment PLC; and Neva by Devolver Digital.
For more information about the Apple Design Award winners and finalists, visit developer.apple.com/design/awards or the Apple Developer app.
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