Australian National Maritime Museum wins two Australian Good Design AwardsAustralian National Maritime Museum wins two Australian Good Design Awards 

The Australian National Maritime Museum is proud to announce that it has been successful in winning two Australian Good Design Awards in 2025.

The museum was successful in two categories - Built Environment and Digital Design

The Built Environment winning entry was for the design of the exhibition Ultimate Depth - A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea which features James Cameron’s DEEPSEA CHALLENGER.

The Awards Jury said, ‘An exhibition, part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, focusing on Ocean Literacy and public awareness of the ocean as fundamental to the health and survival of humankind. A rich and vibrant exhibition, with a playful immediacy from the geometry, colour and layering. A tangible atmosphere that engages visitors, in particular children. The multi-dimensional nature of this exhibition is commendable, especially creating low level experiences for children. Clear storyline and messaging, good use of graphics, colour and lighting to express the 'ocean depth' experience to a young audience. Smart, innovative and impactful design at its best.’

The museum team worked with Ben Cisterne Design Pty Ltd, Slade Smith Graphic Design, Grainger Films and Junior Major in realising the project.

The exhibition is currently running and is set to close in August 2026.

The Digital Design project was for the design of the museum’s redeveloped website.

The Awards Jury said ‘The Australian National Maritime Museum’s new digital platform redefines how Australians connect with maritime heritage. Beautiful visual identity and branding, simple IA and easy to navigate. Overall, a well-designed website, thoughtful and well executed re-design that brings clarity, accessibility, and relevance to a national cultural institution. While the visual and UX approach is consistent with best practices rather than groundbreaking, the project succeeds in making the content more engaging and discoverable for a broader audience. A brilliant showcase of innovation and impact in this category. Well done.’

The museum team worked alongside agencies Pollen and Kororo on the project. The winning design work can be seen here: www.sea.museum 

The 2025 Australian Good Design Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday 17 October, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney, where more than 1,000 distinguished guests from design, architecture, engineering, and business sectors will come together to celebrate the transformational power of good design.

At the Ceremony, Winners will receive their official Good Design Tick Trophy. The Best in Class Winners, along with recipients of the Special Accolades, the Good Design Award for Sustainability, and the Australian Good Design Award of the Year – the nation’s highest design honour, will all be announced exclusively at the Awards Ceremony.

Rachel Wye, Managing Director of Good Design Australia, reflects on the calibre of this year’s entries: ‘The standard of Award Winners in this year’s Australian Good Design Awards was the highest on record, with game-changing projects that push the envelope of good design, design innovation and design impact. These Awards clearly demonstrate the transformational power of design to create a better and more sustainable future.

She added: ‘The projects honoured this year show how thoughtful design can drive meaningful change – from the way we live and work to how we care for our planet. The Australian Good Design Awards are proud to recognise these world-class examples of design excellence, which not only enhance human experience, but also make a profound contribution to creating a more balanced and sustainable world.’

The Awards recognise design excellence from around the world, across 13 Design Disciplines and more than 35 categories, spanning the built environment, product design, engineering, digital, social impact, policy design and many more categories.

Each entry undergoes a rigorous evaluation by over 80 international Jurors, assessed against three core criteria: Good Design, Design Innovation, and Design Impact.

With a proud heritage dating back to 1958, the Australian Good Design Awards remain the nation’s oldest and most prestigious international design accolade, continuing to champion the critical role of design in shaping a brighter, fairer, and more sustainable future.