Apple announces the 2023 Apple Design Awards winners

June 5, 2023

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Apple announces the 2023 Apple Design Awards winners

At WWDC23, winners are recognized for excellence in innovation, creativity, and technical achievement in app and game design

Today, Apple proudly revealed the winners of its annual Apple Design Awards, celebrating 12 best-in-class apps and games. This year’s winners, from development teams around the world, submitted creative and innovative apps grounded in great design.

Six different categories recognize one app and game each for inclusiveness, joy, fun, interactivity, social impact, visuals, graphics, and innovation. The winners were selected from among 36 finalists, all demonstrating outstanding technical achievement.

“Apps and games are an integral part of how we live, work, and play. At Apple, we love recognizing outstanding developers whose apps reflect incredible creativity and design excellence,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “We want to celebrate each of our Apple Award winners. Design this year for crafting thoughtful app experiences and compelling gameplay, empowering and entertaining users everywhere.”

inclusivity

The winners in this category provide an outstanding experience for all by supporting people from a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and languages.

program: Universe – Website Builder
Developer: Universe Exploration Corporation (USA)

By reducing complexity and removing barriers to entry, Universe makes website building possible for everyone. The app enables people to create the perfect online storefront, artist home, community group page, or personal web presence, all while implementing features like Dynamic Type and VoiceOver to make the universe accessible to as many as possible.

Game: stitch.
Developer: Lykke Studios (Thailand)

With cross-generational appeal, Bring Stitch. , the title of Apple Arcade, the soothing and meditative art of embroidery for its users. As the game progresses, the designs get more difficult while the background music lulls the players into a state of calm. With support for multiple languages ​​and accessibility options tailored for those who are color blind, visually impaired, and motion sensitive, everyone can join in the fun.

Include the finalists for this category Passenger assistance by TRANSREPORT, that by Alessandro Di Maio, Old board game set by Clemens Strasser, W Find Hannah by Fein Games GmbH.

Cheerful and fun

The winners in this category deliver memorable, engaging, and satisfying experiences enhanced by Apple technologies.

program: Duolingo
Developer: Duolingo, Inc. (United State)

More than a decade after its launch, Duolingo continues to expand its comprehensive approach to language learning with a redesigned experience and the introduction of new courses for endangered, indigenous, and fictional languages. Users come for an expanding catalog of dialogue and survival for the delightful characters and fun experience, including quests, challenges and leaderboards to keep learners engaged.

Game: after the place
Developer: Evan Case (United States)

A vintage pixel adventure with a contemporary twist, Afterplace is an unforgettable role-playing game with a modern edge, balancing nostalgia, dry humor, and exploration. It has been lovingly designed for mobile and is controlled with swipes and clicks instead of virtual buttons. The game’s clever onboard game play is two players in the world, and the intuitive one-handed control system makes it easy and fun to discover Afterplace’s quirky surprises and hidden rewards.

Include the finalists for this category Generous By The Cream Group Inc. hymns by IORAMA, Pocket Card Jockey: Ride! by GAME FREAK Inc. And Knot By Zack Gage and Jack Schlesinger.

interaction

The winners in this category offer user-friendly interfaces and intuitive controls perfectly designed for their platform.

program: reckless
Developer: Flighty LLC (United States)

Flighty provides users with detailed flight maps, airport navigation, and delay prediction – all through a beautifully designed app experience. With key information where it’s needed most, an intuitive interface, and comprehensive live maps, Flighty makes travel navigation seamless. The app carefully integrates Apple technology, including Siri Shortcuts, Apple Maps, Live Activities, and more, to keep travelers covered in every part of the journey.

Game: Railroad
Developer: Afterburn (Poland)

Interacting with Railbound pleases with its simplicity, including a setup experience that noticeably leaves out words, points, and menu navigation. Undoing and reworking mistakes is easy with clever game designs. With original animations and colorful visuals, Railbound is a polished puzzle game that’s easy to pick up and hard to put together.

Include the finalists for this category Quirks by Pinterest by Pinterest, Inc. Tidal guide: charts and tables by Condor Digital LLC; automatics by Idle Friday LTD; And Kimono cats by HumaNature Studios Inc.

social impact

The winners in this category improve their lives in a meaningful way and highlight critical issues.

program: emptiness
Developer: Headspace (United States)

Bringing mindfulness to the masses, Headspace’s thoughtful designs are tangible via its simple user interface, charming video content, and standout illustrations. Users can choose from a number of diverse voices to guide them through the app’s expanding catalog of content suitable for a range of needs, from long guided sessions to a five-minute lucidity break. Apple Watch integration into the app also provides a moment of mindfulness on one’s wrist at any time.

Game: Endling
Developer: HandyGames (Germany)

In this side-scrolling game, Endling casts players as a fox fighting to navigate a land charred by environmental disaster and human impact. Players are given the opportunity to build an immediate sense of empathy and connection with the main character. The simple controls of the game ensure that the story remains the focus of the gameplay rather than the interactions.

Include the finalists for this category Duolingo By Duolingo, Inc. Sago’s first simple words by Sago Mini; Too late by Team Hindsight; And Beecarbonize by Charles Games sr

Visuals and graphics

The winners in this category feature stunning visuals, skillfully drawn interfaces, and high-quality animation that give them a distinct and cohesive feel.

program: any distance
Developer: Any Distance Inc. (United State)

Any Distance is a forward-looking workout tracker, offering dynamic and shareable graphics to its users. The app takes full advantage of live activities and Apple Watch integration to collect and present fitness data, which can include not only traditional workouts like running and cycling, but also wheelchair exercises, strollers and walkers, and recumbent bike rides. The allure of collectible medals within the app and the encouraging social community add to the fun and keep people motivated.

Game: Resident Evil Village
Developer: Capcom Co., Ltd. (Japan)

This horror adventure game offers brilliant visual detail powered by Apple silicon, ProMotion, Metal 3 and extended dynamic range. From Resident Evil Village’s spooky castle to its crumbling factories, the graphics are among the most realistic and atmospheric offered on Mac.

Include the finalists for this category Gentlemen’s Strike Health Fitness by Gentler Stories LLC; review by Forge and Form GmbH; Immortal Diablo by Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. and NetEase, Inc. And Endling by HandyGames.

innovation

The winners in this category deliver an enhanced experience through new use of Apple technologies that set them apart in the genre.

program: SwingVision: AI Tennis app
Developer: SwingVision Inc. (United State)

Through the combined powers of artificial intelligence and a neural engine, SwingVision acts as a tennis coach that can assist with every aspect of one’s game. SwingVision’s advanced video tracking capabilities help it intelligently evaluate the model, highlight strengths, and suggest areas for improvement. Not only is the data pulled from the camera, but through the Apple Watch integration as well.

Game: Marvel Snap
Developer: Second Supper (China)

MARVEL SNAP features gorgeous animation and hilarious touches that perfectly channel the personalities of each multiverse character. This collectible card game redefines the genre with fast-paced gameplay and an innovative “snap” mechanic that instantly doubles the stakes and introduces whole new layers of strategy to the game.

Include the finalists for this category camo by Reincubate Ltd. Altitude: Energy and sleep tracker by Rise Science Inc. Resident Evil Village by CAPCOM Co., Ltd. And stitch. by Lykke Studios.

To learn more about the Apple Design Award winners and finalists, visit developer.apple.com/design/awards or the Apple Developer app.

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