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Apple has announced the winners of its 2026 Apple Design Awards ahead of WWDC26, honouring 12 apps and games across six categories from a pool of 36 global finalists. Among the recognised entries is Guitar Wiz, developed by India based Bijoy Thangaraj, which claimed the Inclusivity category award — the sole Indian entry to receive recognition this year.
An App Built Around Accessibility
Guitar Wiz was developed as a comprehensive toolkit for guitarists across all skill levels. What sets it apart is not merely its musical utility but its deliberate emphasis on accessibility. The app provides spoken instructions covering pitch, technique, and finger placement, ensuring that users with visual impairments or learning differences are not excluded from the experience. It further integrates Apple’s Dynamic Type, Increased Contrast, and Differentiate Without Colour features, demonstrating a considered approach to inclusive design that goes well beyond standard compliance.
This combination of practical function and thoughtful accessibility placed Guitar Wiz ahead of a competitive global field, earning it Apple’s Inclusivity honour — a category that has grown increasingly prominent in the awards in recent years.
India in a Global Field
This year’s winners were drawn from nine countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, India, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, Canada, Poland, and Australia. India’s presence, represented solely by Bijoy Thangaraj, stands as a meaningful marker of the country’s growing footprint in the international app development community.
The broader awards landscape featured notable names alongside Guitar Wiz. Blue Prince by American studio Dogubomb won the Innovation category for its genre-blending puzzle-adventure design. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition from Poland’s CD Projekt took the Visuals and Graphics game award, recognised for its technical achievement on Apple silicon. The NBA app for Apple Vision Pro earned the Innovation app award for its immersive multi game viewing experience.
Recognition With Purpose
Susan Prescott, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations, noted that this year’s winners reflect how developers are creating exceptional experiences across Apple platforms. Winning developers will receive formal recognition during WWDC26.
For Bijoy Thangaraj, the award affirms that purposeful, accessibility first design can compete and win on the world stage. Guitar Wiz is a reminder that great software is not defined solely by visual spectacle but by how thoughtfully it serves every user who picks it up.
