- Instagram launches Rings award to celebrate creators who take creative risks and inspire culture worldwide.
- Award designed by Grace Wales Bonner, reflecting the spirit of artistic courage and innovation.
- Winners receive a physical and digital ring, with special Instagram profile customizations to showcase creativity.
Instagram has introduced Instagram Rings, a new global award designed to celebrate creativity and the courage it takes to share original ideas with the world. The initiative honors creators who push boundaries, inspire others, and shape cultural conversations through their artistic expression.
A celebration of creativity and courage
According to Instagram, Rings celebrates the spirit of creativity, not a specific type of content. The platform calls the award a tribute to those who “aren’t afraid to take creative chances and do it their way.” It spotlights creators who turn ideas into cultural moments and inspire others.
Instagram noted that global creators often feel both excitement and vulnerability when sharing new work. Rings honors this courage, the willingness to silence self-doubt and create despite uncertainty. As the company announced, “Every act of creativity, big or small, can lead to something great.”
How Instagram Rings winners are selected
To find honorees, Instagram created a global panel of renowned creatives. This group had to nominate and vote for creators who show the award’s spirit. The panel is from diverse artistic disciplines and cultural backgrounds, which ensures the recognition reflects creativity in all its forms.
The Instagram Rings winners will receive both a physical ring and a digital ring that appears on their Instagram profiles. This digital badge will replace the standard Stories ring, displaying an exclusive gold ring around the winner’s profile picture across the app, in their profile, Stories, and Feed.
A collaboration with Grace Wales Bonner
Instagram teamed up with Grace Wales Bonner, a respected British designer, to create the physical ring award. Her work, which pushes limits by mixing fashion, identity, and art, fits perfectly with the creative goals of the Rings award.
Instagram stated that Grace’s dedication to excellent creativity in her work across many areas matches the spirit of the Rings award. They added that this partnership was a great way to present the new award.
Personalization and recognition on the platform
Besides the symbolic ring, Rings winners get new creative features in the app. They can change their profile background color and customize the “like” button. This gives them more ways to show their style and connect with their audience.
Instagram noted that these features are meant to help creators boost their creativity for the next year and clearly show off their achievements in a way that is unique to Instagram.
Instagram will soon announce the first Instagram Rings winners, celebrating their achievements and creative courage. The company hopes this program will not just honor innovative people, but also encourage others to take creative chances and help the platform’s culture grow.
