We’re excited to share that Aura Ink, our first fully wireless color e-paper photo frame, has been honored with a 2026 iF Design Award, one of the world’s most respected seals of design excellence.
Celebrating outstanding design across products, communication and user experience, the iF Design Awards attract thousands of entries from more than 100 countries each year. To be awarded is a recognition from an independent jury of 129 international leading design and sustainability experts who evaluate every project through a rigorous, transparent process. Entries are judged based on idea, form, function, differentiation, and sustainability. Having Aura Ink recognized alongside the world’s most innovative and beautifully crafted products is a meaningful validation of our commitment to marrying thoughtful design with everyday connection.
“With Ink, we challenged ourselves to design a frame that honors the photograph,” said Scott Chapps, Chief Creative Officer at Aura. “Its reflective e-paper display, cordless form, and refined materiality allow it to live comfortably in a space without demanding attention. Winning an iF Design Award is an incredible honor because it recognizes the intention behind every detail and our belief that technology should enhance your home—not interrupt it.”
Aura Ink reimagines how we live with our photos by blending the warmth and presence of print with the intelligence of digital. At its heart is a 13.3″ color E Ink Spectra™ 6 display and Aura’s proprietary dithering algorithm, which transforms just six colors into the illusion of millions of tones. The result is photos with a softly lit, vintage look that feels more like a printed picture than a digital screen—a calm counterpoint to the bright screens so common in today’s digital home.
Unlike most digital frames on the market, Ink is truly cordless thanks to its ultra-efficient e-paper technology—running for months on a single charge and letting you place it anywhere without being tethered to an outlet. Its subtle front light mimics natural illumination, making photos feel like part of the home rather than another glowing screen.
We believe that design should do more than just look good—it should make people feel good. With Ink, we set out to create a product that doesn’t simply display memories, but honors them in a way that feels intentional, ambient, and human-centered. By designing a frame that is beautiful enough to live on your wall and effortless to use in any space, Ink becomes part of your everyday environment—increasing the likelihood that you’ll be reminded of life’s best moments. Those small, repeated reminders are powerful; they help people feel closer to the ones they love, no matter where they are. The iF Design Award celebrates exactly that synthesis of form and function—a philosophy that guides everything we build at Aura.
This recognition follows the meaningful industry accolades our products have earned, from Aspen’s inclusion on TIME’s Best Inventions list to Calm Tech certifications, reinforcing the real innovation and emotional impact behind the way Aura brings memories into the home.