Mumbles Game Creator Shortlisted for Apple Design Award
A Swansea-based artist and game developer is earning international recognition after being shortlisted in one of the world’s most prestigious digital design competitions.
Tom Mead, who lives in Mumbles, has been named a finalist in the Visuals and Graphics category of the 2026 Apple Design Awards for his acclaimed underwater exploration game, Silt. The awards celebrate the very best in app and game design, with the Visuals and Graphics category recognising experiences that combine stunning imagery, expertly crafted interfaces and exceptional animation with a distinctive artistic vision.
Silt stood out among entries from around the world thanks to its striking monochrome aesthetic and atmospheric underwater world. The game invites players to descend into a mysterious oceanic abyss, possessing sea creatures to solve environmental puzzles while uncovering long-forgotten secrets hidden in the depths.
Describing the achievement, Tom said:
“Our game Silt was chosen as a visual design finalist at the Apple Design Awards in San Francisco. Apple are currently flying me out there to Apple Park to celebrate.
“I live in Mumbles with my family and have never been to West Coast America so it’s all very exciting.
“Hopefully going there will help me meet good contacts to help making more games in the future.
“I absolutely love where I live. I believe it’s a special place and it’s spurred me on to create more and more games and animations. Hopefully next time with a Welsh team!”
Being named an Apple Design Awards finalist places Silt alongside some of the most innovative and visually accomplished digital experiences in the world, highlighting the calibre of work being produced right here in Swansea.
