Design Competitions and Award Winning
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
Design competitions have long been regarded as the gold standard for recognizing and celebrating excellence in the field of product and service design. Prestigious awards such as the IF Design Award, Red Dot, ADC Awards, European Product Design Award (ePDA), and International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) are more than just symbols of recognition. They serve as undeniable proof of quality, innovation, and the impact a design has on users or the market. However, winning goes beyond the moment of triumph and brings about a ripple effect of benefits for the designer, product, and manufacturer, which I will try to outline here.
Acquiring these valuable awards is a journey filled with excitement and euphoria, and being recognized for one's work is undoubtedly one of the most motivating experiences, not only for designers. However, what truly sets these competitions apart is the influence they have on various aspects related to the awarded project, including new career trajectories for the designer, a stronger market presence and competitiveness for the product and brand, and reputation for the brand and its owner.
Design competitions also play a significant role in shaping industry trends, influencing the future of design, and promoting sustainable practices. The impact and reach of these awards are global, transcending different sectors and inspiring design innovations that challenge conventions and push the boundaries of what is possible. It is also one of the few opportunities to compete and win against the world's biggest companies. The photo below is the best evidence of this, where during the IF Design Gold Award ceremony (which is considered on par with the Academy Awards), we stand on stage as equals with representatives from Apple, Sony, HP, and Lenovo.
However, at the heart of these competitions are the jurors, which might not have been as obvious to me before. They are usually the best and most respected designers in the world who bear the responsibility of evaluating and recognizing the work of other designers. Their expertise and critical thinking ensure that the awards reflect the highest standards of design excellence, something I have witnessed firsthand on numerous occasions. And honestly, I have always been aware of the tremendous significance of these competitions and the awards they bestow, but it wasn't until I started being invited to serve as a juror that I fully appreciated them because it is only from within that you truly see how challenging it is to win each of these awards.
In this blog post, I will delve into the cascading effects of winning design awards, discussing the benefits from the perspective of the designer, product, and manufacturer. Additionally, we will shed light on the fundamental role that jurors/designers play in these competitions, emphasizing the importance of mutual evaluation in maintaining the integrity, credibility, and highest level of these awards.
Designer's Perspective
For designers, winning prestigious international awards is not just a momentary recognition but a catalyst for professional advancement and personal growth, bringing with it:
Recognition: An award is a testament to the designer's creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to translate ideas into concrete and effective solutions. It confirms the quality of their work and concepts, often affirming their mastery of the craft. This recognition often comes from industry peers and design experts who serve as jurors in these competitions, giving the validation even greater significance. The respect gained within such a respected community significantly elevates the designer's professional standing.
Career advancement: Awards serve as gateways to significant opportunities in the design industry. Winning can lead to collaborations with larger brands and more exciting projects that pose greater challenges to the designer's skills, enriching their portfolio. It can also open doors to judging or speaking at industry events, providing a platform to share insights, experiences, and knowledge while positioning them as leaders and experts in their field.
Networking opportunities: Award ceremonies for design attract numerous professionals from different fields and industries. These events provide invaluable networking opportunities, allowing designers to connect with potential collaborators, partners, or mentors. These relationships can lead to future collaborations, provide new perspectives, and help expand their professional network.
Increased visibility: Winning a design award invariably leads to increased media exposure. This visibility can attract new clients interested in their multi-award-winning approach to design. Design firms looking to hire often target award-winning designers to strengthen their team's strength and reputation. Essentially, an award can significantly improve a designer's market presence.
Inspiration for continuous innovation: Winning an award can greatly boost morale, inspiring designers to push the boundaries of their creativity further. Knowing that their work is appreciated and respected motivates them to maintain the highest standards in their future projects. This spirit fosters a cycle of excellence and nurtures their professional development like nothing else.
In summary, for designers, winning prestigious design awards goes far beyond a moment of recognition. It is a career-defining event that paves the way for future possibilities and encourages continuous skill improvement, solidifying their position in the industry. If any students are reading this, most of these major competitions have their versions specifically for students. Winning these awards is the best catapult for your future careers.
https://ifdesign.com/en/if-design-award-night
Product's Perspective
When a product receives a prestigious design award, it strengthens the product's character, positioning it as a benchmark for quality and innovation, setting it apart from the competition. Like for designers, it is not just a badge or a trophy but a package of benefits that include:
Consumer trust: A multiple-award-winning product instills consumer trust, assuring them of its exceptional quality, functionality, and design. It is a testament to the product's value, signaling that it has undergone rigorous testing and proven itself superior to the competition. This validation significantly increases consumer trust and can influence purchasing decisions.
Market advantage: In an increasingly competitive market, an award serves as a unique selling point that distinguishes the product from its competitors. It captures the attention of both consumers and industry professionals, providing the product with a competitive edge and increasing its market visibility.
Impact on sales: Design awards often correlate with a noticeable increase in sales. Retailers and distributors are more inclined to stock and promote award-winning products, associating them with high quality and innovative design. Essentially, an award acts as a seal of excellence, significantly enhancing the market appeal of the product and its sales performance. From my experience, even if customers in a particular industry may not pay much attention to such awards, the people responsible for purchasing in large distribution networks certainly do. Their decisions directly translate into increased sales, which can even rise by several hundred percent, as I have experienced several times.
Influence: Award-winning projects are recognized not only for their aesthetic and functional qualities but also for their impact on users and the environment. Awards often represent values and solutions that have the potential to improve users' quality of life, thereby causing positive social changes. "Impact" is one of the key evaluation criteria for a product in competitions and probably one of my favorites. These considerations elevate the status of the product, resonating with conscious consumers and leaving a lasting impact on the world. It's a kind of reward for addressing "real" problems.
Brand owner's Perspective
For manufacturers, having a multi-award-winning product in their portfolio is equivalent to achieving a Michelin star for a restaurant. It enhances their credibility and market position while also compelling them to continuously develop and improve their quality. Being an awarded producer or brand is like a promise of satisfaction to their customers. And as you can see, even the biggest global brands regularly submit their products for evaluation. And just like in the previous perspectives, this viewpoint brings various benefits:
Brand reputation: Winning a design award strengthens the manufacturer's reputation, emphasizing their commitment to quality and innovation. It sends a strong signal to the market about the manufacturer's ability to deliver top-tier products, bolstering the brand's image.
Competitive advantage: An award provides manufacturers with a competitive edge. It sets them apart in a crowded market and attracts discerning customers who value quality and innovation. Consequently, it can lead to a stronger market presence and increased market share.
Increased sales: As multiple-award-winning products naturally attract more customers due to the aforementioned factors, manufacturers can benefit from increased sales. This improved performance can positively impact profitability and the manufacturer's development, helping to introduce even more innovative solutions to the market, and so on.
Talent attraction: Manufacturers of award-winning products have a higher chance of attracting qualified designers and professionals. Talented individuals often seek to work for companies recognized for their excellence, innovation, and commitment to quality. Therefore, being a multiple-award-winning manufacturer can increase the talent pool for the company, creating an environment of excellence and innovation. It is no wonder that the most commonly encountered phrase in company descriptions, brands, or products is "Award-winning..."
IF Design Award Jury Session 2020Being recognized for one's work is truly an extraordinary experience, but it is just one aspect of finding fulfillment in this profession. On the other side of the awards, there is the opportunity to serve as a juror in these prestigious competitions, which is a whole new kind of recognition. As a multiple-time juror in prestigious design competitions, I had the privilege and responsibility of evaluating the creative efforts of my colleagues. This experience cannot be easily described because the level of complexity and responsibility of these evaluations is incomparable to any other challenge in this profession. Being a jury member is not just about evaluating projects and selecting the most beautiful products from thousands submitted for evaluation. It requires a deep understanding of the design process, a sensitivity to innovation, and the ability to appreciate nuances in each of these products.
That's why it is crucial who sits on the jury. And if you pay attention, you will notice that the jurors in design competitions such as the IF Design Award, Red Dot, ADC Awards, European Product Design Award (ePDA) or International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) are often outstanding designers, seasoned practitioners, or experts in the field of design. Their perspective on a product is not critical but understanding of the process behind it. That's why the prestige of these awards doesn't only come from the accolades themselves but from gaining approval from those who truly understand the value of well-executed design work.
Sometimes, certain award-winning projects may seem unremarkable or even obvious at first glance, but it is precisely in these projects that true genius can lie, discernible only to experts. Designer jurors, due to their experience, can see beyond the external aesthetics of a project and understand the complex processes that led to the final product, rewarding that aspect because no one understands better than they do that in design, true magic often happens within. There is a certain regularity stating that products that are "simple on the outside" are often the most complex on the inside. Therefore, it is important for design competitions to have design practitioners as jurors because only they can fully appreciate how the project author tackled the problems encountered. It doesn't matter whether these problems were technical, technological, related to optimization, ergonomics, or usability because a good designer should be able to deal with all of them. And receiving recognition from a group of experts who understand all these steps and can perceive such problems is proof that the award recipient is a true master of their craft. It is a genuine honor and one of the most significant achievements that add value to their professional profile.
https://euipo.europa.eu/portal/en/designs/designeuropa-awardsAnother essential aspect is that competitions not only bring together the greatest talents in the design field but also create a unique platform for the exchange of thoughts, ideas, and inspiration. It is a place where designers from different countries, specializations, and even generations can come together, learn from each other, and contribute to the collective progress of the design industry. The design competitions have the potential to foster a sense of community and collaboration among designers, transcending borders and cultural differences.
In conclusion, winning design awards is not just about receiving recognition. It has a profound impact on the designer, product, and manufacturer. From career advancement and increased visibility to market advantages and improved sales, these awards serve as catalysts for success. Moreover, the involvement of experienced designers as jurors in these competitions ensures that the awards maintain their integrity and reflect the highest standards of design excellence. So, if you are a designer or a design enthusiast, do not underestimate the significance of design competitions and the awards they bestow. Participate, showcase your work, and embrace the possibilities they offer. And if you are ever invited to serve as a juror, consider it an honor and a chance to contribute to the growth and development of the design community.
In light of this, I wholeheartedly encourage each and every one of you to participate in these competitions, all the while recognizing that there is something far more valuable in the life of a professional industrial designer. Our greatest reward, after all, is not a mere trophy displayed on a shelf at home. It is the privilege we possess to shape reality and bring about positive transformations in the lives of others. This privilege also carries our greatest responsibility—one we must never forget. Let us remember that, beyond the accolades, our true purpose as designers is to create meaningful experiences and contribute to a better future for all.