DESIGN FOR ASIA AWARD 2005
Recognising good designs that are most influential within Asia

Half of the world's population lives in Asia. The mere fact that Asians in general are becoming more affluent, presents any business with enormous development opportunities. This massive and maturing Asian market has been the driving force behind creations that take care of the various needs of Asian consumers. From apparel and accessories, through communications and interiors to product design, the unique characteristics of Asian consumers are becoming important design considerations. Some outstanding designs have even become trendsetters, influencing the Asian way of living.

Good designs enrich our lives. Their inspirational functionalities make daily living easier, they take into account the impact design can have on our fragile environment and even serve as a public educator, showing us the true value of living a good life. As designers answer the needs of the new and growing Asian market, designs are changing every aspect of lives in the region; working, playing and living have become more enjoyable for the people of Asia.

Design for Asia Award is presented to companies from around the world that have created business successes from good designs that reflect, or have an impact on, the Asian lifestyle. There is also a special merit prize, Distinguished Design from China that is presented to outstanding designs that originate from the Greater China region.

Design for Asia Award is dedicated to promoting design excellence. It also seeks to raise awareness amongst businesses and the public alike, that good design is key to the quality of business success and the enjoyment of life.

We are now inviting entries for Design for Asia Award 2005. Your participation will help to promote the vital field of design and showcase its impact within Asia. We look forward to your support!

ENTRY CRITERIA
Design for Asia Award is open to all designs in the world that have been commercially launched in one or more Asian markets between 1 January 2003 and 31 May 2005.

DESIGN CATEGORIES
Design for Asia Award places emphasis on all-round design excellence. All entries, irrespective of their nature, will therefore, be competing with one another with the best designs winning the award. Entries should fall into one of the following FOUR categories:
-APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES DESIGN (e.g. fashion, textiles, garments, footwear, jewellery, watches, bags, eyewear, accessories, etc¡­)
-COMMUNICATION DESIGN (e.g. total branding solution, corporate communication, product communication, print communication, etc¡­)
-INTERIOR/SPATIAL DESIGN (e.g. commercial, retail, corporate, hotel and hospitality, public/institution, residential, exhibition, etc¡­)
-PRODUCT DESIGN (e.g. consumer products, business and office products, educational products, computers, consumer electronics/telecommunications, household goods, automotive and transport, sport, hobby and leisure goods, etc¡­)

ENTRY PROCESS

First Round Screening
Design for Asia Award 2005 welcomes entries from firms/companies/corporations and designers/design consultancies. Nominations are also accepted from members of professional design associations/organisations, faculty members of educational institutions related to the four submission design categories and media.
Design for Asia Award has improved its entry and judging process for 2005. Entries have been made easier with the introduction of an on-line submission facility, allowing the entrant/nominator to input contact details, design details and submit images on the one form.

First Round Screening Entry Form [for reference only]

1. There is no limit on the number of entries that each entrant/nominator can submit. There is also no limit on the number of designs that can be submitted by a company.
2. Complete in full the First Round Screening Entry Form and electronically attach a maximum of FIVE (5) JPEG images of actual design.
3. Each image is in RGB colour, not to exceed 1,024 x 768 pixels in size with a maximum of 1MB.
4. Please submit one entry form per design.
   Entries will be accepted until 15 July 2005.
5. An automatic email acknowledging receipt of the entry will be sent to the entrant/nominator. We will confirm the entry with an entry number by a separate email.
6. Currently, we do not charge any entry/handling fees for the First Round Screening.

Final Selection

1. Please refer to the Final Selection Materials Requirement Checklist. [for reference only]
2. If your entry is recommended to go through to the Final Selection process, a minimal fee of HK$1,500 will be required per finalist. We will notify each finalist accordingly regarding the payment.

PATENT AND PROTECTIVE RIGHTS
The owners of design/Designers/Design consultancies/Design manufacturers/Clients/ Service providers of entries are responsible for patent and protection of their designs. They will bear all the costs and are also fully responsible for any legal consequences concerning intellectual property rights.

OTHER INFORMATION
Any entries that do not meet entry criteria will be disqualified.
The Judging Panel's decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
The organiser reserves the right to publicise and display the whole or part of any award-winning designs without further consent.

JUDGING PROCESS AND JUDGING PANEL

There will be two rounds of assessment.

First Round Screening
The First Round Screening focuses on the excellence of the design, the impact and influence the design has within Asia and on Asian lifestyles. The decisions will be based on the information supplied by the entrant/nominator through the First Round Screening Entry Form and JPEG images. The First Round Judging Panel will select and recommend a list of finalists to go through to the Final Selection process.

The First Round Judging Panel will consist of representatives from Hong Kong Design Centre, the four founding members of Hong Kong Design Centre and two local educational institutions in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Design Centre  www.dolcn.com
Hong Kong Designers Association
The Chartered Society of Designers, Hong Kong
Interior Design Association Hong Kong
Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association
School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Department of Design, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education

Final Selection
The Final Selection is a detailed assessment, focusing on the design excellence, the impact and influence the design has within Asian and on Asian lifestyles and the commercial success of the design. The decisions will be based on the actual design, professional design images and the supporting materials submitted by the entrant.

The Final Selection Judging Panel will consist of world renowned professionals and experts from a variety of business, professional, academic and design disciplines. All will have experience both locally and internationally.
Each member of the Judging Panels can take part in the selection process for no more than three consecutive years.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Entries are assessed according to the following three criteria: www.dolcn.com

Good Design
The Judging Panels assess each entry based on its creativity, originality, innovativeness, usability and ergonomics as well as its aesthetics, workmanship, choice of materials, and application of technology. Environmental friendliness and ecological responsibility are also key points of consideration. For the communication design category, assessment is also based on communication effectiveness and clarity, along with the selection, structuring and presentation of information. For interior/spatial design, space planning, plus concept and fidelity to client's brief are also of key importance.

Impact on Asian Lifestyle & Influence in Asia
The Judging Panels are looking for forward-thinking and innovative designs that have an impact on Asian lifestyle, set trends for the Asian way of living and improve the overall quality of life. Other major considerations include: whether the design shows an inherent understanding of the distinct Asian way of life by serving the needs of Asian consumers. Finally the Judging Panels also consider whether the design sets a trend in the design field and influences its industry peers.

Commercial Success
The Judging Panels assess whether the design is key to the product's business success. It is important the design shows evidence of bringing commercial and business successes in terms of market performance including: an increase in sales and market share, better market penetration, a broadening of the consumer base and opening up of new markets. The design should also show commercial and business success in relation to financial performance, including: a reduction in manufacturing costs, an improvement in productivity and profitability, and a shortening of lead-time to market. The Judging Panels also consider whether the design has improved the corporate image and helped achieve business objectives.

PRIZE

Design for Asia Award 2005
The TEN (10) best designs will receive the prestigious Design for Asia Award. The company (the owner of the design or the brand owner) of each winning design will receive a trophy. Designer/Design consultancy of the winning designs will also be acknowledged.

Distinguished Design from China 2005
An additional FIVE (5) entries that have originated from the Greater China Region will be awarded a special merit prize, Distinguished Design from China. The company behind the Distinguished Design from China winning designs will each be presented a plaque and the designer/design consultancy will also be commended.

The Judging Panels reserve the right to vary the number of winning designs.

PUBLICITY

MEDIA EXPOSURE
There will be significant local and regional media exposure for the winning designs, including coverage in our international media partner, BusinessWeek magazine and in various local business newspapers.

HKDC AWARDS YEARBOOK
The winning designs will be showcased in the HKDC Awards 2005 yearbook.

EXHIBITION
All winning designs will be exhibited during the Business of Design Week 2005: Lifestyle Asia at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 21 to 23 November 2005.

DESIGN FOR ASIA AWARD WEBSITE
The winning designs will be showcased on the Design for Asia Award website by beginning December 2005.

USE OF DESIGN FOR ASIA AWARD 2005 WINNER LOGO
Design for Asia Award 2005 Winner Logo will be available to all award winning companies and designers/design consultancies once the results have been announced.

SCHEDULE

The award will be executed according to the following schedule:  www.dolcn.com

15 July 2005: Deadline for entries
End July 2005: First Round Screening 
Mid Sept 2005: Final Selection
21 Nov 2005: Award presentation gala dinner

ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

The winning companies will be informed in writing by early October 2005. The results of Design for Asia Award 2005 will also be announced in a press conference in Hong Kong during the Business of Design Week 2005: Lifestyle Asia.

Representative(s) from the winning companies will be invited to participate in the press conference.

AWARD PRESENTATION GALA DINNER

The winners will be honoured during an award presentation gala dinner to be held on 21 November 2005, in Hong Kong. A representative from each winning company will be invited to Hong Kong to participate in the award presentation gala dinner.

For further information, please contact:

Polly CHIK / Grace CHAN

Email: award@hkdesigncentre.org
Tel: +852 2522 8688
Fax: +852 2892 2621
Address: Hong Kong Design Centre
28 Kennedy Road
HONG KONG
Website: www.hkdesigncentre.org