Date: 31 October 2017
Company: Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC)
As a hub of creative talents, Hong Kong paves the way for the design industry and celebrates those who push creative boundaries. This year, the DFA Awards recognised over 200 creative talents and the most innovative design projects with the potential to improve the quality and vibrancy of life in Asia through the creation of globally sustainable ideas.
Organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) with Create Hong Kong of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government as the major sponsor, the DFA Awards presentation ceremonies will take place on 6 and 8 December 2017 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Awards offers a stage to some of the most dedicated talents, encouraging the growth of the creative industry and providing a platform to establish networks with designers and business leaders.
The DFA Awards, through its five major award programmes, is highly recognised among local and international design professionals and experts. Talents from around the globe have been awarded the following: one DFA Lifetime Achievement Award, one DFA Design Leadership Award, one DFA World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer, 186 DFA Design for Asia Awards and 17 DFA Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award.
“The mission of the Hong Kong Design Centre is to celebrate talents and good designs that improve quality of life, promote social innovation and preserve cultural heritage. After decade-long efforts, the Awards has become one of the most prestigious and important awards in the design industry, and we are delighted to see so many entries that were aimed to address environmental and sustainability issues. This year, the DFA Design for Asia Awards saw a 15 per cent increase in submissions, while the DFA Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award received a rise of 9 per cent in submissions,” said Professor Eric Yim, Chairman of HKDC.
In 2017, it received more than 1,000 entries from over 23 economies, with the highest entry number from Mainland China and closely followed by Hong Kong. The judging panel comprising industry leaders and experts recognised 186 design projects for their design excellence, including 16 Grand Awards and 170 awards from four design disciplines (a total of 26 categories) in Category Award, while Japan tops the leader board, followed by Mainland China and Hong Kong.
The DFA Design for Asia Awards is measured by four perspectives, namely, impact in Asia, overall excellence, use of technology, as well as commercial and societal success. It also appreciates and celebrates the designs that embody Asian aesthetics and bring about new design trends. This year, 17 design practitioners or graduates are awarded. Thirteen out of the 17 awardees will receive a financial sponsorship amount up to HKD500,000 for six-to-twelve-month overseas work attachment or study to further stimulate design thinking and thus contributing to Hong Kong’s ever-expanding creative industry upon return.
Besides recognising young talents, the DFA Awards also underpins the roles of designers in society and celebrates design leadership and exemplary design in Asia. The DFA Lifetime Achievement Award 2017 recognises an individual who has made life-long contributions to the design profession. The DFA Design Leadership Award 2017 is presented to a corporate leader who consistently demonstrates outstanding business performance, as well as supports design development in the organisation and the international community. Lastly, the DFA World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer awards a Chinese designer who has an exceptional track record for quality and success.
DFA Lifetime Achievement Award (DFA LAA)
Yohji Yamamoto (Designer)
DFA Design Leadership Award (DFA DLA)
Adrian Zecha (Non-executive Chairman of General Hotel Management; Founder of Azerai Hotels; Founder of Amanresorts)
DFA World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer (DFA WOCD)
Alan Chan (Designer, Brand Consultant and Artist; Founder of Alan Chan Design Company)
