A’ Design Award Calls For Entries: Time To Let Your Creativity Shine & Inspire
By Nicole Rodrigues, 15 Sep 2022
The A’ Design Award returns once again for up-and-coming designers to present their innovative solutions on the global stage. Each year, the competition gathers creatives who have stood out in various disciplines and provides them a platform to inspire others while broadening their horizons.
Projects from most design disciplines—from architecture to fashion, packaging to graphics, furniture to automotive—are welcome to be submitted.
Submissions will be reviewed by industry experts, academics, and journalists who will subsequently cast anonymous votes. To further keep opinions diverse, the panel is revised annually with the addition of new participants.
Awarded projects will be showcased in an exhibition, yearbook, and gala event in Italy—an excellent opportunity to network with the industry’s best.
Other benefits for winners include the prized 3D-printed trophy, the ability to use the A’ Design Award Winner logo on their works, a mention within the World Design Rankings, opportunities for media appearances, and much more.
If you believe you have what it takes and want a chance to share your creations with the world, the competition is open for registration until September 30 for you to enter your works. Winners will be announced on April 15, 2023.
In the meantime, we've put together a stunning lineup of past winning works below to help stimulate your creative drive.
Fold and Rescue Paper Lifeboat
by Industrial Design College of LAFA
A lifeboat that can fold and pop up into shape when necessary is intended to address the issue of having too few lifeboats on a ship. Influenced by origami boats, the nine buoyancy boards that make up the “Fold and Rescue” are connected by a soft framework, allowing it to collapse quickly. To open, simply release the three straps holding the boat together. Additionally, it includes a reflective coating to help warn passing ships of people abandoned at sea.
2030 City Blueprint Educational Learning Toy
by Chen Yu, Yi Lin, Sih Ci and Chih Ling
Our planet’s future is being propelled to the forefront of design as we scramble to find sustainable solutions. The ‘2030 City Blueprint Educational Learning Toy aims to shape the minds of future town planners and architects by producing a toy that instills the idea of an eco-friendly city at an early age.
In keeping with the theme of sustainability, the toy is created from recycled corrugated fiberboards. The set consists of buildings, cars, and wind turbines where children can map out their city on an accompanying play mat.
Green-Backed Tit Nesting Plan Art Installation and Pavillion
by Yi-Chang Chen
Set to be located at Ita Thau Pier, this wooden structure resembles a nest where people can take refuge. Inspired by nature and animals building their homes, Chen has developed an art pavilion that uses light within its walls to forge a balance between humans and nature. As per the designer, “Lighting fixtures with proper light distribution and cut-off angle are integrated with the structure of the installation to build a glare-free ambiance.”
Sakakini Fragrance Packaging
by Amir Ibrahim Mousa
Amir Ibrahim Mousa takes forgotten Egyptian architecture and infuses it into a perfume bottle. The Sakakini Palace is from the late 19th century and played an integral part in the make-up of these bottles. The golden dome at the top of the bottle is a replica of its real-world counterpart. “The building is covered with floral and vegetal decorations of the Italian Rococo type. Over 300 statues are placed inside and outside the residence,” denotes the designer. The idea of using the palace as inspiration was to bring this piece of architecture to the people and make it accessible to them.
Lake Tea Table
by Xia Yiting
This ovular tea table represents the flow and ebb of a lake. The quiet coziness of wood furniture is captured in this centerpiece as its curved structure presents an “ethereal feeling to modern home space,” according to the designer. The tea table also hides modern features such as a USB port and an international three-hole connection, marrying the future with nature.
Object Splash Proof Partition
by Akira Nakagomi
The pandemic saw our society trying to stay apart from each other with urgency. During this time, the introduction of plastic partitions started sprouting worldwide to keep diners safe when eating together. Creator Akira Nakagomi has taken an inspired approach to the protective piece by creating a circular version of the usual rectangular plastic divider with one that is colorfully edged. The work stands on a bronze holder and intends to be used even after the pandemic.
Relstation Privacy Chair
by Mitra Mohebbi
An isopod creature in nature called the woodlouse is the inspiration for this next project. The chair resembles the hard outer shell of the insect as it coils over its user, who can nestle within it for privacy. The ergonomic armor of the chair allows its user to change its shape just as the woodlouse would in nature.
According to Mitra Mohebbi, the “Relstation is a kind of privacy lounge; this category of chairs is designed to distance the user from today’s busy life and to have a completely personal space for the user. The idea of this chair comes from nature and gives you peace and comfort.”
Zagros Candles
by Mohammad Meyzari and Reza Deris
The ‘Zagros Candle’ holder looks to the mountain landscape of Iran as a driving force for its design. “Due to the special importance of this mountain range in creating four seasons in the geographical location of Iran and respect for the environment, the main idea was put on the topography of this mountain range,” states the designers.
Zagros uses quality fuel that produces a bright flame that doesn’t smoke or smell. The candle holder also utilizes reusable gas capsules, which are more sustainable.
Waves Closet
by Hasan Ozkul
As the designer grew up along the Mediterranean coast, the ocean played a significant role in the creation process of this modular closet. The electric blue closet is a physical manifestation of the phenomenon of waves cresting along the shoreline. “When the body language of the piece of water is transformed into a sharp, linear form, it becomes boxy yet messy.”
Meandre Bottle and Package Design
by Jiawei Wu
This perfume formula’s earthy and woody notes are manifested in a stone-made bottle. Residing as the cap on the top of the bottle is a branch. The smell and the sights of the ‘Meandre’ are meant to transport its wearer to a rural French forest. “The packaging system of the méandre is mainly focused on creating an immersive experience for customers to bring them wandering in the forest with the footprints,” notes the designer.
Honmido Sand Packaging
by Yoshiro None
Confectionary brand Honmido is marrying Western and Japanese sweets together in this new packaging that unfolds to reveal a sweet treasure. “The package fuses Japanese family crests with Western ornamentation. The leaf element was taken out of the ivy brand mark, which expresses natural nourishment and turned into a package,” cites None.
RGB Hotel Homestay
by Xiaobing Yao
“Starting from the local lifestyle and national culture, the design of RGB Hotel hopes to convey to people the brand positioning of visualization, youth, and life through modern design methods,” states Yao. RGB represents the elements and is an abbreviation for Red (the sun), Green (the jungle), and Blue (the sky). The angular structure was modeled to improve functionality and to serve more guests residing within its walls easily.
Yueyun Teahouse Exhibition Center
by Zhubo Design
“Affected by the unique geographical location and environmental conditions, the building’s overall shape inspiration is drawn from the Fibonacci spiral line, also known as the golden spiral,” states the designer. “The Fibonacci spiral line is the materialized representation of the most perfect golden ratio in nature.”
The glass building was constructed in strict accordance with the Fibonacci spiral, also known as the golden ratio, taking a rational approach to creativity. The building is set to be the centerpiece of the garden, a modern beacon of architecture sprouting out amidst the flora.
Rozna Restaurant
by Suliman Al Kindi
The ‘Rozna Restaurant’ is inviting guests to take a step back into the past as it gives fine dining a historic twist. The castle-like structure is slated as the only “restaurant in Oman that is modeled like an ancient fort.” A giant wooden carved door will first greet guests before entering the fort. There are also 30 private rooms and two VIP areas for Oman's crème de la crème. To accurately capture the stunning visage of ancient forts, the creative team visited different forts around Oman to study various structures in detail.
The designers cite a “chasm that was left unattended for a long time in Oman,” in the sense of a missing connection between heritage and culinary. The Rozan Restaurant aims to fill that void.
Lako Holiday House
by Yaser and Yasin Rashid Shomali
“The primary goal was to create harmony with the surroundings by extending the sloping roof to the ground. Thus, the futuristic and modern form was born during this process,” say the designers. ‘Lako’ is an A-frame vacation home with a geometric structure exterior and a warm and cozy interior complete with a 70s-style conversation pit.
Nostalgia Moon Wearable Art
by Chelsea Shin
“In 2021, Chelsea Shin started to design the collection “Nostalgia Moon” by recalling herself praying for the peace and well-being of her grandmother on the moon in the night sky,” as said in the write-up depicting the designer’s creative process. “The most essential element of her design was adding circles to the basic bodice patterns and using flexible boning to the edges of each garment to emphasize the softness of the round moon that she captured every night.”
The collection recreates the moon through 3D shapes seen throughout the collection.
Aeronautics Light Fixtures
by Igor Lobanov
Igor Lobanov captures the beauty of clouds and air in an imaginative display of hanging light fixtures. “The family includes two basic shapes: “Zeppelin” and “Balloon.” These shapes are designed to be used in various applications, sizes, and proportions,” reflects the creator.
Divergence Game Kit
by eMotionLAB
‘Divergence’ is a card game that centers around storytelling and puzzle solving as players have to help their characters out of different situations. The interactive game promotes a collaborative effort as players weave through other challenges together.
The game is split into three stages where players will convene around the cards and, through the rounds, come up with solutions before finally presenting their ideas in the last game.
Ungrey Private Apartment in Mumbai
by Prashant Chauhan
A client’s wish to no longer stay in traditional gray housing structures has sparked a colorful interior featuring bright and vibrant hues that bring life to this private apartment. The stunning mix of oranges, pinks, and electric blues captures the spirit of being the antithesis of stoic gray houses.
Anydrop Information Interaction
By Yurui Shi, Zipeng Zhang and Junyi Yi
“Inspired by the metaverse, we hope to find a new carrier for information interaction. Through the analysis of user journey map, we find out that information relates to a unique scene, such as the exhibition information of the art museum or the train schedule in a railway station,” states the designers. “Users are able to project information to a fixed geographical location and encapsulate within. Anydrop filters recipients by location to maximize the integration of information with its scene.”
The app uses zones to connect people in the same area together. For example, notes for everyone attending the same conference can be shared using the app. Only devices in the same spatial area can share or access information. The technology behind this app is geofencing, which uses a signal deployed in the area to determine the users’ real-world parameters.
Cloud Mountain Type Type Design
by Meng Shenhui
‘Cloud Mountain’ puts a spin on ancient Chinese paintings by transforming traditional cloud painting techniques into optical illusions. The designer has cleverly turned the clouds into a western alphabet typeface. A close-up examination of the cloud mountain and nothing may be amiss. But take a step back and look at the big picture, and a letter emerges through the inky blotches.
So, now you’ve made it through the list, why not make it your turn to inspire others with your creativity? Deadline for entries closes September 30—don't miss it.
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