Organiser’s Message
This is the year of transformative change in more ways than one. Singapore Design Awards has been honouring outstanding designers, design students and design practices from across the world and it remains the leading design award in Southeast Asia. To foster a more inclusive creative industry and supportive ecosystem for designers, the 33rd edition of the awards will introduce new changes this year.
The awards will do away with specific entry categories which separate students, professionals and corporates, and instead accept submissions from any creative persons who use design as their primary problem-solving tool. It will be one that is relevant to the current challenges that Singapore faces and we are very honoured to be working more closely with the government agencies - National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and Singapore Government Partnerships Office (SGPO).
Designers have a raw skill set that’s very valuable in the future, in that we offer much impact on a product, company and society through our creativity and innovative thinking. I welcome you to support this exciting revamped initiative and look forward to receiving your submissions!
About the Awards
The Singapore Design Awards honours outstanding designers, design students and design practices for their innovative design and human-centric approach. It aims to raise awareness for the region and the strategic role of designers with Singapore at the heart of a dynamic Southeast Asia.
First conceived in 1988 and unveiled by then Prime Minister of Singapore.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew at the first Singapore International Design Forum, it was an initiative led by the Designers Association Singapore (now Design Business Chamber Singapore) and the Trade Development Board (now IE Singapore).
As an award that has always been dedicated to celebrating design, Singapore Design Awards is committed to acknowledge and affirm the people behind the scenes – the ones leading the charge and a new blood of innovators in the right step forward. This year, we’ve changed the game to acknowledge the evolution of a designer’s role. Though designers are natural problem solvers, they cannot tackle all the issues alone.
Co-created with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and in partnership with Singapore Government Partnerships Office (SGPO), the awards will continue to address the current challenges that Singapore is facing, serving as a launchpad for designers to transform them into opportunities for innovative design solutions.
Design Challenge
Youths form a vital part of our social fabric and are the future of the nation. They possess a wealth of opportunities and strengths, contributing to the vibrancy of our society. However, some face challenging circumstances, such as socioeconomic disadvantages, family instability, school disengagement or mental health conditions. The challenges faced by our youths today are unique and multifaceted. While there are programmes and initiatives that have nurtured and benefited many youths, some may not have been able to access such opportunities. These youths often may require support across multiple areas to effectively navigate their circumstances, overcome their challenges and realise their potential.
Our goal is to empower these youths to reach their full potential through three key areas.
- Achieve Enabling youths to excel in their tasks, be it academics, personal projects, or career goals.
- Connect Fostering meaningful connections with peers, mentors, and the community.
- Thrive Supporting their overall well-being and personal growth to become resilient and well-rounded individuals.
Challenge Journey
Submission Guidelines
- Submissions from any creative persons (students or professionals) who use design as the primary problem-solving tool are accepted.
- Individual, Corporate or Group submissions are welcomed.
- Participants may form a conglomeration or consortium comprising designers/specialists, to facilitate/realise the proposals.
- Ideas must address the challenge statement.
- Ideas must be original and not infringe on any copyrights or trademark.
- Ideas must be presented up to the prototype phase.
- Ideas must be actionable and centred on tangible results.
- Ideas must fall within the funding scope, and therefore be implementable in 6 to 12 months.
Evaluation Criteria
- Objective of the project Empathy assesses whether the team has identified a genuine need through a deep understanding of people, communities and context. Potential assesses the significance of the value the project could create for users, communities, organisations or society, based on a clear articulation of the gap(s) to be addressed and the outcome(s) to be achieved.
- Working together with partners Assesses whether the team has identified the right partners, stakeholders and collaborators, and whether these partnerships involve elements of co-designing and/or co-delivering that strengthen the project’s ability to be realised.
- Reaching more communities or groups Potential evaluates the breadth and significance of the project’s intended impact, including the extent to which it reaches and involves new and/or multiple stakeholder groups. Viability evaluates whether the solution can realistically sustain, adapt and scale to reach more people over time.
- Your experience Assesses whether the team has the relevant experience, capabilities and expertise to successfully realise the proposed solution.
- Your Plan Assesses whether the team has the relevant experience, capabilities and expertise to successfully realise the proposed solution.
Seed Money
Promising projects will be selected for funding, project development and rapid prototyping.
Successful applicants will be supported from a cash pool of up to S$80,000 to develop the concept.
For any enquiries, please contact us at:
info@singaporedesignawards.com
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