New Year, New Chance To Shine At The A’ Design Award and Competition

By Mikelle Leow, 07 Feb 2024

The A’ Design Award and Competition is back, opening its doors to the compelling minds of the design world for its 2024 edition. Long regarded as one of the most prestigious yet inclusive design competitions, it celebrates the pinnacle of creativity across a broad spectrum of fields and backgrounds. Whether they are newcomers or seasoned professionals, participants will have an equal shot at receiving acclaim for their creative projects.

As the submission window for the 2024 edition opens, the competition spans over 100 disciplines, including Graphics and Visual Communication Design; Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design; Packaging Design; Architecture, Building and Structure Design; Advertising, Marketing and Communication Design; and Futuristic Design. Wherever they fit, designers, architects, and innovators around the world will have a stage to showcase their best work.

The judging panel comprises a diverse group of experienced jurors, including design professionals, academics, and members of the press, maintaining a comprehensive and fair evaluation process through peer review and anonymous voting. This thorough review ensures that submissions are assessed on their merit alone, reaffirming that they excel not only in aesthetics but also in innovation and their potential to contribute positively to society.

Laureates benefit from international exposure, enhanced networking, and career opportunities, as well as inclusion in the A’ Design Award winners’ exhibition and yearbook. They also receive a prestigious trophy, placement in the World Design Rankings, tickets to an exclusive gala-night event, and extensive PR and publicity efforts aimed at connecting them with potential clients and media, with coverage translated to over 100 languages. This recognition serves as a benchmark of quality and achievement, encouraging designers to explore new ideas and contribute to the evolution of global design culture.

With the deadline for submissions fast coming on February 28, now’s the best time to nominate your project to advance your presence in the creative sphere. As always, DesignTAXI will make the big reveal of winners on April 15.

This next cycle offers another chance for wonderful minds to shine and make their mark on the world of design. To find out more about the competition, head here.

For a creative nudge, take a peek at some inspiring designs from the previous round.

Water Ripples Chair

Inspired by the natural form and movement of water—particularly of condensed ripples flowing up and down—this chair designed by Kuo-Hsiang Kuo also acts as an interactive sculpture, making the user feel as though they were resting on a frozen surface.

Water Ripples Chair by Kuo-Hsiang Kuo

Its fully transparent components mean it plays with light and shadows from its surroundings, creating a lovely touch whether out in nature or indoors.

Water Ripples Chair by Kuo-Hsiang Kuo

Moose Multifunctional Cabinet

The Moose Multifunctional Cabinet, created by Priyam Doshi, is a handcrafted statement piece envisioned to be both fun and functional (“FUNctional,” as coined by the maker). This a-moose-ing cabinet endeavors to add whimsy to mundane lifestyles and objects while exploring the need for multifunctionality in an era of productivity, as well as the efficient use of living spaces.

Moose Multifunctional Cabinet by Priyam Doshi

It includes plug-and-play accessories such as antlers for keys, hats, or scarves, a bowl for accessories, open and closed shelves for display and storage, and mirrors. The moose’s eye acts as a knob for the shutter, revealing beautiful green-stained internals.

Moose Multifunctional Cabinet by Priyam Doshi

Galaxy Trail X Mid-Autumn Festival Food Packaging

Earth to design! This innovative gift box for a planetarium, crafted by Hu Jijun, borrows from the enigmatic triangle and humanity's cosmic aspirations. Conceptualized for the traditional celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which centers around the full moon, it stands out for its unique form factor, featuring a metal outer casing with a slightly elevated top—a detail that, despite increasing production and transportation costs, symbolizes humanity’s desire to “break through the plane and reach for the stars.” Still, the packaging adopts a sustainable approach by using a cardboard structure fixed with interlocking tabs instead of traditional plastic materials like EPE foam, eliminating the need for glue.

Galaxy Trail X Mid-Autumn Festival Food Packaging by Hu Jijun

The Language of Emotion and Time Cake Packaging

Cakes and flowers—two things seen at celebrations and viewed as gestures of love—thoughtfully combine once again for a unique way of expressing feelings while, surprisingly, also indicating the freshness of baked goods. Dreamed up by Jiaxin Lv, this packaging presents itself as a “double blessing,” with emotions conveyed to the recipient through the universal language of blooms. Perhaps even more curious is how flowers serve as a natural timer, suggesting the cake’s freshness over time.

The Language of Emotion and Time Cake Packaging by Jiaxin Lv

Users can “intuitively perceive” when to finish the last crumb just “by observing the fresh state of flowers,” the designer details.

The Language of Emotion and Time Cake Packaging by Jiaxin Lv

Pattern Play Playing Cards Calendar

The Pattern Play Playing Cards Calendar was initiated to inject positivity and hope into people’s daily lives, especially considering the social isolation experienced by many during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project features vivid, bold colors within organic patterns and shapes, chosen to provide a refreshing and special entertainment experience for loved ones, as well as to serve as a colorful and eye-catching decoration to brighten up any space.

Pattern Play Playing Cards Calendar by Topys - Huimeng Li

The Pattern Play series by Huimeng Li and TOPYS includes 54 unique yet versatile illustrations on playing cards, which can also be used as bookmarks or even oracle cards, and 12 artworks enlarged for a calendar, which can double as posters to enhance living or working spaces. Its vibrant visual treatment exemplifies how design can transform ordinary products into extraordinary experiences.

Pattern Play Playing Cards Calendar by Topys - Huimeng Li

Altocumulus Light Lamp

Designer Jun Wang had his head in the clouds with the charming Altocumulus Light Lamp, constructed from glass and steel. The playful lighting fixture looks to the innate beauty of rain clouds, with a hanging light rope reminiscent of a raindrop, to bring a droplet of nature into your home. You’ve heard of mushroom lamps; maybe it’s high time for the cloud lamp.

Altocumulus Light Lamp by Jun Wang

Longfor Origin Sales Center

Not your regular office tower, the Longfor Origin Sales Center challenges the increasing sameness of the real estate market by bringing forth a "de-sales center." Designed by Cindy Jin, it doubles up as a highly customized club space comprising elements of art, technology, business, humanities, entertainment, and more, with the sales function staying hidden.

Longfor Origin Sales Center by Cindy Jin

At its heart is a dynamic spiral chandelier, which dances with music and sparkles with vibrant lights and shadows. The astrolabe design invites observers to embrace their imaginations under a starry sky, enhancing the natural atmosphere of this 1,400-square-meter (about 15,000-square-foot) space.

Longfor Origin Sales Center by Cindy Jin

Shenzhen Zhongshuge Bookstore

The Shenzhen Zhongshuge Bookstore, whose design is helmed by Xiang Li, is a hypnotic space that merges the realms of literature, history, and architecture. The ultimate page-turner here is a massive, spiraling staircase that runs sideways through the space, doubling as both a functional bookshelf and an art installation. The store incorporates a large glass façade that invites passersby to peer into the spectacular interior.

Shenzhen Zhongshuge Bookstore by Xiang Li

Importantly, the layout is an homage to the city’s integral migrants. A twisting trajectory of heritage and stories, it acknowledges those who have toiled to accomplish their dreams.

Shenzhen Zhongshuge Bookstore by Xiang Li

Kukuk Box Mobile Playground

Constructed from shipping containers and natural wood, the Kukuk Box creates a magical—albeit temporary—space that invites children to swing, climb, jump, and balance. It is mobile, pleasing to the eye, and eco-friendly, designed to be transported via a truck and set up easily.

Kukuk Box Mobile Playground by Kukuk Box GmbH

High-quality, natural materials like the hardy yet elastic European-sourced sapwood-free Robinia wood makes playtime sustainable, while tinted plexiglass offers an “intense color experience.” This setup isn’t just cost-effective and a quick assembly solution but also eliminates the need to permanently alter its surroundings through excavation and foundations, making it an attractive option for urban areas.

Kukuk Box Mobile Playground by Kukuk Box GmbH

Union Industrial Corporate Building

This building by Popching Construction Co, reflecting its client’s focus on electronic components, cleverly incorporates metal perforated plates to mimic the imagery of printed circuit boards, integrating this with the corporate logo to create a distinctive metal curtain wall that’s not just ornamental but also brings a functional purpose by providing shading. The structure’s façade may appear pearl white up close, but this changes under different viewing angles and lighting conditions thanks to the metal curtain.

Union Industrial Corporate Building by Popching Construction Co., Ltd

Simple Freestyle Wireless Charger

This sleek device is built to provide multi-device charging capabilities and a high degree of freedom. The Simple Freestyle Wireless Charger by Yong Zhang distinguishes itself with a flexible base made from nylon fabric, which houses a multi-coil matrix to enhance charging efficiency. This setup allows for the simultaneous charging of numerous devices, overcoming the limitations of traditional single-coil wireless chargers.

Simple Freestyle Wireless Charger by Yong Zhang

The inventor focused on understanding user needs and behaviors, resulting in a charger that accommodates users’ unconscious actions during their gadgets’ downtime. This approach delivers a sense of freedom and efficiency, allowing users to place their devices anywhere on the flexible base without feeling restricted.

Simple Freestyle Wireless Charger by Yong Zhang

Disco Oven Pizza Oven

“A love of light reflection (AKA mirror balls) and alfresco dining, an aspiration for creativity, perfectionism, fun and surprise, and a need to make something that's both functional and beautiful and brings people together,” explains Mark Cresswell. This outdoor wood oven is not just a cooking device but also an object of beauty, featuring a 360-degree rotating sphere adorned with over 34,000 hand-fitted mirrors.

Disco Oven Pizza Oven by Mark Cresswell

The funky appliance, with a traditional stone core and a cordierite cooking base, is capable of heating up to 400°C (752°F) within 20 minutes to cook Neapolitan pies in 90 seconds, alongside the ability to cook a variety of other dishes in skillers or slow cook at lower temperatures.

Disco Oven Pizza Oven by Mark Cresswell

Firefly Switch

When not in use, the panel of this alluring Firefly Switch serves up a faint cluster of light spots, akin to fireflies gathering up close. Its creators, Yuze Tao and Tinghuan Du, wanted to design a switch as easy to operate as a smartphone, allowing users to control room lights by interacting with scattered points of illumination on the interface. The product ends up enriching the emotional connection between humans and their smart home systems.

Firefly Switch by Yuze Tao and Tinghuan Du

Aria Augmented-Reality Graffiti Spray Controller

Envisioned to revolutionize graffiti and address negative associations with street art, the Aria AR Spray Controller by Shubhangi Chuhadia adds the layer of mixed reality, allowing artists to produce stunning 2D or 3D graffiti using a tactile and ergonomic device that mimics the experience of spray-painting within a virtual environment. Enthusiasts can then explore these urban landscapes and discover art using their mobile devices.

Aria AR Spray Controller by Shubhangi Chuhadia

All this not only elevates the art form but also offers the community a unique and cutting-edge way to engage with and appreciate graffiti. The tool brings forth an unlimited canvas for personal expression, where legal or ethical constraints are minimized.

Aria AR Spray Controller by Shubhangi Chuhadia

Xijiajia Ai Digital Human

This digital human birthed by tech giant Baidu represents a significant advancement in the realm of virtual idols. Launched in 2022, Xijiajia bears a humanlike appearance, perception, interaction, and self-expression, all of which are powered by artificial intelligence algorithms. The smart avatar can perform intelligent communication and conduct real-time interaction with humans based on a distinct personality, showcasing deep learning capabilities to autonomously create works like painting, composition, and music arrangement.

Xijiajia Ai Digital Human by Baidu Online Network Technology

The character was inspired by the growing importance of AI in our world and aims to serve as an observer of the physical world, fostering a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and AI. Xijiajia is equipped with nine core abilities, including content generation, real-time conversation, singing and dancing, and live-streaming in multiple languages. She learns and iterates independently during communication with users, supposedly performing and generating creative works like a human.

Xijiajia Ai Digital Human by Baidu Online Network Technology

Burning Life Public Welfare Posters

The Burning Life Public Welfare Posters by Yusheng Wang are compelling works crafted to raise awareness about the environmental crisis affecting animals due to global warming. These PSAs underscore the urgent need for protection and the relationship between humans and the natural world, urging onlookers to take action.

Burning Life Public Welfare Poster by Yusheng Wang

Visualizing the critical situation of polar bears, penguins, and other creatures whose living spaces are rapidly diminishing, akin to paper burning away to ashes, the posters were created using self-made ash materials. The imagery is powerful, suggesting that once these animals disappear, humans could be next, and that all existence is interconnected on this planet.

Burning Life Public Welfare Poster by Yusheng Wang

Mew Gic Cat Furniture

Inspired by the simplicity and versatility of building blocks, Mew Gic Cat Furniture by Yu Ren presents an infinite variety of furniture pieces from a single component so fur parents can get creative and build a personalized paradise for their pets. The array uses a DIY, nail-free installation and is constructed from natural bamboo lamella.

Mew Gic Cat Furniture by Yu Ren

Origami Shikki Lacquerware Paper Plate

Crafted by Atsushi Morita, the Origami Shikki Lacquerware Paper Plate borrows from three traditional Japanese elements: origami (the art of paper folding), lacquer (a centuries-old craft), and washi (a traditional Japanese paper). Morita’s design aims to evolve these traditions into a sustainable form that eases into contemporary life. The lacquer finish makes the washi durable against water and oil, suitable for various dishes, and it can be washed and reused, promoting sustainability.

Origami Shikki Lacquerware Paper Plate by Atsushi Morita

Its lightweight and foldable nature make it easy to carry, offering a perfect blend of beauty and utility. Despite the challenges posed by the nature of lacquer, which tends to crack when force is applied after curing, Morita succeeded in folding the lacquer-coated Japanese paper like origami without cracking the coating.

Origami Shikki Lacquerware Paper Plate by Atsushi Morita

Tree Story Condiments Set Containers

This charming forest for holding herbs and spices look to the diversity of tree canopy shapes across the world. Dreamed up by So Jung Lee, it re-enacts peaceful strolls through the woods where the colors, shapes, and scents of falling leaves create something beautiful.

Tree Story Condiments Set Containers by So Jung Lee

Exlicon Multi Shape Compass and Drawing Tool

The Exlicon Multi Shape Compass and Drawing Tool, designed by Lee Pik Shan, redefines the traditional compass by eliminating the need for a sharp point that could damage the paper. It provides a versatile solution for drawing circles, ellipses, pentagrams, hexagons, and geometries with a golden ratio, without leaving any markings on the paper. Designed for both left and right-handed users, Exlicon is lightweight and simplifies the drawing process, making it accessible and efficient for everyone. Its compact size and the ability to fold into smaller pieces enhance its portability.

Exlicon Multi Shape Compass and Drawing Tool by Lee Pik Shan

Instead of the traditional needlepoint of compasses, Exlicon uses a set of reusable nano stickers to fix the tool on the drawing material, leaving no perforations on the paper. The tool, made from aerospace-grade aluminum and stainless steel, is capable of drawing over 50 dimensions of ellipses and circles, and more than 100 different sizes of arcs, thanks to its unique design that includes a base, long/short ruler, and a water drop-shaped ruler. The components are connected with magnets, allowing for easy assembly and adjustment.

Exlicon Multi Shape Compass and Drawing Tool by Lee Pik Shan

Mood Tree Desktop Memo Holder

This memo holder from Sameh Ibrahim Emam isn’t just a place for organizing your notes; it’s also a wholesome tool for expressing daily moods. The Bonsai tree, which symbolizes harmony, peace, and balance in Japanese traditions, serves as the perfect symbol for this design, offering an elegant way to communicate feelings and emotions.

Mood Tree Desktop Memo Holder by Sameh Ibrahim Emam

Each memo paper features two colors: rose at the top, representing happiness, and yellow at the bottom, representing sadness. Users write their notes and hang them on the tree, displaying the color that represents their current mood. The Mood Tree can serve one person or up to seven, making it suitable for both personal and shared spaces. The simple yet effective display allows for a peaceful way to express oneself and encourages understanding and empathy among observers.

Mood Tree Desktop Memo Holder by Sameh Ibrahim Emam

Para Waraji Sandals

The Para Waraji Sandals were created by Maki Izawa in response to various global issues, including energy and food crises, aiming to provide a sense of calm and safety in everyday life. Harnessing traditional Japanese methods, they take inspiration from ancient Waraji sandals that were made of straw and worn by samurai and commoners for protection and to ward off evil spirits. The concept is modernized using parachute cord (paracord) for weaving, combining the protective and amulet qualities of traditional Waraji with the strength and durability of modern materials.

Para Waraji Sandals by Maki Izawa

The sandals are designed to wrap securely around the sole of the foot, with small loops on the sides and long loops on the heel for a snug fit. This design ensures ease of walking and versatility in tying, allowing wearers to adjust the sandals to suit their mood or style. The footwear is made using 4mm paracord, known for its strength, durability, flexibility, and abrasion resistance. The paracord’s kernmantle construction, with a strong inner core and a woven outer sheath, is available in a wide range of colors and patterns.