The Design Exchange Awards promote Canadian design excellence and recognizes the critical role of design in all types of organizations including commercial entities (large and small businesses), not-for-profit organizations, and the public sector.
The Awards celebrate the success stories achieved through close partnerships between clients and designers. The DXAs are Canada’s only award program to judge design by results, balancing function, aesthetics, and economic success.
Objective
Submit entries in the following official categories:
- Architecture – Commercial
Public and corporate structures - Architecture – Residential
Private residences - Engineering
Building Technology, Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer (including software), Environmental, Mechanical, Product, Structural, Transportation, New Materials - Apparel/Fashion Design
Textiles, Footwear, Jewelry and Accessories, Uniforms, Outerwear, Safety Gear, etc. - Industrial Design
Industrial products produced for industry and/or consumer products available to the public - Interior Design – Commercial
Retail, public and corporate interiors - Interior Design – Residential
Private interiors - Interior Design – Temporary or Portable
Set, Theatre, Exhibit, Showrooms and model suites - Landscape Architecture
Commercial, residential and public landscapes - Urban Design
Streetscapes, Infrastructure projects, Master plans, Interventions - Visual Communications: Brand and Identity
Marketing, Way-finding, Package, Corporate identity, etc. - Visual Communications: Content Development and Editorial
Brochures, Newspapers, Publishing, Interactive media, Websites, etc. - Special Award (by Nomination)
Canadian Company or Ceo With The Best Design Strategy
The CEO with the Best Design Strategy will be the leader of an organization that uses design and innovation as a major component of its business strategy.
You may want to address some or all of the following in your project description.
- Function
Performance of the design solution in relation to stated objectives and user needs. - Profitability
Including positive financial returns, strengthening of corporate brand positioning, relationship building, cost reduction, enhancing employee satisfaction and/or improving operational efficiencies. - Aesthetics
Alignment of all elements in the design solution for maximum physical, intellectual and emotional appeal. - Innovation
Ability to apply new thinking, new methods and/or new technologies to address a specific challenge or opportunity. Ability to show added value to the profession. - Accessibility and Sustainability
Design that makes daily life easier, safer, more comfortable and more affordable for everyone regardless of age, size, background or ability; surpasses code compliance to current legislation. Also minimal impact on the environment, reduces resources, minimizes waste, energy resource efficiency, surpasses conformance to current legislation and promotes knowledge & positive behaviours concerning environmental & social responsibilities.
Prizes
A jury of leading business executives, designers and community leaders will select a Gold, Silver, Bronze and two Honourable Mentions in each of the twelve categories.
- Winners are featured in a major exhibition at the Design Exchange. Past DXA exhibits have traveled across Canada and as far afield as Korea, to be shown alongside the best in international design.
- Winners are featured in press releases and in Express, the DX newsletter (reaching a readership of 40,000) and will be featured in a spread in the DX program guide.
- Winners are celebrated by their peers in the Canadian design disciplines at a gala Awards Dinner – an invaluable networking opportunity for established and new designers alike. Winners are awarded a certificate and encouraged to use this prestigious standing in their marketing material.
- Winners can connect with members of the media and have their project noticed at the media launch of the DXA Exhibition.
- Winning entrants may have the opportunity to have their submission considered for accession into the Design Exchange’s Permanent Collection.
Rules
- Designers from all disciplines and/or businesses operating in Canada are eligible to submit entries.
- Project entries may be built or manufactured in other countries – as long as the design team is Canadian.
- Projects must have been completed between August 2008 and August 2010. Products must be in production.
- You may submit as many entries as you wish in the categories outlined. However, you must complete a separate registration form and pay the registration fee for each entry.
- If a project falls into more than one applicable category, you’re encouraged to apply to the category best suited to your submission.
How to enter?
- Ensure that your project fits the eligibility requirements;
- Compile a project summary + visual materials;
- Complete the registration form, including authorization from both designer and client;
- Review checklist, and send in package to Design Exchange by 30 September 2010, including completed registration form with proper payment.
Entry fee
- Registration fee for DX Members: $90
- Registration fee for Non-members: $125
