Categories & Criteria

GOOD DESIGN: Describe how the project meets the criteria for good design in a communication design sense including:

• Visual design – Does the design evoke the desired emotional response and create a connection with the intended audience/user?
• Functionality – Does the visual design clearly communicate its proposition and is the information architecture effective and intuitive? Does the design represent good execution of layouts, typography and accessibility?
• Usability – Does the design enhance the communication objective or advance the user experience? Does the design take into account a diverse audience and ensure accessibility and inclusivity?
• Commerciality – Is the design solution appropriate and appealing for the intended market? Does it correspond with the desired price point or aspiration point? Is the design likely to build or increase the brand’s overall value, credibility or desirability?

DESIGN INNOVATION: Describe how the project sets a new benchmark for innovation in communication or brand design. The Jury wants to understand if the project incorporates any leading-edge communication or brand design innovations, if it advances the profession and pushes the boundaries of new and innovative thinking in communication design practice.

• Innovation – Does the design solution break category rules or norms? Does it create new category rules, use new category cues, new communication or branding techniques, or push the boundaries of how brands in the category can show up?
• Originality – In a holistic sense, is the design solution truly clever, unique and original and is it imaginative and innovative?
• Category Insight – Was there a clear, unmet or unrecognised need in the category that guided and inspired a fresh design approach for the category?
• Human Insight – Did the design solution engage the audience or users in a new way, engaging them emotionally or intellectually with an unmet or new need?

DESIGN IMPACT: Describe the overall impact of the project and what long-lasting and positive impact will be achieved for the client, the end-users, and the environment. More specifically, the Jury wants to understand what measurable outcomes have been achieved and if the design of the project has the potential to positively impact in one or more of the following: category, industry, or societal / environmental.

• Category Impact – Does the design challenge other brands in the category to re-evaluate and improve themselves? Has the design solution improved the category for the audience/user? Does the design strengthen the brand, increase engagement and drive business growth through measurable success? 
• Industry Impact – Does the design have the potential to inspire the industry and pave the way for future trends? Will the design have lasting influence, and remain relevant over time and does it have the potential to become an example of best practice in the industry?
• Societal / Environmental Impact – Does the design solution have a positive impact on society? Does it promote inclusivity, raise awareness, and/or challenge societal norms, to foster meaningful conversations and positive change. Does it consider environmental impact through use of responsible materials, digital-first approaches, and ethical sourcing and encourage sustainable consumer behaviour?

GOOD DESIGN: Describe how the project meets the criteria for good design including:

• Form – Is the concept visually compelling and well-articulated? Does it respond to its context, culture, and environment in a meaningful way?
• Function – Does the design effectively address its intended purpose? Is it intuitive, user-friendly, and does it enhance the overall experience for potential users? 
• Feasibility and Safety – Has the concept been developed with considerations for real-world application, safety, and practicality? Does it foresee any potential risks and offer solutions for mitigating them?
• Quality of Thought – Is the design thinking behind the concept well-researched, structured, and convincingly presented? Does the design demonstrate a high level of rigour and attention to detail?
• Potential for Development – Does the concept have a viable path to development, commercialisation, or real-world application? Does it present a strong business case, investment opportunity, or a new paradigm in design?

DESIGN INNOVATION: Describe how the project sets a new benchmark for innovation in its intended market.

• Vision – Does the concept challenge existing norms or present a novel solution to an existing or future problem? Does it showcase an alternative way of thinking or disruptive potential in the marketplace?
• Materials and Technologies – Does the project explore new systems, materials, or technologies in an inventive and imaginative way?
• Pushing the Boundaries – Is the concept a significant leap forward in the field? Does it set new benchmarks in creativity, user experience, or industry practice?
• Scalability and Adaptability – Can the concept be further refined, expanded, or adapted across multiple industries, sectors, or applications?

DESIGN IMPACT: Describe the project’s potential for meaningful and lasting impact.

• Potential to Inspire Change – Does the concept have the potential to influence industries, inspire designers, or shift cultural attitudes towards a particular issue?
• Social and Environmental Impact – Does the project contribute positively to society, sustainability, culture and(or) our environmental well-being? Could it lead to a more equitable, inclusive, or sustainable future? Will it enhance quality of life in a meaningful way?
• Market and Industry Disruption – If realised, how could the concept reshape existing markets, improve industry standards, or generate new business opportunities?
• Legacy – Could this concept, if developed, become a benchmark for future design? Does it set an aspirational standard for the next generation of designers?

ALIGNMENT TO SDGs: As part of your entry you will be asked to indicate which of the following SDGs your project is aimed at solving. (Select any that apply).

• No poverty 
• Zero hunger 
• Good health and well-being 
• Quality education
• Gender equality
• Clean water and sanitation 
• Affordable and clean energy 
• Decent work and economic growth
• Industry, innovation and infrastructure 
• Reduced inequalities 
• Sustainable cities and communities 
• Responsible consumption and production 
• Climate action 
• Life below water 
• Life on land 
• Peace, justice and strong institutions 
• Partnerships for the goals

GOOD DESIGN: Describe how the research project meets the criteria for good design including:

• Purpose – are the aims, scope and objectives of the investigation clearly stated, and do the research questions address a specific gap in this area of research? Have the appropriate research methods been clearly explained and demonstrated?
• Execution – has the research rigour been well implemented and do the outcomes of the research respond to the original aims and objectives? Have appropriate data collection methods, analysis and results been demonstrated? Does the research promote best practice in the areas of diversity, integrity, and ethics by considering aspects including equity, privacy, cultural differences, gender, ethnicity and geography?

DESIGN INNOVATION: Describe how the research project sets a new benchmark for innovation in design research practice.

The Jury wants to understand if the research methods applied are innovative and if the outcomes have resulted in new and novel findings. More specifically, the Jury wants to see if the research demonstrates evidence of tangible innovative outcomes?

What insights were gained through the research and how did these insights shape the design / outcome of the research?

DESIGN IMPACT: Describe the overall impact of the project and what long-lasting and positive impact will be achieved from this research. Does the research provide significant intellectual impact including publications? Does the research provide evidence of commercial impact (e.g., a spin-off company or licensing)?

Will the research demonstrate value for its users, and will the outcome of the research provide worthwhile, positive, commercial, societal and/or environmental impacts? Will the research demonstrate value for humanity?

Finally, the Jury wants to understand if the project has the potential to be an exemplar for design research. Can it inspire positive change and drive greater demand for design research and will it help contribute to a better, safer and more prosperous future?

GOOD DESIGN: Describe how the project meets the criteria for good design from a design strategy point of view including:

• Clarity of Purpose – does the strategy demonstrate a strong contextual understanding of the business landscape and sector in which it operates? Is there evidence that those in the business understand the core purpose of the strategy, and that they are aligned to the vision of the organisation’s desired future? Are there clear, measurable outcomes outlined by the strategy?
• Design Process – is it evident that the strategy is design-led? Has the design-team taken adequate time to understand the context of the problem they are trying to solve? Has the design journey included co-design practices elevating the voice of people with lived experience as well as prototyping, or other testing? 
• Culture and Leadership – is it evident the strategy  is supported from the CEO down? Does the strategy help to cultivate a culture of design-led leadership?
• Customer and Market Immersion – is it evident the strategy is based on a thorough understanding of the needs and motivations of the business’s customers and/or end users, and have the designers included all relevant stakeholders? Have the customer/market immersion activities resulted in a clear value proposition for the business?
• Business Model Design – is there clear alignment between the strategy and the organisation’s products and services, its business model and the overall commercial goals? Have all elements of the strategy been resolved and balanced to meet the business’s overall purpose and strategy?

DESIGN INNOVATION: Describe how the submission sets a new benchmark for innovation in design strategy practice.

• Disruption – has the strategy been designed to continually respond to the changing needs and priorities of the business and adjust its strategy and purpose accordingly? Has the strategy helped the business challenge the status quo and explore new opportunities through a process of reflection and reframing?
• Business Model Innovation – does the strategy demonstrate an innovative model that looks beyond the current market and helps the business imagine new values, opportunities, and new directions? For established businesses, is there evidence of systematic transition to a disruptive strategy? For start-ups, is there evidence of a transition from incubation to scale-up execution?

DESIGN IMPACT: Describe the overall impact of the design strategy, including the impact it will have on the business ecosystem (behavioural, environmental, political or financial), and what long-lasting and positive impact will be achieved for the business, its customers and stakeholders.

More specifically, the Jury wants to understand if the strategy is truly design-led in every sense of the word. Outline how the strategy has the potential to make a positive impact on business performance and how the investment in design as a strategic tool will result in an increase in market share, sales and/or customer loyalty.

Finally, the Jury wants to understand if the strategy has the potential to be an exemplar project. Does it have the potential to inspire positive change or drive greater demand for professional design at a strategic level and will it help contribute to a better, safer and more prosperous future?

GOOD DESIGN: Describe how the project meets the criteria for good design in a digital design sense including:

• Visual Design – is the design visually coherent and resolved, and does it evoke an emotional connection with the intended user? Does the visual design convey the function and use of the project unambiguously and intuitively?
• Usability – does the design perform the intended functions with maximum accessibility, efficacy and minimal effort, to advance the user experience?
• Content and Quality – has the design been professionally executed and finished? Is the content appropriate, ethically sourced and informed and professionally written for the intended context and is the information architecture organised in an intuitive and easy-to-digest manner?
• Commerciality – does the project correspond with the desired price point? Is the design likely to increase the brand value and/or community standing of the client organisation and is it likely to result in a positive economic and/or social return on the investment made in design?

DESIGN INNOVATION: Describe how the project sets a new benchmark for innovation in digital design practice.

The Jury wants to understand if the project incorporates any specific leading-edge digital design innovations and if it advances the profession and pushes the boundaries of new and innovative thinking in digital design practice.

Is the project truly clever, unique and original and is it imaginative and innovative? Does it solve a genuine problem in a new way, or offer a new value proposition with potential world-first features? Does the project use new digital design techniques and processes and/or technology in a clever, imaginative and original manner?

DESIGN IMPACT: Describe any shorter-term positive results the project has achieved, and what longer-lasting positive impact will be achieved for the client or organisation, the end-users and the environment.

More specifically, the Jury wants to understand what measurable outcomes have been achieved and if the design of the project has the potential to improve the quality of life for people and our planet.

If applicable, outline how the project has the potential to make a positive impact on business performance and how the investment in professional design will result in an increase in market share, sales and/or customer loyalty.

Finally, the Jury wants to understand if the project has the potential to be an exemplar for good digital design. Can it inspire positive change and drive greater demand for professional design and will it help contribute to a better, safer and more prosperous future?

Supporting Materials:

• Access to any logins, passwords, apps or software required to test and fully assess the entry.

GOOD DESIGN: Describe how the project meets the criteria for good design in an engineering design sense including:

• Form – is the design visually resolved and does it respond to its environment from a visual, contextual and cultural perspective?
• Function – does the design perform the function it was designed for, is it easy to use and does it advance the overall user experience?
• Safety – has the project been designed with appropriate safety considerations and does it comply with all applicable safety standards and regulations? Does the design safeguard against unintentional use?
• Quality – has the project been well constructed with appropriate materials and construction techniques and does the quality of the project correspond with the designed price point and/or investment?
• Commerciality – does the project represent good value for money at the intended price point and/or investment, is the design likely to increase the brand value and/or community standing of the client organisation and is it likely to result in a positive economic and/or social return on the investment made on design?

DESIGN INNOVATION: Describe how the project sets a new benchmark for innovation in engineering design practice.

The Jury wants to understand if the project incorporates any leading-edge engineering design innovations, if it advances the profession and pushes the boundaries of new and innovative thinking in engineering design practice.

Is the project truly unique, imaginative and innovative and does it offer a new and ground-breaking value proposition with potential world-first features? Does the project use new systems, building materials, construction techniques and processes and/or technology in a clever, imaginative and original manner?

DESIGN IMPACT: Describe the overall impact of the project and what long-lasting and positive impact will be achieved for the client, the end-users and the environment.

More specifically, the Jury wants to understand what measurable outcomes have been achieved and if the project has the potential to improve the quality of life for people and our planet.

If applicable, outline how the project has the potential to make a positive impact on business performance and how the investment in professional design will result in an increase in market share, sales and/or customer loyalty.

Finally, the Jury wants to understand if the project has the potential to be an exemplar for good design in engineering. Can it inspire positive change and drive greater demand for professional design and will it help contribute to a better, safer and more prosperous future?

GOOD DESIGN: Describe how the project meets the criteria for good design in the fashion sector including:

• Purpose – does the project have a clearly defined purpose that differentiates it from other peers in their field?
• Problem and Solution Focus – can the applicant clearly articulate the problem being addressed and how the solution addresses this problem through an innovative business model and solution?
• Design Aesthetic – is the overall design aesthetic appealing and desirable for the intended market?
• Industry Engagement – has the applicant engaged with the fashion industry at large to promote the initiative through stakeholder engagement, industry collaborations, commercial contracts, PR and marketing?

DESIGN INNOVATION: Describe how the project sets a new benchmark for innovation in the fashion sector.

The Jury wants to understand if the project incorporates any leading-edge innovations across its supply chain, innovative use of materials, production techniques or shifts to a circular economy.

Is the project advancing the sector and pushing the boundaries of new and innovative thinking? Is the project truly unique, imaginative and innovative and does it offer a new and ground-breaking value proposition with potential world-first features?

DESIGN IMPACT: Describe the overall impact of the project and what long-lasting and positive impact will be achieved for the client, the end-users and the environment.

Can the applicant define and/or measure the impact of their business on the fashion sector through verified third party metrics such as reduction in waste, improved efficiencies in supply chain processes, reach of initiative etc.? Are these metrics publicly available?

More specifically, the Jury wants to understand what measurable outcomes have been achieved and if the project has the potential to reduce the impact of the fashion industry on the planet. 

If applicable, outline how the project has the potential to make a positive impact on business performance and how the investment in professional design will result in an increase in market share, sales and/or customer loyalty.

Finally, the Jury wants to understand if the project has the potential to be an exemplar for good design in the fashion sector. Can it inspire positive change and drive greater demand for professional design and will it help contribute to a better, safer and more prosperous future?

PURPOSE

• Does the design address a real-world need?
• Does it attempt to solve a legitimate problem that will have a positive impact on society, the environment and the economy?

EXECUTION

• Does the design use an appropriate use of technology and is it feasible?
• Has the design considered circular design and sustainability principles that promote social, environmental and ecological sustainability such as lifecycle, materials and production processes?
• Is the design new and original and does it have any world-first features?

OUTCOME

• To what extent does the design solve the problem and respond to the brief?
• Does the design project represent design excellence?
• If implemented, will the design have a positive impact on society, environment and/or the economy?

GOOD DESIGN: Describe how the policy meets the criteria for good design including:

Process

• Is it evident that a clear and holistic systems design process has been followed to deliver the policy’s intended outcomes? It is clear that there is a deep understanding of the context and impacts (both intended and unintended) of the policy implementation?
• Was there meaningful engagement, ensuring the right stakeholders and decision makers were included from the initial stages? Does the policy design draw on multiple perspectives (multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral) and has it been co-designed with the beneficiaries to create a solution that places their needs at the centre?
• Has the design journey included prototyping, or piloting or other testing to determine the real-life implications and identify any unintended consequences? 

Implementation

• Has the design been well executed and implemented and is there a sense of integration and efficiency in the design of the policy? 
• Are all the elements, touch points and/or physical objects of the policy connected and systemised in an intelligent and logical way? 
• Are all stakeholders / service providers engaged to deliver, own, evaluate and improve the experience and is there a good governance framework in place to ensure effective implementation?  

Scalability 

• Does the design of the policy consider multiple time horizons (short, medium and long-term) and does it identify and mitigate any unintended consequences?
• Have any policy areas and/or community attitudes been identified that need to be addressed to improve the opportunities for scaling or replicating and if so, what is being done to influence or address these?
• Is the policy compellingly communicated so that it can be understood by its key stakeholders and end-users?

DESIGN INNOVATION: Describe how the policy sets a new benchmark for innovation in policy design practice?

• Is the design of the policy unique, imaginative and innovative and does it offer a new value proposition?
• Is the design of the policy based on a truly creative and holistic approach resulting in a new way of thinking and does it use new systems and/or approaches in a clever, imaginative and original manner? 
• Has the policy been designed in a resilient way to be adaptable to potential future refinement and does it build in capacity for continuous reflection and improvement?
• What were the significant challenges that were encountered in the design of the policy and how were these overcome? What inputs or conditions were essential for success?

DESIGN IMPACT: Describe the overall impact of the policy (social, economical and environmental) and what long-lasting and positive impact will be achieved for the end-users / citizens? 

• Was the intended impact of the policy clear and has this been achieved and measured/reported in an outcomes-focused and evidence-based manner (in both qualitative and quantitative terms)?
• Does the policy have the potential to be an exemplar for policy design and will showcasing it help to drive greater demand for good design practice in developing and implementing good policy?
• Is the policy grounded in a deep understanding of the root causes and system structure / behaviour to effectively deliver positive impact?
• What is the scale of the impact? Does the policy have the potential to scale or be replicated for greater impact and what is the likelihood of adoption at scale?
• Does the approach build policy design capability among the wider team?

GOOD DESIGN: Describe how the project meets the criteria for good design in a product design sense including:

• Process – was there a clear vision for the product and is there a clear value proposition or was it primarily a styling exercise? Were there any new insights uncovered during consumer and design research? Has there been a holistic approach to the design project?
• Form – does the form clearly communicate its purpose and function? Are all details well resolved and aesthetically appealing? Does the form add quality to the overall product and does it respond to its environment from a visual, contextual and cultural perspective?
• Function – does the design perform the function it was designed for, is it easy to use and does it advance the overall user experience? Does the design demonstrate a thorough understanding of the context of use? Does the design consider all target demographics?
• Safety – has the project been designed with appropriate safety considerations and does it comply with all applicable safety standards and regulations? Does the design safeguard against unintentional use?
• Quality –  has the project been well constructed with appropriate materials and construction techniques and does the quality of the project correspond with the designed price point and/or investment?
• Commerciality – does the project represent good value for money at the intended price point and/or investment, is the design likely to increase the brand value and/or community standing of the client organisation and is it likely to result in a positive economic and/or social return on the investment made on design?
• Responsibility – is the design socially, environmentally and ethically responsible? Does the design avoid harm to people and ecosystems? Examples might include minimising waste, use of recycled/recyclable materials, design for longevity and repairability? Is the design inclusive within its intended context?  
• Serviceability and Reparability – has the project been designed to be easily maintained, reduce environmental waste, be durable and extend the lifespan of the product? Does the design allow users to easily replace key components such as batteries, without requiring specialised tools or costly repairs?

DESIGN INNOVATION: Describe how the project sets a new benchmark for innovation in product and industrial design practice.

Does the project elevate global industry standards and does it advance the field by challenging conventional practices and pushing the boundaries of new and innovative thinking in product design practice? 

Does the project represent a gradual evolution or a significant breakthrough? Does it enhance and refine an existing product, or does it establish a fundamentally new offering?

Is the design truly original, imaginative, and innovative and does it present a value proposition? Does it employ any world-first features, new systems, materials, technologies, or manufacturing techniques?

DESIGN IMPACT: Describe the overall impact of the project and what long-lasting and positive impact will be achieved for the client, the end-users and the environment.

Have any measurable outcomes been achieved and does the project have the potential to improve the quality of life for people and our planet? 

Does the design improve the physical, mental or emotional well-being of its intended market?

Does the project actively reduce its carbon footprint and avoid toxic materials? Does it encourage more sustainable user behaviours, redefine industry standards through a more ethical and environmentally responsible production model or influence consumer expectations for better sustainability and ethics?

Does the project have the potential to make a positive impact on business performance and will the investment in professional design result in an increase in market share, sales and/or customer loyalty?

Does the project have the potential to be an exemplar for good product and industrial design? Can it inspire positive change and drive greater demand for professional design and will it help contribute to a better, safer and more prosperous future?

GOOD DESIGN: Describe how the project meets the criteria for good design in a service design sense including:

• Design Process – has the end-to-end user journey and the problem/opportunity been clearly defined, articulated and documented? Has a suitable design approach been adopted with all elements of the service considered as part of an integrated system? Has an appropriate prototyping process been adopted early in the service development process to highlight any potential failures and to ensure the service was fit for purpose?
• Execution – has the design concept been well executed and implemented and is there a sense of purity, integration, elegance and efficiency in the service? Are staff and/or service providers engaged to deliver, own and improve the experience? Are all the elements, touchpoints and/or physical objects of the service that should be connected, connected and systemized in an intelligent and logical way?
• Experience – has each element in the service been considered as an experience that contributes in a positive way to the overall value of the service? Is the experience useful, usable and enjoyable? Does the service perform the function it was designed for in a simple, intuitive way? Does the service advance the user experience? Is it a new, positive user experience?
• Commerciality – does the service have the potential to result in a return on the investment made on design? Will it help reduce costs and improve efficiency for the user and service provider? Does the service create value for both the user and service provider, and does it have the potential to make use of company and customer resources in a respectful and efficient manner while still creating value? Does the service have the potential to increase value from an engagement, customer loyalty and commercial perspective to both end users and service delivery staff?

DESIGN INNOVATION: Describe how the project sets a new benchmark for innovation in service design practice.

Is the service truly unique, imaginative and innovative and does it offer a new and ground-breaking value proposition with potential world-first features?

Is the service based on a truly creative approach resulting in a completely new way of thinking and does it use new systems and/or technology in a clever, imaginative and original manner?

DESIGN IMPACT: Describe the overall impact of the project and what long-lasting and positive impact will be achieved for the client, the end-users and the environment.

The Jury wants to understand if the service does more with less and does it have the potential to reduce consumption and increase use? Does the service have ways of evolving according to the variability of human experience and can it adapt to meet unpredictable needs and situations? Has the service been designed with longevity in mind and the ability to be iterative, scalable and adaptable over time?

More specifically, the Jury wants to understand if the service has the potential to make a positive difference with the target audience? Will the service make life easier for users and staff working within the system? Does the service have the potential to make a positive impact on society?

Outline how the service has the potential to make a positive impact on business performance and how the investment in professional design will result in an increase in market share, sales and/or customer loyalty.

Finally, the Jury wants to understand if the project has the potential to be an exemplar for good service design. Can it inspire positive change and drive greater demand for professional design and will it help contribute to a better, safer and more prosperous future?

GOOD DESIGN: Describe how the project meets the criteria for good design in a social impact design sense including:

• Design Process – have human-centred design principles been followed? Has there been appropriate consultation and or co-design with the beneficiaries and those closest to the challenge / those with lived experience throughout the project? Has the design journey included prototyping and testing to determine the real-life implications and identify any unintended consequences? Is it evident that a clear design process has been followed to deliver the project/program?
• Execution – has the design concept been well executed and implemented and is there a sense of purity, integration, elegance and efficiency in the project? Are those involved in the project engaged to deliver, own and improve the experience? Are all the elements, touch points and/or physical objects of the service that should be connected, connected and systemized in an intelligent and logical way?
• Commercial Sustainability and Scale / Replication Potential – is the project underpinned by a viable business model? Is the model easily replicable or scalable  in other settings (i.e. geographies, demographics, cultural contexts etc)? Have any policy areas and/or community attitudes been identified that need to be addressed to improve the opportunities for scaling or replicating and if so, what is being done to influence or address these?

DESIGN INNOVATION: Describe how the project sets a new benchmark for innovation in social impact design practice.

How does the project set a new benchmark for innovation in social impact design? Is it truly unique, imaginative, and groundbreaking, offering a world-first value proposition? 

Does it introduce a completely new way of thinking, leveraging systems or technology in an original and inventive way?

DESIGN IMPACT: Describe how the project has driven societal change and improved people’s lives. What is the overall impact of the project and what long-lasting and positive impact will be achieved for the client, the users and the environment?

The Jury wants to understand if the intended social impact is clear and if the impact is measured and reported? If so, how is this information recorded and who has it been / will it be shared with? Does the project have a proven track record of, or the potential to contribute to positive social change?

Finally, the Jury wants to understand if the project has the potential to be an exemplar for social impact design. Can it inspire positive change and will it help contribute to a better, safer and more prosperous future?