Design Week Awards 2020 opens for entries

Entries are open for the Design Week Awards 2020, which builds on the new format introduced last year and awards design excellence across even more categories.

This year we’re looking to drive change further with an overhauled digital section.

New for 2020

After speaking to readers and former judges we found that some of our awards like Website Design didn’t fully capture the holistic nature of modern digital projects, which have a number of touchpoints – including website design.

To this end we’re introducing a new Interaction Design award, which celebrates the beauty and craft of front end experiences. Winners will demonstrate – across any digital channel – design work that engages with end users in a meaningful way and provides a valuable user experience.

The new AI award is looking for demonstrative use of artificial intelligence or machine learning to bring a digital solution to life. If AI has been integrated into your project to deliver improved experiences for a user group or customer, this is your chance to have it recognised.

Best Use of Data is also new. How have you designed with data? The output might be a program, app, data visualisation, a website or other digital interactive. You will need to demonstrate how you have used data to support a digital or social strategy or execution.

Take a look at the digital section now where you can find more new categories alongside the likes of TV, film and video graphics and Digital Installations which remain as relevant today as ever.

Elsewhere we’re excited to be introducing a Service Design category and are looking for evidence of a body of work which delivers a digital service or product for a client, enabling it to connect better with its audience, communicate more clearly and change behaviour.

All of our digital entries will be judged in a specialist space provided by our partner Engage Works, which runs Flux Lounge, a venue with the right screens, tech and hardware to look at any digital project in its best light.

More chances to win

Last year we shook up the communication section by making a distinction in the identity category between an identity launch and an identity rebrand, splitting them into two separate awards and giving you more chances to win.

Meanwhile it was important to recognise the merits of 2D and 3D packaging so these have been given their own separate category.

Similarly Hospitality and Workplace Interiors are now two separate categories and we also introduced illustration for Branding and Best In-House Design Team.

Don’t forget we’ll be pouring over the best in Industrial Product Design and Consumer Product Design and there are many more categories, so take a look at the full list here.

Within the Landmark Award section we have our Hall of Fame – a lifetime achievement award – which will see two new design industry icons inducted, plus our Rising Star award, which recognises talented up and coming designers and is free to enter.

Here you’ll also find Best In-House Design Team, Social Design and new for this year Service Design.

An Accessible Ceremony Better Showcasing Work

Having again listened to judges and readers, last year we brought a number of changes to the awards event.

The new format means that work can be seen for the duration of the awards rather than a few seconds during the presentation. Although trophies and presentations are still very much part of the evening there is now more time for meeting, mingling, networking and having a good time.

The sit down meal which used to be a staple of the Design Week Awards has been replaced by a more informal drinks and canapé party meaning it’s easier for you to share the experience with your colleagues and clients.

Now we make every effort to amplify your winning work beyond the event by publishing profiles on the designers behind it. Check out these long-read profiles on our Rising Star winner Rowena Edwards and our Social Design winner Space10 Plus all of our winners are included in the book of the night and we publish a full showcase of winners on Design Week.

We’ll also be looking to extend the reach of your work through our sister titles Creative Review and Marketing Week.

Judges

We’ll be announcing our panel of independent judges in due course. This year there’ll be more judges than ever, made-up of some of the biggest names in the industry from design consultancies and in-house teams.

Entry dates

We’re being upfront with our entry dates this year rather than giving any arbitrary extensions. All submissions must be made by 5pm on 6 March to qualify for the standard entry price. Entries will not be considered fully submitted until the entrant proceeds to the payment stage and processes payment.

Entries made after 6 March 2020 will be charged a late entry fee of £10 per entry. The final entry deadline is 20 March 2020 and it will not be possible to amend or submit entries after this date.

The awards ceremony will be in June. Full details to come.

Full details of how to enter can be found here.