WORDS Cheri Morris IMAGES The Guild Group
For the first time ever, The Design Foundation Awards has opened submissions to the design industry and the public.
Launched in 2012, The Design Foundation Awards award the local industry’s leading achievers and rising stars in the fields of design, manufacturing, commercial success and innovation. Not only do the awards shine light on the epic capabilities of designers and design businesses, but they also facilitate a higher level of respect from those outside of the industry. The awards place an increased value on the commercial viability, social impact and strategic relevance that effective design has on socio-economic improvement and the global identity at large.
Traditionally, the nominations came from previous winners, the Foundation’s board and an independent panel of experts comprised of magazine editors, university professors, industry professionals and curators. Granting public access to the submissions process ensures a wider reach.
If you think you’ve got what it takes to be in the spotlight this year or know of a designer that deserves to win one of the Foundation’s seven prestigious awards, then you have up until Monday 19 February 2019 to submit your work online. The categories are:
- Furniture and lighting
- Decorative objects, including ceramics and glass
- Industrial and product design
- Surface design
- Textiles
- Craft
- Jewellery and accessories
For instructions and award criteria, visit the Design Foundation’s website. You can also learn more about the seven Design Foundation Awards here.
The 2018/2019 Design Foundation Award winners will be announced on 9 March 2019 at GUILD in the Silo District. Sponsors of this year’s awards include VISI, BMW, Krone, M&C Saatchi Abel and 100% Design South Africa.
