2018 International Design Excellence Awards

Description

The latest news on the International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) finds one of the world's most prestigious and rigorous design competitions is getting a new look. For 37 years, IDEA has been conducted by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). Now, with the help of fuseproject (link is external)—the design studio founded by longtime IDSA member Yves Béhar—the awards program is undergoing changes including the redesign of its trophies. “For anyone who is a maker, who is building something, it’s the ultimate achievement to get an IDEA,” says Béhar. “IDEA is the award by designers, for designers. Fuseproject worked with IDSA specifically to rebrand IDEA and redesign the trophy to reflect the evolving industry it celebrates."

IDEA 2018 opens for entry on Jan. 2, 2018. Top IDEA 2017 winners are featured in IDSA's INNOVATION magazine's Yearbook of Design Excellence; IDSA.org; and global media outreach. #IDSAIDEA 2017 Gold, Silver and Bronze winners are revealed in the IDEA Gallery. Read more about the IDEA 2017 Ceremony, held at the Rich Theatre—and the Gala, held at the High Museum of Art—on Aug. 19 in Atlanta. See the latest IDSA and IDEA media coverage.

IDEA 2017 Categories

• Automotive & Transportation: Automotive & Locomotive Exterior and Interior/Marine & Aircraft Exterior and Interior/Motorcycles/ Recreational Vehicles/Bicycles/Concepts & Prototypes
• NEW! Branding: Identities / Collateral / Additional Logo Applications
• Children’s Products: Children’s Toys & Games / Learning Tools / Children’s Accessories / Children’s Apparel / Concepts & Prototypes
• Commercial & Industrial Products: Building Equipment & Systems / Heavy Machinery / Construction & Industrial Vehicles / Other Equipment or Tools / Concepts & Prototypes
• NEW! Consumer Technology: Phones and VOIP / Cell Phones, Smart Phones, PDAs / Navigation Devices / Earpieces & Headsets / Accessories / Desktops / Laptops, Notebooks, Ultra-Mobiles / Tablets / Servers & Housings / Portable Devices / Display Screens, Monitors & Projectors / Input Devices / Peripherals / Concepts & Prototypes
• Design Strategy: Design Strategy & Management / Design Thinking / Design Research Projects
• Digital Interaction: User Interface / Web & Applications / Concepts & Prototypes
• Entertainment: Stereos, Speakers / TVs, DVD players / Headphones / Cameras & Camcorders / Personal Audio Players / Accessories & Cable Management / Home Theater / Musical Instruments / Multimedia & Gaming Equipment / Multi-Function Devices / Mobile Entertainment / Concepts & Prototypes
• Environments: Corporate, Public & Private Spaces / Environmental Graphics & Signage Systems / Museum Exhibits & Set Designs / Showrooms & Retail Merchandising / Trade Show Exhibits / Street Lighting and Furniture / Concepts & Prototypes
• Home & Bath: Furniture / Accessories / Flooring / Carpets / Décor / Bedding / Lighting / Windows / Materials / ​Bathroom & Sanitary Furnishings / Accessories / Wellness Rooms and Equipment / Control Elements and Systems / Concepts & Prototypes
• Kitchen & Accessories: Kitchen Furniture/ Appliances / Lighting / Tableware / Utensils / Cookware / Cutlery / Accessories / Concepts & Prototypes
• Medical & Health: Clinical & Diagnostic Products / Industrial & Scientific Products / Surgical & Therapeutic Products / Home-Care & Self-Care Products / Concepts & Prototypes
• Office & Accessories: Supplies & Organizers / Equipment & Fixtures / Writing Instruments / Office Furniture & Lighting / Concepts & Prototypes
• Outdoor & Gardens: Camping / Hiking / Climbing / Scuba Diving / Gear / Helmets / Backpacks / Hydration Products / Outdoor Cooking / Pet Accessories / Garden & Outdoor Furniture / Garden Equipment & Tools/ Garden Lamps & Lighting / Décor / Accessories / Concepts & Prototypes
• Packaging: Packaging Graphics / Packaging Structures / Concepts & Prototypes
• Personal Accessories: Apparel / Bags & Cases / Eyeglasses / Footwear / Hats / Watches / Concepts & Prototypes
• Service Design: Revenue Generating Services / Non-Profit Services / Government Services / Concepts and Prototypes
• Social Impact Design: Products: Design for the Majority / Humanitarian and NGO / Public Spaces / Government / Concepts and Prototypes
• Sports, Leisure & Recreation: Toys & Games / Sporting, Fitness & Camping Gear / Sporting & Fitness Accessories / Concepts & Prototypes
• Student Designs: Undergraduate Student Projects / Graduate Student Projects

Judging Criteria

IDEA judging is based on the following criteria for design excellence. A winning design meets most of these criteria in a positive manner, category dependent.

• Design Innovation - How is this design unique or innovative compared to other designs in this category?
• User Experience - How does this design deliver a simple, intuitive or delightful user experience?
• Benefit to the Client - How does this design improve the client or manufacturer's profitability, brand reputation, employee morale, etc.?
• Benefit to Society - How does this design benefit the greater good; consider society, the environment, culture, the economy, etc.?
• Appropriate Aesthetics - The judges will use the provided visual materials (photos and optional video) to assess this category dependent criteria.