THE HONG KONG DESIGN CENTRE ANNOUNCES ASIA'S TOP DESIGN AWARDS

Hong Kong (China) - On 21 November 2005 The Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) announced the results of the Hong Kong Design Centre Awards.
Hong Kong (China) - On 21 November 2005 The Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) announced the results of the Hong Kong Design Centre Awards.

05.12.2005 News

Hong Kong (China) - On 21 November 2005 The Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) announced the results of the Hong Kong Design Centre Awards, which include the Design for Asia Award (DFAA), special merit prizes for Distinguished Design from China (DDFC), and the World's Outstanding Chinese Designer award. In addition, the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong SAR Government announced the results of the inaugural Hong Kong Young Design Talent Awards. The eleven DFAA award recipients, five DDFC winners, Ms Vivienne Tam (this year's World's Outstanding Chinese Designer recipient) and five recipients of the Hong Kong Young Design Talent Awards were at an award presentation gala dinner officiated by Mr. John Tsang, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

Design for Asia Award 2005

All of the winning entries were characterised by bringing unusual experiences to users, which cater to human functional and emotional needs. A panel of 10 overseas and local judges of international standing selected a total of 11 DFAA Awards from among a record-breaking amount of nearly 500 entries, nearly doubling that of 2004.

-- Broadway Cyberport; by Broadway Circuit
-- Square Earth, Round Sky Royal Tableware; by The Council for Cultural Affairs
-- Reach Type Battery Forklift HBR 7 Series; by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
-- Lolah; by Interior Crafts of the Islands, Inc.
-- Liuligongfang; by Liuligongfang
-- Nokia 8800; by Nokia Corporation
-- ish magazine; by Page One Publishing Private Limited
-- Smart Oven; by Samsung Electronics
-- SDM-HS75P/HS95P LCD Monitor; by Sony Corporation
-- THINK Chair; by Steelcase Inc.
-- Template In Claska; by Urban Design System

The Design for Asia Award is dedicated to promoting design excellence and is presented to companies from around the world that have created business success from good designs that reflect or have an impact on the Asian lifestyle. Mr. Victor Lo, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the HKDC and Chairman of the Judging Panel, said, "In its third year, the Design for Asia Award received almost double the number of entries when compared to last year. This encouraging result reflects the growing importance of this award. The outstanding quality of entries demonstrates the increasing spread of design excellence in the region, and we believe that Asian designers will continue to grow in prominence in the global design industry."

Distinguished Design from China

A special merit prize, Distinguished Design from China, is also presented to outstanding designs that originate from the Greater China region.

The winners of Distinguished Design from China 2005 include:

-- A-Bike; by Daka Development Limited
-- e2800+Linux GMS Smart Phone; by E28 Limited
-- Handmade Dessert; by Honeymoon Dessert Limited
-- JT Oolong Oolong; by Japan Tobacco Inc.
-- Philips LCD TV 26PF9320; by Royal Philips Electronics

The winning designs were displayed at the Innovation and Design Expo at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 21 to 23 November 2005.

World's Outstanding Chinese Designer 2005

Vivienne Tam was awarded the World's Outstanding Chinese Designer this year. Having graduated from the Hong Kong Polytechnic's influential Fashion Design Department, Vivienne founded her own company in 1983. She is internationally recognised for her innovative explorations of Asian motifs and art in fashion, mixing handicrafts and modern technology in her design.

Mr. Freeman Lau, Chairman, Board of Directors of Hong Kong Design Centre said, "Ms Vivienne Tam is internationally renowned for her innovative East-meets-West fashion designs. Her passion for the Chinese culture not only makes her a world-class designer, but also allows the world to appreciate the Chinese culture. Both her deep sense of social responsibility and continued efforts to encourage creativity have provided exceptional contributions to the world s design industry. It is my great pleasure to congratulate Ms Tam on winning this award.

Hong Kong Young Design Talent Awards 2005

The five recipients of the inaugural Hong Kong Young Design Talent Awards 2005 were also announced with the awards being presented by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the SAR Government. The awards aim to support design capability building and nurturing of talent in the SAR. The scheme is part of the DesignSmart Initiative launched by the Government in 2004 with a view to strengthening the support for design and innovation, and promoting wider use of design and innovation in industries to help them move up the value chain.

Under the DesignSmart Initiative, the Government will sponsor two outstanding young designers each, with a maximum of $500,000 to undergo one-year training/attachment at reputable design institutions overseas. Thanks to the donations from Mr. Roy Chung, JP, Deputy Chairman of the Council of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Ltd and the Vocational Training Council, another three young designers will be sponsored each with maximum $250,000 to undergo six-month overseas training and/or work attachment.

The recipients of the Hong Kong Young Design Talent Awards 2005 are:

-- Miss Mak Ngar Tuen, Prudence; DesignSmart Young Design Talent Award
-- Mr Yip Siu Ka, Karr; DesignSmart Young Design Talent Award
-- Mr Pui Bing Wang, Baldwin; Bright Future Young Design Talent Award sponsored by
-- Mr Roy Chung, JP; Deputy Chairman of the Council of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
-- Mr Ng Sui Wang, Chris; Gold Peak Young Design Talent Award sponsored by Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Ltd
-- Mr Lei Lap Ian, Leo; IVE DeTech Young Design Talent Award sponsored by the Vocational Training Council

The Hong Kong Design Centre Awards, organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre with support from Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong SAR Government, are the highlight of Business of Design Week 2005 (BODW). All of the above awards were presented at the Hong Kong Design Centre Gala Dinner 2005. Continuing its ongoing theme, LifeStyleAsia , BODW took place from 19 to 23 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.



For further information please contact:

Business of Design Week 2005: Lifestyle Asia
E: www.bodw.com.hk



About the Business of Design Week: LifeStyleAsia

Business of Design Week (BODW) is the annual international flagship event of the Hong Kong Design Centre and is in its fourth year running. Each year, BODW gathers hundreds of Hong Kong's top designers and brand and innovation experts to discuss key initiatives and business networking in the design industry. Organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), the conference centres on an International Conference led by leading industry experts.



About the Hong Kong Design Centre

The Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) was formed in 2001 to drive Hong Kong to become a highly competitive internationally recognised source of innovative products and design talent.

Hong Kong has long been recognised as a leading design centre in the Asia Pacific region. At the crossroads of Asia and serving as the gateway to China, Hong Kong designers are ideally placed to help companies promote their products and services throughout the region and beyond.

The HKDC serves as a vital link between businesses and designers in Hong Kong, propelling Asian design into the 21st century, raising design standards and fostering
design-related education.

By creating a world-class centre of excellence, the HKDC aims to facilitate awareness of Hong Kong s rich source of innovative products and design talent across all disciplines, while promoting the vital role of design in a modern economy.

The HKDC is founded by the Hong Kong Federation of Design Associations Limited*, with support from the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Founding members include: The Chartered Society of Designers, Hong Kong (CSDHK), Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA), Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association (HKFDA), and Interior Design Association Hong Kong (HKIDA)



About the Innovation and Technology Commission

The Innovation and Technology Commission was established on 1 July 2000. The Commission works closely with other government departments, the industrial and business sectors, tertiary institutions and industry support organisations, with an aim to build a solid foundation for innovation and technology development and facilitate international trade, through supporting applied research and development, facilitating technology ventures, providing technological infrastructure, developing human capital and promoting internationally accepted standards and conformity assessment services.
Hong Kong (China) - On 21 November 2005 The Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) announced the results of the Hong Kong Design Centre Awards.
Hong Kong (China) - On 21 November 2005 The Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) announced the results of the Hong Kong Design Centre Awards.

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