the hong kong design centre (HKDC) announces a global call for entries for the ‘design for asia award 2011’ (DFA award) set up to honor and acknowledge innovative projects that have the potential to enhance the quality and vibrancy of people’s lives in the region.

the acknowledgments are presented in a series of gold, silver, and bronze awards and merit recognition for high quality designs based on entries submitted from 18 categories under four design disciplines including: apparel and accessory design, communication design, product and industrial design and environment design.

the HKDC will also present 10 seminal ‘design for asia grand awards’ from nominations from around the world, celebrating designers that have made an impact within asia. this international award is put in place as a means of bringing attention to designs which are contributing to the world’s sustainability. three out of the ten awardees will receive a special award for significant contributions within the domains of culture, sustainability and technology.

design for asia award 2011 dyson air multiplier fan, UK – winner of the DFA special award for technology 2010

last year, british product and industrial designer, sir james dyson, received the ‘DFA special award for technology’ for his dyson air multiplier fan, the world’s first bladeless fan; japanese capsule hotel ‘nine hours’ came up with a visual solution to break the unhygienic stereotype of capsule hotel, receiving the ‘DFA special award for culture’ and ‘green school’ nestled in bali, indonesia received the ‘DFA special award for sustainability’ for its use of indigenous and sustainable bamboo and mud brick structures.

design for asia award 2011 ‘nine hours’ capsule hotel, japan  – winner of the DFA special award for culture 2010

the international judging panel for this year’s award includes: miss chelsia lau, chief designer, ford motor company ms. julia chiu, global communication director, international design center nagoya, inc mr. william harald-wong, principal / design director, william harald wong & associates mr. eric chan, president, ecco design mr. nille juul sorensen, associate director/jury chairman, arup/ index ms. birgit lohmann, CEO / editor-in-chief, designboom you may see the full list of judges here.

design for asia award 2011 ‘green school’, indonesia – winner of the DFA special award for sustainability

‘the DFA award is a preeminent award programme in asia, attracting the world’s best design talents, and we are proud that create hong kong has been very supportive towards this award. as well as recognizing asian design excellence, the award aims to encourage the exchange of ideas on utilizing design to create unique business opportunities, and adding value to business. likewise, in hong kong design centre (HKDC), we have a team of dedicated researchers continuously look for outstanding design projects around the world, to share with industry practitioners and friends of HKDC. located at asia’s leading creative hub, hong kong design centre will continue to facilitate mutual exchanges among practitioners, and assist in promoting design excellence and the sustainable development of the industry.’ – victor lo, chairman of hong kong design centre and chairman of DFA grand award judging panel

interested parties may submit applications online from now through july 15th, 2011. all nominated project should have been presented between january 1st, 2009 and july 31st, 2011 in at least one of the asian markets.