Hong Kong Design Centre

Facing ever-complex world problems in a time of emergency, we need more excellent designs to help us adapt to the new normal and design talents who are always striving to make the world a better place. Hong Kong Design Centre's DFA Awards, including DFA Design for Asia Awards (DFA DFAA) and DFA Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award (DFA HKYDTA), with Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the lead sponsor, have been celebrating outstanding design projects and emerging Hong Kong designers with Asian perspectives. The awards are one of the most prestigious design accolades in the region providing a stage for designers to showcase their vision and talents internationally. The awards motivate the design community to break new ground and underpin their vital role in bettering our society, economy and well-being.

studiowmw, a multidisciplinary design studio, won the DFA DFAA Bronze Award in 2020 with their Share the Joy of Floral red packet design. The design breaks the mould of conventional 'lai see' designs using floriography, featuring packets with flower illustrations and interchangeable sleeves printed with vases. Sunny Wong, Founder and Design Director of Studiowmw said, “We were delighted that the work was not only appreciated by the public but also recognised by the design industry. It felt great to be validated with other outstanding designers from other countries. It spurred us to keep on challenging ourselves. A design award’s reputation matters, and DFA DFAA is one that can boost our clients' confidence in us."

A design award’s reputation matters, and DFA DFAA is one that can boost our clients' confidence in us.

Share the Joy of Floral red packets designed by studiowmw

With their commitment to human-centred design and co-design, Mosi design ltd received the DFA DFAA Merit Award last year. They engaged people with autism to design mooncake packaging and part of the profits went back to the collaborators. The project demonstrates the power of design in empowering disabled communities and advancing awareness of social inclusion. "Not many inclusive design projects were awarded before. It was very encouraging that our efforts to raise awareness of minority groups through design was recognised. It showed us the appreciation, change and hope of our society," Comma Leung, Founder of Mosi design ltd said. The award brought them more than just commendation, "in addition to exhibiting our works, we were invited abroad to share our projects in Japan, Tainan, etc as we received the award in the past. These opportunities helped us build brand awareness, expand business network and promote social inclusion," she added.

It was very encouraging that our efforts to raise awareness of minority groups through design was recognised. It showed us the appreciation, change and hope of our society.

Mooncake packaging co-designed by Mosi design ltd and people with autism

Since 2005, DFA HKYDTA has exalted budding Hong Kong designers and design students every year and supported them to gain overseas work or study experience. Having won the CreateSmart Young Design Talent Award in 2019, fashion designer Necro Poon pursued his placement at JUST IN XX in Taiwan and is planning to pursue another one at BALMUNG in Japan. "The award gave me the opportunity to explore the fashion industries outside of Hong Kong. I learnt how Taiwanese and Japanese designers work and create new collections. It also gave me a platform to showcase my brand and designs to the world, and inspired me to seek collaborations with other artists and companies," he said.

It also gave me a platform to showcase my brand and designs to the world, and inspired me to seek collaborations with other artists and companies.

Fashion apparels designed by Necro Poon

Last year's CreateSmart Young Design Talent Special Award winner Ryan Tung said, "The award is not just a recognition, it also opened many doorways in my career path. It propelled me to go after what I believe in and my architectural interests." The architectural designer is now planning to intern at some interactive architectural firms in the UK such as Squint Opera or Heatherwick Studio.

The award is not just a recognition, it also opened many doorways in my career path.

Boardgame (left) and animation (right) designed by Ryan Tung

The 2021 edition of DFA DFAA has opened for global submissions. The deadline is 18 June 2021 (Hong Kong Time) and you will be able to save 50% on the entry fee by applying on or before 30 April.

DFA HKYDTA will accept applications from 20 April to 28 June. Apply now to take your design career to the next level!

If you are confident in the impact of your design projects, or eager to broaden your design experience, all four of our former winners agree that DFA DFAA and DFA HKYDTA are the awards you should go for:

"The Award is a spotlighted stage with ample resources on which your work can dazzle the world." - Comma Leung	"You will get professional critiques from international experts, and share the same commendation as other exceptional designers. It's a great opportunity to present your works." - Sunny Wong
"Always do what you want and give your all in it. Don't let the opportunity slip away." - Necro Poon	"Do not hesitate. Shoot for the opportunity of a lifetime now!" - Ryan Tung