The Judging Panels assess each entry based on Good Design, Influence in Asia, and Commercial Success.

Good Design

• Creativity
• Originality
• Innovativeness
• Usability and Ergonomics
• Aesthetics
• Workmanship
• Choice of materials
• Application of technology
• Environmental friendliness
• Ecological responsibility
• Communication effectiveness (For Communication Design categories)
• Clarity (For Communication Design categories)
• Structuring (For Communication Design categories)
• Presentation of information (For Communication Design categories)
• Space planning (For Environment Design categories)
• Concept and fidelity to client's brief (For Environment Design categories)

Influence in Asia

• Forward-thinking and innovative designs
• Impact on Asian lifestyles
• Set trends for the Asian way of living
• Inherent understanding of the distinct Asian way of life
• Serve the needs of the Asian market
• Set a trend in the design field and influences its industry peers

Commercial Success

• Increase in sales and market share
• Broaden customer base
• Acquire new markets
• Reduce manufacturing costs
• Improve productivity and profitability
• Shorten lead-time to market
• Improve corporate image
• Achieve specific business objectives

JUDGING PROCESS
The Design for Asia Award 2008 includes two stages of detailed assessments, based on the physical product, professional design images and any supporting materials submitted by the entrant, namely the First Stage Judging and the Grand Award Judging.

First Stage Judging
The First Stage Judging focuses on the excellence and the influence of the design within Asia. Actual products will be set up in halls to be evaluated by judges.

Up to three best works¹ from each of the 18 categories will be presented the following three awards:
DFA Gold Award²
DFA Silver Award
DFA Bronze Award


Grand Award Judging
The DFA Gold Award winner(s) from each category will be competing with the Invited Entries nominated by the DFA Regional Expert Panel together for the below three awards:

DFA Grand Award
A maximum of ten designs³ will be awarded this prestigious recognition

DFA Special Awards
A maximum of three designs will be awarded⁴ the below:
- DFA Special Award for Sustainability
- DFA Special Award for Culture
- DFA Special Award for Technology

DFA Outstanding Design from Greater China Awards
A maximum of ten DFA Gold winners plus Invited Entries from Greater China region in the 18 categories will be awarded⁵.


The Award Schedule

28 Apr 2008	Call for entries
31 Jul 2008	Deadline for First Stage Judging Submission
14 - 15 Aug 2008	First Stage Judging
12 Sep 2008	Deadline for Grand Award Judging Submission
9 - 10 Oct 2008	Grand Award Judging
Mid Dec 2008	Award presentation and HKDC Annual Award Gala Dinner

1. The judging panels reserve the right to determine the number of winning designs for all awards
2. One maximum Gold award per category
3. The judging panels reserve the right to determine the number of winning designs of all awards.
4. The judging panels reserve the right to not select any winner.
5. Excluding DFA Grand Award winners