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Award & Logo Usage Guidelines |
Home > Methodology > Award & Logo Usage Guidelines |
A’ Design Award Graphics Standards and Logo Usage Guidelines explains how to and how not to use the A' Design Award Logo from both legal and design perspectives.
Design Guidelines
Esteemed Laureates and Press Members, A’ Design Award and Competition has been a driving force for advancement of good design worldwide with innovative promotion techniques for good designs, and our records as one of the World’s leading design accolades back up this reputation. As we move ahead to an exciting new era in design communication, to accomplish our global mission of creating a worldwide awareness and appreciation of good design, good design practices and good design principles, we have added these guidelines to correctly communicate our logo, graphics and visual communication language. We hope this guide will help us enhance our efforts of making the A’ Design Award logo a global mark for good design meanwhile it will help the A’ Design Award logo to symbolize excellence in design worldwide. This manual is intended for the designers who would integrate the A’ Design Award logotype and winners’ marks to product packaging, visual communication, websites and any other content to help winners identify themselves and their works as winner of the A’ Design Award. This manual also covers the usage of standard A’ Design Award logo which could be used by press members and press partners to symbolize us. It is important to note that A’ Design Award laureates can use the “Winner Logo” and their variants only, as referred in this guide while the press members can also use our standard logo.
Using the Logo
When using our logo, please keep in mind that our logo is a central element of our visual communication. It is our signature which communicates our values of good design and principles of advancing society through arts, design, science and technology. Our logo consists of two parts, a textual element and a graphic image element. We provide several different logo options and for each options we would like to communicate the guidelines as clearly as possible. When using the logo, you should remember not to skew, distort or alter it any way. You should use the original vector based source for our logo, you should not use a photograph, scanned version or you should not trace or redraw it whenever possible.
Standard Logo
The Standard A’ Design Award logo is available in two versions. Firstly, a vertical version and secondly, a horizontal version is available. We provide two versions that you can use based on available space, however we prefer the vertical version of the logo to be used whenever possible as this vertical version displays our unique graphic image symbol of the logo bigger. We do not suggest to use the symbol without the textual component, please always incorporate both the text and the symbol together.
Logo Colours
Symbol: The A’ Design Award logo incorporates two distinct colours. First of all, the symbol is in a vivid, passionate, warm shade of red colour. We have chosen the red colour because it strikes the eye easier differentiating itself as a colour of prominent and important communication. The following codes relate to our award red: HEX #CC0000, RGB (204, 0, 0) and CMYK (0, 100, 100, 20), HSL (0, 100, 40), HSB (0, 100, 80). The following colour swatches match our Red colour: RAL 3028 (or RAL 3020 if RAL 3028 not available), PANTONE 485C 2X (or PANTONE 186C, PANTONE 1795C or PANTONE 7626C or PANTONE 18-1662 TCX FLAME SCARLET or PANTONE-TRUE-RED-19-1664-TCX or PANTONE 187C, if PANTONE 485C 2X is not available) and Sherwin-Williams SW6868 Real Red (or SW6867 Fireworks if SW6868 Real Red is not available). Text: The textual part of the logo is black however it is good to know screen black is not always same as printing black thus designer black or rich black should preferably be used for printing purposes, for screen it is HEX #000000, RGB (0, 0, 0) and for printing the designer black CMYK (70, 50, 30, 100) or rich black CMYK (63, 52, 51, 100) can be used, and the following colour swatches match PANTONE PROCESS BLACK C (or PANTONE BLACK 6C or PANTONE SOLID COATED NEUTRAL BLACK C or PANTONE HEXACHROME BLACK), RAL 9005 JET BLACK. Laureates can download a vector based CMYK logo from documents repository.
| Red HEX #CC0000 RGB (204, 0, 0) CMYK (0, 100, 100, 20) HSL (0, 100, 40) HSB (0, 100, 80) |
Black |
Logo Colour Usage
It is required to place logos on white background especially when using the original colour scheme. It is also possible to apply the colourful logo on a light value solid natural background or slightly gradient but highly light whitish background. The colourful logo shall not be placed on other bright or saturated colours.
Intoduce Padding and Margin
When you wish to place the colourful logos on a background that has a non-white colour you are suggested to use a white margin and padding around the logo. The amount of margin and padding is explained in the logo positioning section.
Use Black Versions instead of Grayscale
When using the logo as a single colour printing, instead of grayscale, completely black version shall be used as demonstrated below. The same margin and padding should also apply for the black version of the logo.
Negative (White Version)
You are suggested to use the red colour version of the logos whenever possible. However, sometimes you are allowed to use also the white filled logo in addition to the black logo. White filled logo can be used in cases where the background is dark colour or colourful with less luminosity; if the luminosity or brightness of the background is high, such as neon colours, than you should use the black colour instead.
When placing the white logo, colourful logo or the black logo, there should be ample contrast between the logo and the background to ensure that the logo can be clearly seen and understood. If there is not ample contrast between the logo and the background, the background shall be filled with white (for colourful logo), black (for white logo) and white (for black logo). Furthermore, as explained in the logo positioning section under margin and padding, there should be ample space to ensure that the logo does not get confused with other graphics present in your communication.
Logo Positioning
Margin and Padding is required when you place the logo next to or on top of other elements. There should not be any visible border around the logo. To remind you, the padding clears the area around the logo, and the margin is a special zone around the logo and it extends the padding, so margin + padding is where we prefer not to have any other graphic objects, and the padding value is for having a background.
The Grid
The A’ Design Award logotype should be reproduced based on the vector source file which explains the graphic mathematically. The vector file includes scalable values, thus the clarity and sharpness of the logo does not change when you scale it up or down. If you are unable to use the vector file, you can also refer to the Grid, which gives you an indication of values and proportions of the logo, as placed on an imaginary grid. This grid shall not be printed or used.
Winner logos however are not provided in vector format, and for the winner logos, high resolution version shall be used for printing purposes. When using the non-vector logos, please reproduce them by scaling or up-sampling the high resolution file as a reference, keeping X and Y ratios intact to ensure that the image is not distorted.
Logo Variants
A’ Design Award and Competition provides several logo variants to its laureates. The variants are designed to reflect the best practices in different design award categories, for example laurel wreath can be relevant in some industries, while gold badges could be important in others. When using the logo variants, please use the vector files if available and if vector files are not available please use the high resolution files. Winners should preferably use the standard logo whenever possible, however other design award seals and marks could be used as required.
 Winner Logo V2 |
 Black Flag V2 |
 Red Flag V2 |
 Good Design V2 |
 Laureal Wreath V2 |
 Red Ribbon V2 |
 Pick V2 |
 Prime Design Mark V2 |
 Industry Badge V2 |
 Selection Coin V2 |
 Shield V2 |
 5-Star V2 |
 Good Design Mark V2 |
Downloading the Logos
Standard Logo Download: Press members and laureates can download our vector based logos from our downloads page. Winner Graphics Download: Award winners can download special and customized design award winner logo from their control panels under download logos section. Press members can request specific high-resolution logos by contacting us.
Legal Guidelines
The A’ Design Award is an annual juried design award given to products, projects and services that meet rigorous criteria in select design categories each year. By recognizing innovative, outstanding and genuine products that have the potential improve the quality of life of society, the award aims to push designers and manufacturers worldwide to come up with superior designs that benefit mankind. To help brands that produce good products, A’ Design Award & Competition has created the “A’ Design Award Winner Logo” which could be placed on products and corporate communication to underline the design quality embedded in products, projects and services. The “A’ Design Award Winner Logo” can be used by awarded entities to promote that products that have earned the A’ Design Award.
Please kindly note that the “A’ Design Award Winner” logo, symbol or graphic may not be used in any way to imply endorsement of the awarded entity. To make sure there is no consumer confusion about the A’ Design Award, the following strict guidelines must be observed and followed.
The “A’ Design Award Winner” logo, symbol or graphic must be used only in association with products, services or projects that have won the award. The graphic can be used on advertisements, point of purchase displays, catalogs, web sites, or any other promotional materials. Use the "A' Design Award Winner" logos only for products, projects, or entities that have won the award. For individual product awards, apply the specific "Winner Logo" only to those products or projects.
If you wish to highlight your own entity, company or brand as an award winner i.e. without specifying any product, project or service you must apply to the following categories which are given not just for a single product, project or service but after consideration of the product-portfolio:
- A' Excellence in Design Award (Category 125):
For design studios, agencies, and professionals worldwide to showcase their complete portfolio. The award evaluates the entire portfolio and allows the winner to use the "A' Design Award Winner" logo broadly.
- A' Creative Industry and Lifelong Design Award (Category 114):
For professionals who are in charge of product development and innovation, considering their complete portfolio. The award is given to the designer or creative entity, allowing the winner to use the "A' Design Award Winner" logo across their entire brand.
- A' Diligence and Intelligence in Design Award (Category 119):
For institutions, companies, and enterprises that integrate design into their business. The award is given to the entity, allowing them to use the "A' Design Award Winner" logo across their entire company.
A company that does not partner with A’ Design Award & Competition or whose product has not achieved the A’ Design Award is not authorized to use any “A’ Design Award” logos. This section is excluded for press members. For large enterprises, the parent corporation is responsible for any subsidiaries using the “A’ Design Award Winner” logo, symbol or graphic in accordance with these guidelines.
The “A’ Design Award Winner” logo, symbol or graphic may never be associated with products that have not won the award. If you release an updated or new version of the product, we kindly ask that you re-apply to the accolades by letting us know the new specifications, materials or changes. You cannot use the award winning design logo for products that were not specially nominated and won the accolades.
Special Rules to follow when using the A’ Design Award Winner Logo. 1. Please do not alter or edit the logo. 2. Do not use on any product or product packaging that has not won the award. 3. The “Award Winning Design” graphic may never be used in a manner that would disparage the A’ Design Awards or its’ partners. 4. Please do not use in conjunction with any other design award logos that are not juried (i.e. if you won another design award which has less than 5 jury members, please do not use such award logo next to our logo, this includes public voting awards). 6. Do not alter the A’ Design Award Winner logo, symbol or graphic to incorporate language such as, “Company of the Year”, “Partner of the Year Award”, “A’ Design Award Partner”, “Design of the Year”, “Achievement of the Year”, etc; you will be given a series of possible titles that you could use together with your logo. 7. Do not use on vehicles, homes, or buildings in a way that it implies “partnership” or “official vehicle” or “office of A’ award” etc. 8. Please do not use the “A’ Design Award Winner Logo” to imply that any product, service, or organization has met government based standards or performance criteria for your product typology. 9. Please do not use on letterhead, business cards, and other stationery in a way that it implies a partnership; i.e. if you integrate in such materials always mention which product has won (exception categories 32 and 119). 10. Please do not use to denote A’ Design Award partnership or endorsement. 11. Please do not separate any of the “A’ Design Award Winner” logo, symbol or graphic’s elements. 12. Please do not use the award winning design logo, symbol or graphic in association with or in reference to an entry that was previously recognized with the A’ Design Award if the product, project or service is re-designed, updated or altered in any way.
How Not to Announce or Not to Use Award Status
Please do not use language such as “approved for use by A’ Design Awards”, “certified by A’ Design Awards”, “A’ Design Awards promotes the use of” etc. Especially ensure and be careful about not giving a false impression that your product, service or project was “tested”, “scientifically tested”, “scientifically approved”, “clinically tested” etc. Do not imply that your product, service or project was officially “tested” or “approved” after scientific or laboratory analysis. In summary, do not make any statements that could be misleading for customers or consumers.
Announcing Award Status
When announcing award status, you are suggested to use one of the following templates:
The [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME] has been recognized with the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Design Award in [CATEGORY/SUB-CATEGORY NAME]. The [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME] has been recognized with the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Award for [SUPERCATEGORY NAME]. The [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME] was awarded the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Design Award in [CATEGORY/SUB-CATEGORY NAME]. The [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME] was awarded the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Award for [SUPERCATEGORY NAME]. The [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME] has been awarded the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Design Award in [CATEGORY/SUB-CATEGORY NAME]. The [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME] has been awarded the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Award for [SUPERCATEGORY NAME]. |
The [COMPANY / BRAND / DESIGNER NAME] has been recognized with the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Design Award in [CATEGORY/SUB-CATEGORY NAME] for its [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME]. The [COMPANY / BRAND / DESIGNER NAME] was awarded the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Design Award in [CATEGORY/SUB-CATEGORY NAME] for its [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME]. The [COMPANY / BRAND / DESIGNER NAME] has been awarded the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Design Award in [CATEGORY/SUB-CATEGORY NAME] for its [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME]. The [COMPANY / BRAND / DESIGNER NAME] has been recognized with the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Award for [SUPERCATEGORY NAME] for its [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME]. The [COMPANY / BRAND / DESIGNER NAME] was awarded the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Award for [SUPERCATEGORY NAME] for its [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME]. The [COMPANY / BRAND / DESIGNER NAME] has been awarded the [PLATINUM / GOLDEN / SILVER / BRONZE / IRON] A’ Award for [SUPERCATEGORY NAME] for its [PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME]. |
where: COMPANY / BRAND / DESIGNER NAME: This is your company or brand name., PRODUCT / SERVICE / DESIGN NAME : This is the product, service or design name that was awarded, it usually includes the “Name” and “Primary Function” fields of your entry.CATEGORY : The primary award category you won.SUB-CATEGORY : Sub-Award Category, can be found from the list of sub-categories from the award description page, different for each award category.SUPERCATEGORY NAME : one of the following: Industrial Design Award, Product Design Award, Spatial Design Award, Architectural Design Award, Service Design Award or Communication Design Award, based on your award category.
Violations or Improper Usage
A’ Design Award & Competition actively monitors proper use of the “A’ Design Award” name, marks, logos, types, symbols and associated graphics. When violations are detected, anyone who misuses the symbols or marks will be contacted in writing, email or by telephone and a reasonable amount of time will be given to correct the error(s) per A’ Design Awards’ discretion. The time frame could dependent on the medium in which the violation appeared and the severity of the violation. A’ Design Award will also follow-up to ensure that the error(s) has been corrected. Failure to make the required changes may result in the withdrawal / disqualification of the stakeholder’s participation in the A’ Design Award and/or legal action. For any questions regarding award logo usage, please contact our support by sending relevant materials or samples.
Fair Use Permission
A’ Design Award & Competition hereby explicitly allows publications featuring A' Design Award & Competition as well as institutions and entitites including but not limited to media, non-profit organizations, universities and research organizations that provide coverage and or information regarding A' Design Award & Competition, a limited free usage of the A' Design Award Logo, solely as part of their articles and/or coverage to visually inform readers and/or to represent A' Design Award & Competition, and for no other purposes. A' Design Award reserves the right to revoke any permission granted to publications, universities, research institutions and or other non-profits; if permission is revoked, before legal action is taken, the entity will be informed 14 days prior and a formal takedown notice will be sent afterwards requesting cease and desist of logo usage. We especially write this to note to editors, media and publishers that you can use A' Design Award logo in your publications without being worried about being sued, however, if the article is deemed defamatory or incorrect, at the sole discretion of A' Design Award & Competition, we kindly reserve the right to kindly request you to not to use the logo, if we decide you should not use the logo, we will first contact you and provide you with 14 days of time before taking legal action. This fair use permission is also extended to research thesis and academic documents.
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