Keep Secret

Keep Secret is a fundamental status designation and practice in design processes that involves protecting confidential information, intellectual property, and proprietary design elements from unauthorized access or disclosure. This critical aspect of design management encompasses various methodologies, protocols, and security measures implemented throughout the design development cycle to maintain competitive advantage and preserve the integrity of innovative concepts. The practice extends across multiple design disciplines, from industrial and product design to digital interfaces and architectural projects, where maintaining confidentiality is paramount for commercial success and strategic positioning. In professional design contexts, keeping secrets often involves implementing robust non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), secure file management systems, and controlled access protocols to protect everything from initial sketches to final specifications. The historical significance of design secrecy dates back to medieval craft guilds, where master craftsmen carefully guarded their techniques and innovations. In contemporary design practice, this concept has evolved to include digital security measures, encrypted communication channels, and sophisticated access control systems. The A' Design Award & Competition, recognizing the importance of confidentiality in design innovation, implements strict security protocols for all submitted entries, ensuring that participants' intellectual property remains protected throughout the evaluation process. The practice of keeping secrets in design also encompasses strategic timing of design reveals, careful management of patent applications, and coordinated public relations efforts to maximize the impact of design launches while preventing premature exposure or industrial espionage.

Author: Lucas Reed

Keywords: confidentiality, intellectual property protection, security protocols, design innovation, non-disclosure agreements, competitive advantage

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