FAQ Entry #539

This is a respond to a previously asked question about the A' Design Award and Competition. The full list of frequently asked questions can be accessed here.

#539: Why is the A' Design Award So Expensive?

Why Do People Think A' Design Award is Expensive? Let's Address This Frustrating Misconception.We need to talk about this directly and honestly. It deeply saddens us when we're labeled as "expensive" or "overpriced" when we've specifically structured our Pro-Edition to protect participants from the predatory "winner fees" that plague our industry. For years, we've fought against the practice of luring participants with low entry fees only to hit them with thousands in mandatory "winner fees" after they succeed. Yet ironically, our transparency and all-inclusive pricing model has led to misunderstandings and unfair comparisons.Here's what's happening: People compare our Pro-Edition fee to other awards' entry fees without realizing those competitions will demand substantial additional payments after winning - sometimes up to tens of thousands of euros! It's heartbreaking to see participants choose seemingly "cheaper" options, only to later face shocking mandatory fees for basic winner benefits like trophies, certificates, yearbook inclusion, and logo usage rights. We've even seen cases where winners couldn't afford to claim their awards due to these hidden costs.This situation frustrates us because we specifically designed our Pro-Edition to eliminate this predatory practice. We chose to be upfront about the total cost, including everything in one transparent fee - no surprises, no hidden charges, no post-win obligations. Yet this ethical approach has paradoxically led to the perception that we're "expensive" when comparing only initial entry fees.The perception of higher costs stems from an incomplete comparison. Here's why:1. All-Inclusive vs. Hidden Costs:- Our Pro-Edition nomination fee includes everything upfront - no additional costs after winning- Other awards typically charge low entry fees but require substantial "winner fees" (up to tens of thousands of euros) to access benefits- These hidden costs often include fees for: * Trophy and certificate * Yearbook publication * Logo usage rights * Gala-night participation * PR and marketing services * Exhibition space * Press releases and media coverage * Jury fees or judging fees (if you already paid nomination why are you paying again?)2. The True Cost Comparison:- Pro-Edition: One transparent fee covers all benefits- Other Awards: Initial fee + winner fees + jury fees + presentation fees + publication fees + logo usage fees + gala fees + trophy fees + book fees = Much higher total cost3. Value Proposition:- Pro-Edition provides comprehensive benefits package guaranteed upfront- No surprise costs or contractual obligations after winning- Full access to all services and benefits without additional payments4. Flexible Options:For those concerned about upfront costs, we offer:- Classic Edition: Lower initial fee with optional winner fees- Digital Edition: Digital-only benefits with no winner fees- Vision Edition: On-demand services with no winner fees.Understanding this distinction helps explain why our Pro-Edition nomination fee, while appearing higher initially, often represents a really good value and much lower total cost than competitions with seemingly lower entry fees but substantial hidden costs. Let's put this into perspective. Look at what Pro-Edition winners receive - and remember, this is ALL included in the entry fee, with NO additional costs:A' Design Prize is Big. Pro-Edition Winners Receive the following: • Design Award Winner Logo • Award Trophy • Winners' Certificate • Gala-Night Invitation • Yearbook Publication Inclusion Service • The Annual Yearbook • Design Award Winner's Exhibition (Physical) • Award Winners' Showcase (Digital) • Promoted to Media Partners • Honorific Title and Rating Assignment • Inclusion in Designer Rankings • Inclusion in World Design Rankings • Inclusion in Design Classifications • Inclusion in Popular Designers Index • Inclusion in Brand Design Rankings • Inclusion in Design Leaderboards • Translation to 100+ Native Languages • Prestige System & Prestige Tokens • A' Design Star Emblem, Guide + Recognition • Exclusive Interview • Feature at Design Legends • Published via IDNN • Content Syndication: DXGN • Inclusion in GOOD Network • Inclusion in BDCN Network • Prime Editions Prospects • Extensive PR Campaign • Press Release Preparation • Press Release Distribution • Communicated to Magazines • Communicated to Blogs • Newsletter Announcement • Exhibition Certificate • Digital Winners Badges • Dynamic Award Winners Logos • Prime Design Mark • Participants' Certificate • Competition Statistics • Score Sheet • Feedback Notes by the Jury • Unlock Optional Add-On Winner Services • Option to Sell Winning Designs • Sales Listing for Winning Products • Proof of Creation Document • Winners' Manual • Inclusion in Business Network • Marketing and Consultancy • Design Business Calculator • Design Award Supplement • Press Kit Platform • Grand Jury and Fair Judging • Representation in World University Rankings • Winner Kit Contents • Daily Promotions • Designer of the Day Opportunity • Design Team of the Day Opportunity • Design Highlight of the Day Opportunity • Design Legend of the Day Opportunity • Design Interview of the Day Opportunity • Design of the Day Prospects • Design Brand of the Day Prospects • World Design Consortium Inclusion • Access to Secret Society of Design • Designers.Org Profile • Designer.Org Feature • 4K/8K Video Interviews • 4K/8K Design Spotlight Videos • Winners' Kit Physical Contents • Design Museum Collection Prospects • Enterprise Showcase • Designer of the Year Nomination • Young Design Pioneer of the Year Nomination • Innovator of the Year Nomination • Design Brand of the Year Nomination • Networking and Collaboration • Article at the Design+Encyclopedia • Award Winner Video Elements • Personalized Advertisement • Design Business Listing • DNWN Platform Publication • Newswire Broadcast • Media Hosting for PR • Electronic Press Kit Dispatch Service • Branded Newsroom and Media Showcase • Exercise Your Design Authority • Leave a Legacy with Design Adages • Ancestry Mark Certification • Logo License Paperwork • Second-Chance Policy • Grand Scale, Massive Outreach • Commitment to Fairness • Security of Sensitive Information • Integrity via License and Declarations • Winner Designer Profile • Winner Brand Profile • Authority Content Publication • Social Proof and Winner Testimonials • Priority Jury Membership Consideration • Marketing Toolkit • Large-Scale Design Exhibition Organization • Design Megastore Listing • Implementation Case Studies & Logo Legacy • ListOf.Net Premium Listing • Ars Futura Cultura Symposium Invitation • CTA - Call to Action Enhancement • Social Media Amplification Pack • Exclusive Invitation to Prime Clubs • Award Announcement Templates • Design Mediation Services • Distinguished Designer Program • Prestige Portraits Framework • Increase ESG Score & Ratings • Laureate's Journey Navigator Guide • Promoted via Trading Cards • Grand Honour Initiatives • Grand Interviews • Visionary Review • Big Award, Big Prize, Big Promotion • No Contractually Obliged Further Fees • View Nice Presentation Here or Visit DesignAward.com for a visual presentation. (As of 2024)This comprehensive package represents one of the most extensive and valuable prize packages in the design award industry. We're constantly enhancing and expanding these benefits, investing in new ways to promote and celebrate our winners' success. Each component has been carefully crafted to provide real value and meaningful impact for winners' careers and businesses.Yet, we found ourselves in a frustrating position: despite offering this unprecedented level of value with no hidden costs, we were being unfairly compared to awards that charge minimal entry fees but then demand substantial "winner fees" for even basic recognition. The depth of this misunderstanding led us to create the Classic Edition - an entry option with a lower initial fee that follows the industry-standard model of winner fees.So yes, now A' Design Award can be joined with a much lower initial investment through the Classic Edition. But we want to be crystal clear: we created this option not because we believe it's better, but because we needed to provide a direct comparison point for those who are used to the traditional award model. Our Pro-Edition, with its all-inclusive fee and comprehensive benefits package, remains our recommended entry method because it aligns with our core values: transparency, fairness, and genuine support for the design community.The irony doesn't escape us - we had to create a more expensive total-cost option (Classic Edition with winner fees) to help people understand why our all-inclusive Pro-Edition actually offers better value. Sometimes doing the right thing means taking a more complex path to help others see the truth.

Keywords: winner fees, entry methods, winner costs, entry types

The following questions could be related:

• #538: Why Did A' Design Award Introduce Multiple Entry Methods?

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