Iconic Design

Icon of Good Design
The A' Design Award's Design Icon programme was created to honour extraordinary special designs that have changed the way people perceive good design; designs that have left mark on our society, designs that helped the masses appreciate the value of good designs, designs that have changed the way we think about design, designs that bring together the very soul and essence of artistic creation, ingenuity and higher level thinking are to be highlighted, promoted and showcased as a reference to millions of design-savvy audiences who are looking forward to learn more about design and its role in our society. For us, the Iconic Design Award Program is a vital component of the A' Design Prize, benefiting A' Design Award winners and the world at large. By empowering laureates to nominate and promote iconic designs from their countries and cultures, the Iconic Design Award program contributes to a global understanding and appreciation of good design. The Iconic Design Award initiative creates an environment where excellent design can thrive, promoting designers, architects, brands and creative agencies who advance society with superior products and projects. In celebrating iconic designs, the A' Design Award and the Iconic Design Award Program honor the past and inspire the future, aligning with the mission to make the world a better place through good design. We take pride in this endeavor, recognizing its role in nurturing a global design community that values and upholds the essence of outstanding design.

Elevating the Role of A' Design Award Laureates
Winning the A' Design Award is a milestone that signifies more than just personal achievement; it is an acknowledgment of the winner's deep understanding and expertise in design. A' Design Award Laureates are entrusted with the honor of nominating works for the Iconic Design Award, a responsibility that highlights their role as connoisseurs and influencers in the design world. Their selections are not just nominations; they are endorsements of what epitomizes 'good design' in their perspective. The Iconic Design Award program helps A' Design Award laureates to excecise their authority on good design. As recipients of the A' Design Award, laureates ascend to a position of leadership within the design community. The insights and choices of the A' Design Award winners carry substantial weight, influencing current and future trends in design. This leadership role extends beyond national borders, impacting the global design narrative and setting standards for excellence. The nominations of the A' Design Award winners help define what constitutes iconic design, shaping the industry's future. Participation in the Iconic Design Award Program aligns laureates with the broader mission of the A' Design Award: to advance society through the promotion of excellent design. As part of this prestigious institution, A' Design Award laureates are involved in a movement that values innovation, creativity, and the societal impact of design. This involvement is not just a privilege; it's a responsibility to uphold and advocate for the transformative power of good design. The promotion of iconic designs through this program fosters a global culture of design appreciation and understanding. It supports the vision of a world where design is not just seen as an aesthetic or functional element but as a pivotal factor in societal advancement. By recognizing and honoring these timeless designs, the A' Design Award and its laureates contribute to a legacy that will inspire and shape future generations of designers, artists, and creators.

Designs that Shape our World and Culture
We are looking for two type of Iconic Designs: (1) Country-Specific Iconic Designs are designs that have significantly effected the culture of a specific country, including but not limited to prominent products, designs and architecture that become a common shared memory. (2) Industry-Specific Iconic Designs are designs that have shaped an industry; designs that are understood as milestones, designs that are historically noteable, designs that change the way things are made or done. - Furthermore, all works must be timeproven, and must be older than 15 years of age, Iconic Design Award is not for new products, architecture or designs, for new works do please refer to Design Community Awards intead.

A' Iconic Design Award
The Iconic A' Design Award is retroactively granted by the Grand Award Jury, A' Design Award Laureates and the International Design Academy for excellent design products and projects that have a traceable effect on the development of design industry. The International Design Academy is formed by leading design professionals, academics and press members who are also part of the A' Design Award Grand Jury. Every year, the International Design Academy members nominate several high profile design works for this achievement. Proposals and nominations are anonymously collected and the designers whose designs receive the highest number of votes are presented the A' Iconic Design Award. Furthermore award winning A' Design Award Laureates have a right to vote, suggest and nominate iconic design works from their countries and domains of knowledge. Design Icon status is a very important distinction given by our organization. The A' Iconic Design Award program is an initiative of A' Design Award, established to honour outstanding designers for their ingenious design works which have attained enduring appeal and is expected to remain relevant for many years. The A' Design Award has a philanthropic goal to create a global appreciation and understanding of good design. We know that promoting your excellent design work will help us get a step closer to our vision where good design advances and leads society. The Iconic Design Award Program is a testament to the power of design in our history and culture. It empowers A' Design Award laureates to be key players in defining and celebrating this power, aligning them with a global mission to elevate the role of design in advancing society.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition
The A' Iconic Design Award, an esteemed initiative by the A' Design Award, stands as a monumental testament to design's transformative power in society. Celebrating creations that have not only transcended time but have also reshaped cultural aesthetics and societal standards, the program goes beyond mere recognition. It actively encourages designers, brands, and architects worldwide to pursue innovation, blending aesthetics with functionality, and to conceive designs that are not only visually striking but also socially and environmentally responsible. The A' Iconic Design Award aligns with the A' Design Award's philanthropic mission of promoting good design as a pivotal force in societal advancement. By spotlighting these enduring and impactful designs, the A' Iconic Design Award nurtures a global appreciation for the nuanced role of design in enhancing our daily lives and setting new benchmarks in creativity. In essence, the A' Iconic Design Award doesn't just honor the heritage of design excellence; it ignites a beacon for future generations, inspiring them to create works that will continue to shape and enrich our world.

Iconic Design Award Nomination Process
The A' Iconic Design Award Criteria and Regulations outline the process for nominating and selecting timeless works in art, design, architecture, and creative fields. Eligible works must be at least 15 years old and have cultural or historical significance. Nominations, encouraged from participants' own countries and fields, are submitted online with no fees. The selection involves screening by design experts and is updated annually. Living laureates may contribute a public lecture and attend a gala, while posthumous recognitions are directed to estates or cultural institutions. The process culminates in an annual update of the Iconic Design Award winners list. The detailed process is noted below.

A' Iconic Design Award Criteria and Regulations
International Design Academy members, A' Design Award laureates and A' Design Award jurors could suggest and nominate a work for Iconic Design Award consideration, following the Design Icon criteria and guidelines noted below:

1. Works can be from any field or category of art, design, architecture or other creative occupations; can be products, works of art, services or experiences. Outstanding works that integrate good design practices and principles are welcome. Cultural heritage works, works of historic cultural origin are welcome.

2. Works shall be at least 15 years old, can be older than 15 years (it is possible to nominate heritage designs, regardless of how old they are; i.e. thousand-year old designs could be nominated). We especially wish to highlight and promote designs that have withstood the test of time. Works that were created many years ago, yet still looking contemporary, attractive and relevant are welcome. Works that have helped shaped culture is welcome.

3. The Iconic Design Award works must have gained wide appreciation from their prospective audiences; they should be famous already in your country, within their respected fields. Works that have influenced and lead the creation of further works in the industry are welcome.

4. Please especially nominate works from your own country when possible. Furthermore, you can nominate works in your own domain of knowledge and interest, including works from other countries.

5. Nominations and submissions shall be made online from this link here:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/iconic-design-award-nomination.php

6. Suggesting Iconic Design Award works are optional, but we hope you can nominate the best works from your country in a timely manner, there are no fees or costs involved and A' Design Award laureates and A' Design Award jury members can nominate multiple works from their respective countries.

7. Iconic Design works will be chooses based on suggestions by the International Design Academy and A' Design Award laureates, after a manual screening and filtering of the suggestions by design historians, curators and consultants. The process usually takes several months each year.

8. Results will be available from the Resources (List of Design Icons) page:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/resource-list.php?TYPE=1801

9. The list of Iconic Design Award winners will be updated once a year with new entries, we will send communication to the International Design Academy members and the laureates to ensure the sustained maintainance of this precious resource.

10. Each living Iconic Design Award laureate is asked but not obliged to give a public lecture on a subject related to the category of their prize. Laureates are asked but not obliged to attend the gala. If laureate is no longer living, their estate or a cultural institution representing them are invited to gala instead.

11. If an Iconic Design Award laureate is no longer living, the communication and award status is communicated to his or her estate, and any eventual award collateral are sent to the estate. If the Iconic Design Award laureate is not identified as a single person; for example a design that was made thousands of year ago, then their award might be given to a representing cultural institution of their country, including but not limited to ministry of culture or the leading association of design.

12. Laureates are asked but not obliged to send a represented image of their awarded as well as rights for publication, to be included and shown in the list. If laureate is not available, we will try to photograph the work ourselves or purchase a stock image that represents the work.

13. A special page is created for the awarded work, together with a description and image. Images send by the laureates are used mainly, however if the laureate is no longer reachable, public domain or stock images could be used to represent the work.

14. The process flow is as noted: 1) Call for Nominations are sent. 2) Nominations are collected on deadline. 3) A short list is prepared. 4) Advisory board reviews the short list. 5) Prominent entries are added to List of Design Icons page. 6) Design Icon recepients are notified and invited to the A' Design Award gala. 7) Gala and Ceremony takes place.

15. Deadline for nominations are due on December 15 of each year to be considered for the next years' Iconic Design list which is published in November 15 of the following year.