Why Not Join Design Awards

Why Designers Do Not Join Awards
The value of design awards are significant for promotion and advertising, if organized correctly. Designers are able to gain prestige, learn their place, compete with others, improve their work and have their designs promoted when they take part in good design accolades. Good design awards respect the right of designers and value the works being submitted.

However unfortunately not all design awards are organized good enough. This research covers several insights and points that put off participants. All design awards, competitions and contests could benefit from the insights here to improve their offering. We are listing the issues without divulging further into the subjects as they are mostly self-explanatory.

1) Lack of Relevant Design Award Category
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award publish detailed category lists.

2) Obscure Entries or Results Not Published Online
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award publish and promote results.

3) Just 1 Award Given Regardless of Number of Entries or Only 1 Winner Limitation for A Category
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award, award a percentage of entries without limitation on the number.

4) Low percentage of Winners
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award, have about 20% to 30% of entries as winners.

5) No Known Names
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award, are participated by large brands and famous designers.

6) Too Specific
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award, cover a large number of categories.

7) Number of Entrants
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award, have many participants.

8) High Costs of Entry or High Awarding Costs
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award, do not have further fees.

9) Calibre of Winners
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award, are participated by great designers.

10) Low Advertising
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award, advertise and promote winners.

11) Insufficient Jury
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award, have a great jury of experts, academics and professionals.

12) Niche Participant Group
Good design awards, such as A’ Design Award, are participated by brands, agencies, professionals as well as upcoming designers.

There are of course many more issues, but for a design award to become a good design award, the organizers should investigate the points that create friction for designers; the goal of the organizer should be to ensure that designers could partake in the award program with a free state of mind. To ensure a free state of mind, the competition should be reliable, trustable and must also offer a good value proposition that appeals to the audience at the right price point.