DFA awards 2024 celebrates achievements in asian design

DFA AWARDS 2024 ANNOUNCES ITS WINNERS

The DFA Awards celebrate the transformative power of design across a wide array of disciplines, recognizing outstanding contributions that have made a lasting impact on Asian society through six award programs. Spanning six categories – Communication Design, Digital & Motion Design, Fashion & Accessory Design, Product & Industrial Design, Service & Experience Design, and Spatial Design – the 2024 edition of DFA Design for Asia Awards honors 215 exceptional projects, including 10 Grand Awards.

From groundbreaking architectural concepts like the Beijing Library by Snøhetta to iconic product designs, notable individual award recipients include renowned architect Kengo Kuma, G-SHOCK creator Kikuo Ibe, pioneering lighting designer Tino Kwan, and Eisuke Tachikawa, Founder and CEO of NOSIGNER. Read along to learn more about their remarkable achievements.

(banner) NOT A HOTEL FUKUOKA by axonometric; NKS2 architects; A.N.D., NOMURA Co., Ltd. (DFAA 2024 Grand Award winner)
(above) The Panda Pavilions by Atelier Ping Jiang | EID Arch (DFAA 2024 Grand Award winner) | all images courtesy of DFA Awards

Established in 2003 by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), the DFA Awards are supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA). The award program recognizes design excellence across Asia, highlighting projects that push creative boundaries and address global challenges. Judged by an international panel of over 40 experts from diverse design fields, the 2024 awardees include Kengo Kuma, DFA Lifetime Achievement Award (DFA LAA); Kikuo Ibe, DFA Design Leadership Award (DFA DLA); Tino Kwan, DFA World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer (DFA WOCD) and Eisuke Tachikawa, DFA Designer Of The Year (DFA DOY), each representing the pinnacle of design excellence and innovation.

Beijing Library by Snøhetta (DFAA 2024 Grand Award winner)

AWARDS FOR INDIVIDUAL EXCELLENCE IN ASIAN DESIGN

Renowned for his philosophy of using natural materials and designing human-scaled spaces, Kengo Kuma is the recipient of the 2024 DFA Lifetime Achievement Award. His work exemplifies a harmonious integration of traditional Japanese aesthetics with cutting-edge technology, creating architecture that is both grounded and forward-thinking. By redefining the relationship between nature, technology, and humanity, Kuma’s designs have made a profound impact on contemporary architecture globally.

V&A Dundee by Kengo Kuma | image ©Hufton+Crow

Kengo Kuma, recipient of the DFA Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 (DFA LAA) | image © Designhouse

Kikuo Ibe, the visionary behind the G-SHOCK watch, is celebrated with the DFA Design Leadership Award for 2024. His invention in 1981 revolutionized the watch industry with its shock-resistant design, turning G-SHOCK into a global phenomenon. More than 100 million G-SHOCK watches have been sold worldwide, making it a cultural icon and a technological marvel. This award honors Ibe’s leadership, which continuously challenges conventional product design, enhancing durability and resilience while maintaining mass appeal.

DW-5000C-1A G G-SHOCK by Kikuo Ibe

Kikuo Ibe, recipient of the DFA Design Leadership Award 2024 (DFA DLA)

Tino Kwan, one of the world’s foremost lighting designers, receives the 2024 DFA World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer. With a career spanning over 45 years, Kwan is a pioneer in lighting design, having established his firm, Tino Kwan Lighting Consultants, in London in 1979. His work has illuminated some of the most luxurious commercial buildings, hotels, and private residences around the globe, making him an influential figure in shaping the aesthetic and functional use of lighting. Kwan’s approach to design focuses on creating atmospheric environments that transform spaces, further elevating his status as a global leader in the field of lighting design.

The Peninsula Tokyo by Tino Kwan

Tino Kwan, recipient of the DFA World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer (DFA WOCD)

The first DFA Designer of the Year honors Eisuke Tachikawa, founder of NOSIGNER, for his unique approach to addressing global social issues through design. Known for his concept of ‘Evolutional Creativity,’ which parallels biological evolution with the creative process, Tachikawa has received over 100 design awards, including two DFA Grand Awards. His leadership in sustainable design and efforts to tackle climate change and disaster prevention have redefined the role of design in solving real-world problems.

Publication ‘Evolution Thinking’ by Eisuke Tachikawa

Eisuke Tachikawa, recipient of the DFA Designer of the Year 2024 (DFA DOY)

DESIGN FOR ASIA AWARDS (DFAA) CELEBRATES 10 GRAND AWARD WINNERS

The DFA Design for Asia Awards 2024 (DFA DFAA) continues to shine a spotlight on exceptional design achievements that have made a significant impact across Asia and beyond. With its six diverse categories – Communication Design, Digital & Motion Design, Fashion & Accessory Design, Product & Industrial Design, Service & Experience Design, and Spatial Design – the 2024 edition conferred a total of 215 accolades. Among them, 10 Grand Awards stood out, celebrating the pinnacle of innovation, along with 20 Gold, 43 Silver, 57 Bronze, and 85 Merit Awards.

‘It is truly inspiring to witness the incredible calibre of projects showcased in DFAA 2024. This year, we have seen an impressive range of designs that not only push creative boundaries but also reflect a deep commitment to addressing pressing global challenges, from social inclusivity to cultural preservation. It is heartening to see designers embracing social responsibility, incorporating sustainable practices, and preserving heritage while shaping the future of design in Asia. Congratulations to all the winners, whose visionary work is leading the way to a brighter future,’ says Steve Leung, Vice Chairman of HKDC and Chairman of the DFA Awards Steering Committee.