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see the shortlist here

WINNERS SHOWCASE 2021

Tom Banks, Editor Design Week

It’s been a privilege to reflect on projects which have responded so well to an unforgettable year and acknowledge designers’ ability to rise to a very particular set of challenges. Looking back from a position of hindsight in 2021 we are reminded that some of the work carried out in 2020 needed to respond directly to the pandemic and much more to the unique business circumstances which arose as a result of it. Yet dominating as this backdrop was, other issues have of course required designers’ attention and this is reflected in the Winners' Showcase. The task of judging required our biggest ever panel of judges to come together and share their wide range of experience and expertise. Some 47 judges took part in a rigorous process, which first saw them judge in isolation and then in group conversations. You can read about some of the judges here. Possibly brought on by people’s way of life changing in such a profound way in the last 16 months, there was a rise in design relating to physical and mental health. Meanwhile the well-documented digital acceleration over this period is broadly reflected in the kinds of projects we are seeing across categories, as is a growing social awareness among consumers, which is in no way limited to the Social Design category. Our Designing Out COVID-19 category saw that projects addressing the matter were able to be judged in this particular context. Northern Ireland Covid Response, by Big Motive won this category and was recognised for it’s sophisticated, easy to understand and empathetic design, which allowed citizens in Northern Ireland to take part in a track and trace process and access key information on COVID, while protecting their personal data. The project, carried out for Northern Ireland Department of Health, consisted of two main apps serving these purposes, with the track and trace app downloaded by half of the Northern Ireland population within several months of launch. Deservedly it also scooped the Service Design award and is this year’s Best of Show, which is always a hard-fought contest. You can find out more about the project later on in this Winner’s Showcase. Look out for the Identity Design – Rebrand winner, San Francisco Symphony, by Collins. This ambitious visual system comprised typographic, digital and sonic outputs, which looked to express the orchestra’s vision to reposition classical music for the twentieth century. Our judges said it was: “Expressive in both static and motion and sets itself apart from all the other recent rebrands”. Shortlisted in several categories San Francisco is also our Print Communications winner this year. Our Product Design – Consumer category was another hard fought contest, with the Elvie Curve, designed by Elvie, winning out. It is a silicone breast pump designed for hands-free expulsion, can be worn in bra and was commended for being discreet and easy to operate. Finally I want to congratulate all the winners, those who were highly commended and shortlisted. You came a long way to make it to this stage. And thank you to everyone who entered this year. You can read about all of these projects in this Winners’ Showcase and find out who is this year’s Rising Star as well as which two people from the industry we have inducted into the Hall of Fame. I wish you well in the rest of 2021 and hope that the uptick in business which is beginning to be felt continues apace as you carry on tackling the issues of the day with so much conviction. Winners, look out for your trophies, they're in the post. If you want to take a photo of yourself holding it, tweet @Design_Week #DWAwards21 and we'll share with our Twitter community.

INTRODUCTION