Sydney (Australia) - The 2010 Australian International Design Awards program, endorsed by Icsid, has attracted a record 202 industry entries and a further 98 student entries, representing a 27% increase on 2009.  
 
"If entries in the 2010 Australian International Design Awards are any indication, the industrial design sector has emerged from the global financial crisis in a strong position to experience future growth," said Ms Stephanie Watson, Program Director of the Australian International Design Awards.
 
"We've received more world-first innovations and ground-breaking designs than ever before, indicating companies are investing in design and innovation to gain a much needed competitive edge over their competitors."  
 
"Design and innovation - individually and together - are playing an increasingly important role in successful business strategy and execution," concludes Ms Watson.
 
Now established as one of the world's leading design assessment and promotion bodies, the Australian International Design Awards has attracted entries from the leading designers and innovators of our time. This year, blue chip companies such as Land Rover, Audi, LG Electronics, Samsung, The Swatch Group, Dyson, De'Longhi, Miele, Tupperware, Sunbeam, Breville, GM Holden, Herman Miller and Electrolux are all competing for a prestigious Australian international Design Award.
 
Australian and international design consultancies, global brands, multinationals and start-up entrepreneurs have submitted a diverse range of products with everything from an amphibious aeroplane with folding wings and a set of arm weights scientifically proven to increase the power and strength of an athlete to a futuristic gaming headset that reads brain signals and facial expressions to make a move.  
 
All 300 entries in the 2010 Australian International Design Awards can now be viewed online at www.designawards.com.au
 

Next steps

A number of design practitioners from around the world have been invited to vote online for entries to proceed to the next stage of judging. This First Round Shortlisting is followed by Final Round Assessments involving a more concentrated, multidisciplinary panel of Australian and international experts in relevant design disciplines.  
 
Judges have the opportunity to physically test entries from a usability perspective, and rank the design merits of the each product against a common set of criteria including innovation, visual and emotional appeal, functionality, quality of manufacture, human factors such as ergonomics, semantics and safety, and environmental sustainability.

The results of the 2010 Australian International Design Awards, including the 2010 Australian International Design Award of the Year, will be announced on 4 June 2010 in Sydney.  
 
Accolades up for grabs:  

• Australian International Design Award of the Year - one only
• Australian International Design Award - multiple  
• Australian International Design Mark - multiple  

 
Associated accolades:

• Powerhouse Museum Design Award and Selection  
• Award for Excellence in Sustainable Design  
• Australian Design Award - James Dyson Award for excellence in student design  

 

2010 Timetable

Notification of First Round Shortlist: 22 January 2010  
Final Round Assessments: 22 February - 5 March 2010  
Notification of Finalists: 12 March 2010   
2010 Presentation Night: 4 June 2010 - Sydney
 

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For more information please contact:

Australian International Design Awards
Standards Australia
t: +61 2 9237 6090
e:
w: www.designawards.com.au

About the Australian International Design Awards

The Australian International Design Awards is a division of Standards Australia. Standards Australia is recognised by the Government as Australia's peak Standards body. It coordinates standardisation activities, develops internationally aligned Australian Standards of public benefit and national interest and accredits other Standards Development Organisations. Through the Australian International Design Awards it promotes excellence in design and innovation. 
www.standards.org.au
www.designawards.com.au
www.australiandesign.org