In this week's interview with 2021 SBID Awards winner for the Bathroom & Sanitaryware Product category, RAK Ceramics, the designer Patrick Norguet talks about the industry trends' influence on the designing process and shares his predictions on the future bathroom design direction.
SBID Awards Category: Bathroom & Sanitaryware
Practice: RAK Ceramics
Entry: RAK Valet
It is always important to measure the reaction to a product or a collection and the industry recognition that the Award demonstrates is an important indicator of the likely success of the product once it is available commercially. For me as a designer, it is always pleasant to receive congratulations for my work and that of my team.
As with any first collaboration I spent a lot of time trying to understand a brand, its origin, its strategy, its culture, and its production capacity. RAK- Valet is the result of this research. Beyond the design, the success of a product is also about timing. RAK-Valet brings together all the elements, thus making the collection a sweet blend of elegance and modernity.
The word trend is contradictory to a designer’s work. My job is to understand the evolution that is needed related to a particular company or industrial sector. RAK Ceramics came to me as they were looking to increase the perceived value of their products, with a unique collection that has an international cultural approach. I think we succeeded in this challenge with our first collaboration.
To answer your question, which is often asked of me, my inspiration comes from my work. As a designer as well as an industrialist, I like to offer products that make sense, because there are too many objects already surrounding us. My inspiration therefore comes from a conscious and unconscious set of things that nourish my creativity according to what is needed.
It is an interesting subject because the bathroom for several years has become much more of a living space and a room in its entirety.
The notion of comfort and well-being is at the heart of the needs of our Western society. Tomorrow may be different. The density of the population has an impact on us and our living spaces, so it is therefore also necessary to think and design spaces that are more compact, but that offer quality. Bathroom design also needs to address societal challenges, like the consumption of energy and water, maintaining comfort while bringing meaning to our actions.
It would be terrible for me to settle for one award alone. To design and offer products correctly, it is important for an industrialist to establish a collaboration that lasts over time. I hope that this first collection designed for RAK Ceramics will lead to a continued relationship and to win another SBID Award in the future. In the meantime, I am focused on many projects ahead of the Milan show in April 2022.
My advice would be that it is a difficult job, which requires a lot of work and skill, but it is also a job that offers a lot of freedom. So never give up and work hard.
Questions answered by Patrick Norguet, RAK-VALET Collection Designer, RAK Ceramics.
RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics’ brands in the world. Specialising in ceramic and gres porcelain wall and floor tiles and sanitaryware we produce 123 million square meters of tilesand5 million pieces of sanitaryware per year at our 22 state-of-the-art plants across the United Arab Emirates, India and Bangladesh.
If you missed last week's Interview with the category Residential Apartment Over £1M winner IAIA - Idea Art Interior Architects, click here to read it.
In this week's interview with 2021 SBID Awards winner for the Kitchen Product Design category, Abode, Design Manager Paul Illingworth answers questions on the company's approach to projects and the technical features and functionality of their award-winning tap filter - Swich.
SBID Awards Category: Kitchen Product
Practice: Abode
Entry: Swich
As a premium manufacturer, we are proud of our products and want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to understand their features and benefits, so entering the SBID International Design Awards is a great way to raise the profile of our brand on a global stage. To be recognised by SBID and its panel of leading industry experts is a great achievement for Abode, acknowledging Swich for its outstanding examples of technical innovation, aesthetic creativity and fit-for-purpose functionality. There is something truly special in knowing that the talents of every member of our team, from product developers to marketing and sales, are recognised and celebrated by the international design community and the entire Abode family.
For me, I think the versatility and ease of use of Abode Swich makes this product an industry game changer for the modern home. It’s a revolutionary design solution that will transform a new or existing kitchen tap into a filtered water tap that delivers a constant supply of crystal clear filtered water! The exclusive and patented Swich water filter system is a discreet yet ultra-luxe device, which is easy to use and install, either retro-fit in an existing kitchen or add to a new kitchen design. Swich works in conjunction with a normal kitchen mixer tap to improve the overall taste, appearance and quality of your drinking water without compromising on style. For the first time, our customers are not restricted to the style of tap they can have in their kitchen and now, they can enjoy fresh filtered tap water while removing the need for a countertop water purifier or bottled water, which we all know is harmful to the environment.
We are strong believers in the power of feedback, so we are in constant contact with our network of retailers up and down the country to ensure that we are developing the very best products with the right functionality. We are highly creative with a strong ‘can do’ attitude and believe in taking care of every member of the Abode family, which is reflected in our high level of customer service and our development of hero product lines with full marketing support.
Our new product development team track lifestyle trends worldwide, as well as focus on the UK market in order to create a concept that seized key consumer concerns with a simple, failsafe solution – using the philosophy of ‘If you can dream it, we can do it’. With that in mind, we wanted to tick the boxes of reducing waste, saving space, enhancing cooking alongside boosting home hygiene as the open-plan kitchen absorbs many of the functions of the living and dining area. Like a Swiss army knife that combines multiple functions in a single unit, we wanted something which could be universal, minimal and super-easy to use. This is why we decided to make Swich available in four high fashion finishes – Brushed Brass, Matt Black, Brushed Nickel and Chrome – simply turn the Round or Square control handle to indicate the type of water supply you wish to channel through the tap. Providing immediate access to both the domestic water supply and Abode-safe water, via the Swich filter cartridge, customers can enjoy clear refreshing results, every time!
We are celebrating 20 years in business in 2022 and are eagerly preparing for KBB 2022 with new products and innovations to introduce to the market. We are investing heavily in every aspect of our business as we want to be in an excellent position for the next 20 years onwards.
Always keep your portfolio up to date, take pride in your work and never be afraid to ask questions. There is no such thing as a silly question and you never know where the answer might take you in terms of inspiration. It is so important to feed your imagination so make sure you take time out to enjoy pursuits you are passionate about and be curious – look at innovations and trends in other industries to keep developing your design ideas and stay abreast of current affairs to anticipate future client and consumer needs. My approach to design has certainly become more subtle over the years and I think that as one matures you start to gather a wider appreciation for the design likes and dislikes of others and these automatically filter into your work, whereas I think the younger version of myself, designed more selfishly. I still probably get the greatest joys from solving annoying or fiddly design problems with the simplest solutions, these are the daily successes - in between the big product launches.
Questions answered by Paul Illingworth, Design Manager, Abode.
Established in 2002, Abode has a team with extensive knowledge of sinks, taps and the kitchen & bathroom industry. Abode is part of the Norcros plc group of companies, a leading supplier of high quality and innovative kitchen and bathroom products.
If you missed last week's Interview with the Lighting category winner II BY IV DESIGN, click here to read it.
In this week's interview with 2021 SBID Awards winner for the Lighting Design category, REPUBLIC OF II BY IV partners, Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook answer questions on the winning experience, the creative process behind designing the Boga Collection, and what's in store for the company's future!
The internationally renowned interior design practice, II BY IV DESIGN was founded in 1990 by Dan and Keith - both dreamed of a creative firm that was deeply rooted in design and guided by a passion for constant innovation. "Continually travelling the world, we seek out art, architecture, fashion, theatre, food and culture to fuel our imaginations, while inspiring globally celebrated designs."
SBID Awards Category: Lighting
Practice: REPUBLIC OF II BY IV
Entry: Boga Collection
The SBID Awards are regarded as one of the most prestigious accolades in the interior design industry representing talent and design excellence across all corners of the industry.
Being named a finalist for a SBID Award is a notable achievement but being a category winner has made our studio tremendously excited and thrilled. We are truly honoured to receive this recognition, especially considering the products of all the other finalists.
The benefits of receiving an SBID are vast but most notably the acknowledgement and exposure within the international design community. It gives immense credibility to our product to win a world class award.
The simplicity of the design. It is truly a study in form and shape. It’s elegant and refined. The purity of the design comes from a simple line. Our design team didn’t want to overcomplicate it. Sometimes less is more and it’s important to keep it simple.
Having said that, the design is only as strong as those who manufacture it. So, we celebrate hollis + morris’ true craftmanship and their team for fabricating this product. It’s a true partnership and we share this great accolade with them.
Our team wanted to evoke emotion, we hope everyone who sees the fixture is inspired and curious by the design.
Boga, which takes its origins from the Old English word “bow” was inspired by the wonders of how wood can be transformed. The bow in archery is so powerful and we wanted to emulate that with a lighting fixture.
Inspired by narrow natural wood material, the Boga Collection pendants maximize the surface area available to emit light, delivering glow with absolutely no shadowing. The substantive solid wood frame supports its elongated scale and lends to its striking yet whimsical presence. Customizable, and dimmable from cool to warm tone, with wood finishes offered in primarily natural ash, walnut and black stain, the Boga Collection is an elegant complement to any residential, hospitality or commercial interior.
As for bringing this concept to life, we had to ensure to was structurally sound. So, we 3D printed small samples then a full-size model once we had our design perfected. Each pendant is milled out of one natural wood piece using 5-axis CNC technology to follow the natural curve of the wood grain. The design teams focused on creating a pendant that embodies a natural wood grain finish that flows into the piece with intentional joinery resulting in a pristine and clean aesthetic.
First and foremost, it must be able to be fabricated. You can’t create a super complex design that will only make it to the prototype stage. Also, you must keep in mind finances. The cost of fabrication directly leads to retail price. We keep in mind fabrication in order for it to be affordable or what we like to call ‘affordable luxury’. We wanted this piece to have a mass market appeal with a high-end look.
The materiality is a huge consideration as well. For all our projects, we factor in the environmental aspects. Minimizing our carbon footprint is very important to our studio so we ensure it is locally sourced and fabricated.
Our background of over 30 years in interiors definitely influences and contributes to how we approach the products we create. We think about how specifiers and the public can use it in their spaces. Ensuring the product can have as many applications as possible.
After all, light is so very crucial to a space, without lighting there is no design.
We are always planning our next steps at REPUBLIC of II BY IV. We have more lighting lines being developed with local and international manufactures, working with existing, well-known brands as well as completely new brands. We are also launching a brand-new wallcovering line.
Our studio has a lot planned for 2022 so be sure to follow us to stay up-to-date! @republicofiibyiv
This is such a great question and many thoughts come to mind but the one that sticks out the most is, dare to be yourself. Authenticity is what lasts in this industry. Don’t just follow the trend, start the trend.
It’s imperative to have your own point of view on design and always push the envelope. Be willing to take risks and dare to be different. You need to stand out in this business.
Focus on materials that do not harm the environment and don’t just design for the sake of designing. Always design with a solution in mind. Add your clever take to the design and be mindful of the craft. Celebrate as much as possible and look for inspiration everywhere.
Questions answered by Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook, Partners of II BY IV DESIGN and REPUBLIC of II BY IV, proud members of SBID for over a decade.
Established by Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook and credited with countless awards and esteemed publications, II BY IV DESIGN is distinguished by a balanced approach that captures the essence of each client’s vision. From concept to execution the entire team believes in delivering the highest level of design excellence.
Today the SBID Awards has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious interior design Awards in the global design calendar. It represents outstanding achievements, top quality design services and fascinating creativity in producing cutting-edge event experiences.
By representing all aspects of the interior design industry across Interior Design, Product and Fit Out on its inclusive and international stage, the SBID Awards offers excellent exposure for your work and designs, provides unique networking opportunities, and drives professional standards across the industry!
Haven’t completed your submission, or are still considering if you should enter the SBID Awards this year? Here are the top 5 reasons you should!
Success in the SBID Awards programme represents a significant achievement within the field of interior design, recognised as sign of design excellence among peers, clients and the press. The programme provides a global platform for showcasing your design talents to international audiences across the design profession. Featuring your company, projects or products on the SBID Awards website and social media as a Finalist (or better yet, a Winner!) offers valuable exposure to increase your brand awareness, promote your work and amplify your online presence!
The SBID Awards introduces an exciting new panel of expert judges to join its’ impressive and international jury, so each year presents a unique opportunity to showcase your work and innovative designs directly to top-tier industry professionals on the judging panel! Discover more about the diverse panel of judges who are set to evaluate the Interior Design & Fit Out categories here, and explore the esteemed judges for Product Design categories, here.
The three-tier judging process ensures that only the best proceed to the next level - with each entry considered fairly and independently for technical content and creative merit, regardless of the budget! The public vote also sees 225,000 unique voters – so it's a great way to publicise your best work!
Winning only has value if you have truly earned it! The SBID Awards has been praised for its ethics and transparency, achieving a GOLD Standard Awards Trust Mark by the Independent Awards Standards Council. All entry information is listed on the website so it’s clear from the start what is involved - and there are no hidden fees in order to progress so entrants can't simply buy their way to the top! This means you can enter with the confidence that only the most talented designs, impressive projects and innovative products will go all the way (not the entrants with the deepest pockets!).
The SBID Awards is open to any design professional from interior designers, architects, property developers and decorators, to contractors, fit-out specialists, manufacturers, suppliers and product designers. Companies of any size are eligible to enter. Whether an interior design veteran or a recent graduate, all entrants have a fair and equal chance of winning! As a global competition there are no geographical limitations, entrants and projects can be based anywhere in the world, welcoming entries from all backgrounds and budgets by keeping entry costs low!
In the 12 years since the SBID Awards first launched, it has received 3000+ incredible entries by 1000+ companies from 85+ countries across the globe - and still growing! Entering the Awards provides the opportunity to become part of the international design community and connect with new audiences on a global scale at our annual Awards ceremony and supporting networking events.
Just being shortlisted as a Finalist for an SBID Award can bring your business substantial benefits, worldwide industry recognition and extensive PR opportunities.
Click here to discover how entering awards can enhance your business!
The SBID Awards programme is designed to recognise, reward and celebrate the profession of interior design from the interior designer’s projects and the products they specify, to the specialist contractors that install the final fit out.
If you’re a designer, product manufacturer or contractor, click here to find out more.
Standard Rate Entries close on Monday 31 May 2021!
SBID Accredited members also receive exclusive entry discounts.
Regarded as one the most prestigious accolades for interior design, the highly anticipated winners of this year’s SBID Awards have been revealed! For the first time in 10 years, the category winners of the SBID International Design Awards were announced publicly online, alongside the inaugural SBID Product Design Awards winners in a joint celebration of interior design excellence. Championing the exceptional designers of interiors and the innovative products that go in them!
Scroll down to discover this year's incredible SBID award-winning interior products from around the world, showcasing the industry's best in the interior design sector.
Northstone Contemporary Terrazzo for The Fine Lines by Barbieri
The collection was born from a union of knowledge in the terrazzo technique and design by Northstone and the Artisan Tile & Stone Designer, Giovanni Barbieri. Through combined expertise, ‘The Fine Lines’ strikes the balance between crafting a handmade, artisan tile collection and achieving premium performance.
Hoda Lasheen Interior Design for Crafted by Nature
The Crafted by Nature collection of home accessories is inspired by the defects found in natural Aserus trees. Rather than treating those flaws, they elevated them; enhancing them with gold leaves to emphasize the material’s imperfect beauty and highlight the art that nature produced.
Aquabella for Smart Quiz
The Smart Quiz shower tray represents 25 years of innovative creations which blend into a unique finish formed by different textures set beneath geometric patterns. It results in a surface with an appearance that has never been seen before, featuring three high-definition finishes created by Acquabella; Beton, Zero and Ethnic.
Giulini G. Rubinetteria for Ego
Ego, a tap as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside, creates a sinuous line that combines body and spout in a harmonious design. An eco-friendly thought that takes shape with the use of advanced technology, machinery and last but not least, the supply of energy through solar panels.
The Boathouse Studio for WOW Front Door
Creating a grand new entrance for a riverside property during a major refurbishment, the stained glass was designed and made by Jackie Callingham at her Boathouse Studio, with bespoke door carved by Colin Mantripp at Lillyfee Woodcarving Studio Ltd.
Garrett Leather for Garrett Wovens
Using the finest raw materials to create Garrett Wovens®, this elegant collection is 100% vegetable tanned, providing firm leather that gives the weave a structural integrity which is not possible with standard upholstery leather.
Tsar Carpets UK for Saltwater
Inspiration for the collection was drawn from a beach stroll at sunset, peaking an intense curiosity to see if details could be translated into functional textiles. The design translates organic sand, sky and coral formations into textiles using a variety of construction techniques.
Scavolini for BoxLife
BoxLife is designed to accommodate a variety of needs; a timely requirement of today’s modern living spaces which call for limitless adaptability from their discerning inhabitants. BoxLife is a system that adapts to many applications for transforming and storing away, as need be.
Maison Arabella for Chair Objet
For Maison Arabella, furniture should energise an environment in the same way a painting or sculpture does. In Chair Objet, each detail has been carefully considered to create a sleek, minimalist silhouette that is contrasted with the soft curves of the upholstery, evoking understated elegance.
Bisque for Balmoral
Designed with a timeless aesthetic in mind, Bisque’s Balmoral radiator is a highly efficient, stylish and versatile addition to any bathroom. Without compromising on performance or output, the Victorian-style radiator is suitable for both vintage-inspired interiors, or statement industrial spaces.
Armac Martin for MIX
MIX by Armac Martin is an innovative collection of interchangeable luxury cabinet hardware that gives you more control over the finished design. Made in the heart of England from the finest solid brass, the contemporary pieces are a must for those seeking a truly personalised hardware look.
Quooker UK for Quooker Flex with CUBE
As the original 100-degree boiling water tap brand on the market, Quooker Flex offers both form and function. Equipped with a flexible pull-out hose for hot, cold and filtered water, the Flex makes it easy to reach and rinse the sink or any awkward kitchen objects.
Robert Majkut Design for Whaletone the Piano - Grand version
Whaletone Grand is a bespoke musical instrument and is part of piano collection designed by Robert Majkut. Being a unique combination of an original design and advanced technology, it caters for the taste of both design lovers, and professional musicians.
Tigermoth Lighting for Fold Linear Chandelier
Fold Linear Chandelier produces a linear array of folded brass shades, each one made from a single piece of hand-grained folded brass. Individually, the shades present a striking geometric shape. Together, they take on an organic form.
CASUSGRILL for CasusGrill - the Eco Friendly Single-Use Grill
CasusGrill is a world patented redesign and green transformation of the aluminium disposable single-use grill. It is only made of sustainable materials such as cardboard, natural bamboo, lava stones and bamboo charcoal briquettes.
Sheng Tai Brassware for JUSTIME Lucky 7 Basin and Faucet Combination
The Lucky 7 Basin and Faucet Combination was inspired by the concept of growing seeds. As the fountainhead of plants, each budding seed is the symbol of hope and vitality. The faucet is designed like a growing stalk bursting through the earth with a succinct pillared shape and simplified lines.
Icon Connect for Icon Control App
The Icon Control App’s unique Control interface is based on a simple, easy to use “No Homepage” approach - every control application is easy to find on every screen, with an elegant and simple user interface which provides speed and accuracy.
Graham & Brown for Adeline Paint in Resistance Finish
Launched as Graham & Brown’s hero hue, Adeline is a deep rich bottle green colour channelling the healing properties of nature, allowing you to create a peaceful and natural setting. Like all hues in the Graham & Brown collection, Adeline is water-based which means it is low odour and has a lower VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) level than any oil-based paints.
Click here to discover the 2020 SBID Award winners for interior design!
Visit sbidawards.com to find out more.
Set to celebrate design excellence for not only the designers of interiors, but also the products that go in them, the SBID Awards now includes the newly launched SBID Product Design Awards, alongside the firmly-established SBID International Design Awards, with 17 diverse interior categories to enter in each programme. By representing all aspects of the interior design industry on an inclusive and international stage, the SBID Awards offers excellent exposure for designs, provides unique networking opportunities, and drives professional standards across the industry.
The deadline to enter is fast approaching with just over a week to go until the SBID Awards officially closes for 2020! Haven’t yet completed your entry, or are still considering why you should be entering the Awards this year? With design talent hailing from almost 50 countries worldwide, a record number of entries received year on year and a staggering 225,000 unique public votes, the Awards program is proud to celebrate the industry’s finest products and interior designs worldwide.
But if that's not quite enough and you still need more reasons to enter this year's SBID Awards, we're sharing the top 5 reasons to submit your entry before it's too late!
The Awards programme provides the perfect platform for showing the world who you are and showcasing your designs to an international audience, with features on the SBID Awards website and social media pages offering invaluable exposure for your brand and your projects! Not only can it give your own marketing a digital boost, but success in the programme presents a whole host of great PR opportunities to take advantage of!
The SBID Awards three-tier judging procedure ensures that only the best projects reach the next level! All entries are assessed by a technical panel of experts and a judging panel of high-profile figures in the creative industry to ensure each project is considered fairly and independently for its technical content and creative achievement, regardless of the budget! The final tier is the online public vote, receiving 225,000 unique votes – it's a great way to show off your best work!
Winning only has value if you earned it! Many competitions reel entrants in before hitting them with hidden costs in order to progress. Unlike them, not every SBID Awards entry is awarded a prize and there are no hidden fees, so entrants can't just buy their way to the top! There is just one Overall Winner and 17 Category Winners.
Achieving a GOLD Standard Awards Trust Mark for ethics and transparency, our T&Cs are transparent so you’ll never be asked to pay for extras. All information is on the website so it’s clear from the start what is involved. This means you can enter with the confidence that only the most talented will go all the way (not the entrants with the deepest pockets!).
The SBID Awards welcome entries from all backgrounds and budgets by keeping entry costs low! SBID Accredited members also receive exclusive entry discounts. This year, the Awards introduced new residential design categories differentiated by price point and property type, so the size or scale of your projects or practice is not a barrier to success! We know it’s the combination of small and large organisations that enriches the interior design industry - and that’s why the SBID Awards strive to celebrate the real depth and breadth of the profession.
The SBID Awards have grown in reach and reputation around the world since its launch in 2009, receiving entries from almost 50 countries worldwide. Entering the Awards presents an opportunity to become part of our international design community and connect with new audiences on a global scale at our annual Awards ceremony and networking events.
Even if you don’t clinch the coveted ‘Winner’ trophy, just being shortlisted for an award can still bring your business substantial benefits. Click here to discover the essential ways that awards can enhance your business!
The SBID Awards programme is designed to recognise, reward and celebrate the profession of interior design. If you’re an interior designer or product manufacturer, click here to find out more. Entries are open until 5pm BST on Friday 14 August.
Achieving industry recognition through prestigious honours like awards can be extremely beneficial for business. Not only can it generate awareness, increase brand exposure and of course, boost employee morale in a celebration of their hard work and success, awards are a great way to differentiate your brand, product or service from the competition! Independent acknowledgement of a company’s skills, value or competence within your sector also offers additional reassurances and credibility for potential clients and customers.
Even if you don’t clinch the coveted ‘Winner’ trophy on the night, just being shortlisted for an award can still bring your business substantial benefits. With this in mind, we’re sharing 5 essential ways that awards can enhance your business!
Put your brand in the spotlight! Association with relevant, industry-specific awards that add value to your brand offering can raise your business profile and provide a host of marketing and PR opportunities, so the chance to publicise, and ultimately capitalise, on your achievements within an award programme (whether a winner or a finalist) should not be overlooked! Utilising the promotion of your involvement before, during and after the ceremony through your marketing channels is a cost-effective way to increase brand awareness, share your company’s success and become a real marketing asset. And that doesn’t even include the additional exposure you would gain from the event organiser!
Awards are designed to endorse a company’s calibre of skill and success in a particular field, making them a key indicator of trust-worthiness. Entering and winning an award therefore demonstrates to your customers that your business is operating at the highest level within your profession, acting as a powerful selling point for potential prospects (or perhaps reinforcing their reasons for doing business with you in the first place!).
As a result, this can develop brand loyalty and improve client retention, as customers are often inclined to stay with businesses who are succeeding at what they do – as well as give them more excuses to tell their friends about you. And we all know how valuable word of mouth is as an effective marketing tool!
Using the awards branding on your website and in your marketing materials is another way you’ll be able to showcase these credentials to your target audience.
Partaking in awards is a public way of acknowledging the hard work and achievements of your employees, giving your team members an additional sense of appreciation, purpose and motivation in their work, as well as a stronger desire and confidence to continue to perform for your company. Attending the awards ceremony also offers a great chance to reward your staff by celebrating together as a team – who doesn’t love a chance to get dressed up for a fancy three-course meal and rub shoulders with top tier professionals in your industry?
Achieving an award also validates your employees work as a direct contributor to wider company success which can also generate company pride, increase work satisfaction and can play a positive role in future recruitment too by enticing new talent who want to work for successful, award-winning companies.
Serving as an excellent platform to wine and dine with the best of the best within your profession, award ceremonies provide the perfect opportunity to network with key players in your industry so you can make new industry connections, bond with potential business partners, reach new customers, and build better relationships with your peers. Winning an award goes one step further in recognising the value and expertise you bring to your sector in front of this captive audience, meaning your peers will look more favourably on your business and you will gain a deeper level of credibility and respect within your industry as a whole.
Most awards judging panels consist of distinguished industry experts, so entering them also presents a unique opportunity to put your business in front of specialist stakeholders, industry-leaders and influential experts in your field.
Whether you are a small or large company, awards offer the ability to stand side-by-side and compete against some of the biggest names in your professional pool, allowing you to take stock of your achievements in comparison to your peers and benchmark your work against the industry – this will help to see how you measure up against your competitors and refine your business goals and aspirations.
And of course, if you’re successful in becoming an award-winning business, it is a surefire way to differentiate your brand and stand out from the competition with that all-important, industry-recognised seal of approval, giving you an esteemed third-party endorsement from an independent body.
While entering awards can bring a host of promotional benefits for your brand, enhance industry positioning, and increase credibility - it's important to know which awards you should be entering! So before jumping in with both feet, do your research!
Are they a credible organisation? Do they have industry recognition? Do they really understand and represent your industry sector? And finally, do the previous winners embody what you want to be known for? Why win a vanity trophy when you could collect a prize that really resonates in your industry!
Look out for hidden fees in the application process! Some Awards charge successful entrants extra fees for exposure - some even require the winner to pay for their own award! Attending the ceremony can be a caveat of ‘winning’ too. If this is the case, the awards are likely to be given to the highest bidder so you know it's not really about outstanding achievement, excellence or creative merit...
designer and president of Karim Rashid Inc.
Visionary and prolific, Karim is one of the most unique voices in design today. With more than 4000 designs in production, over 300 awards to his name, and client work in over 40 countries, Karim’s ability to transcend typology continues to make him a force among designers of his generation. His award-winning designs include democratic objects such as the ubiquitous Garbo waste can and Oh! Chair for Umbra, interiors for Morimoto restaurant, Philadelphia and Semiramis hotel, Athens, and exhibitions for Corian and Pepsi. Karim has collaborated with clients to create democratic design for Method and Dirt Devil, furniture for Artemide and Magis, brand identity for Citibank and Hyundai, high-tech products for LaCie and Samsung, and luxury goods for Veuve Clicquot and Swarovski, to name a few. Karim’s work is featured in 20 permanent collections and he exhibits art in galleries worldwide. Karim is a perennial winner of the Red Dot award, Chicago Athenaeum Good Design award, Interior Design Best of Year Award, and IDSA Industrial Design Excellence Award. Karim is a frequent guest lecturer at universities and conferences, globally disseminating the importance of design in everyday life.
Karim Rashid | NIENKAMPER, Heartbeat
What excites you the most about the use of artificial intelligence in product design?
I welcome the crossing of artificial and human intelligence. I love evolution, I'm looking forward to the day when we're 50% synthetic and artificial, there's something obsessive, and passionate about us becoming technological beings. I believe that technology is nature since we created it and we are nature and it is a masterplan that we will become seamlessly robotic. Right now, we have robotic technologies that can customize and differentiate production objects (creating one-off using robotic production methods), granting us personalization for anyone and everyone with great accessibility and low cost. Our high-tech objects are outside the body but in a short time they will be inside too. But seriously I will get an implant soon in my hand so that I can open up all my locks and doors in my life without keys.
Karim Rashid | RELAX DESIGN, Pebble Collection
Karim Rashid | RELAX DESIGN, Duo Collection
Karim Rashid | RELAX DESIGN, Meta-Collection
How does democratized design enhance people’s wellness?
Ever since I was a child, I wondered why there couldn't be a more democratic design that everyone could enjoy. Manufacturers can make good business from design. I have had several agendas for 20 years. Firstly is to create democratic objects and to democratize design. Secondly is to disseminate design culture to a larger audience. Thirdly is to make design more human. My aesthetic is very human, and I think it translates well to anything from furniture to a building. Design does change our everyday lives, our commodity, and our behaviours.
Karim Rashid | TONELLI, Tropikal Mirror
How do you stay on top of the latest technologies, material inventions and innovative processes to know what is possible and how far your imagination can fly when you create innovative products?
My design practice is based on my accumulative experiences, years of projects, all the books I have read, all my travels, all the diverse factories I have visited, etc. Working with so many clients gives me insight into so many technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and materials. In this way I can cross pollinate ideas, materials, behaviours, aesthetics, and language from one typology to the other.
Karim Rashid | Boconcept, Chelsea Collection
What would be your dream project if you had complete freedom with budget, location, and time?
I would create hotels in every city I travel. I would like to design a chain of organic restaurants and coffee shops, low-income housing, art galleries, a museum and more humanitarian projects that can help save the earth. And I would build myself an organic home with no straight lines. I love Pierre Cardin's Bubble House (Palais Bulles). I was inspired by his fashion and product design from very early on. The space is so soft, curved, organic and conceptual. Our surroundings should engage technology, visuals, textures, lots of colour, as well as meet all the needs that are intrinsic to living a simpler less cluttered but more sensual envelopment.
Karim is one of the prestigious experts invited to join the extraordinary jury for the SBID Product Design Awards, alongside other renowned professionals across industrial and interior design, brand development, architecture, educational research and forward-thinking enterprise.
Click here to view the full judging panel.
The SBID Product Design Awards 2020 is open for entries. Entries close Friday 14 August!
To find out more about entering, visit www.sbidproductdesignawards.com
founder and creative director, studio LOST
Constantina is the founder of studio LOST, a brand-new design practice focusing on high-end, hospitality, residential and boutique commercial projects in collaboration with the industry’s most respected global brands. Having led the European arm of international hospitality giant HBA for many years, Constantina has worked on award-winning hotel projects around the globe, also creating also an array of bespoke products and furniture lines for her clients along the way.
Camellia Hotel, Opatija, Croatia | Image credit: ©Sanja Bistricic
What challenges and changes to our value systems do you foresee as a result of the ‘great pause’?
I have been thinking our world was due an overhaul, though now is a very vulnerable time for many people. A positive aspect is that technology has enabled many of us to have a window open to the world that lets us keep on working. The technological revolution of the last decades had not significantly changed the typical office setting and routines until now. I think this ‘pause’ will make shifts in the workplace model happen faster. It has shown that an organisation doesn’t need employees physically in the office Monday to Friday for a certain set of hours all the time. From that point of view, I am certain we will all be working more flexibly going forward.
We have also come to appreciate all the basic daily rituals that we may have been too busy to enjoy before: like cooking at home, eating together, appreciating nature, or going for a walk.
SL01 Pendants for Dutch brand Frandsen | Project Image credit: Frandsen Project
Which innovative people or companies should the design industry be paying attention to?
There are many great initiatives happening, and mainly from smaller independent studios. I really admire the young French fashion designer, Marine Serre. She makes innovative ‘future wear’, ordering quantities of existing fabric like denim and regenerating it into new, upcycled creations. Her sourcing is 50% sustainable while creating pieces with a strong, fashion-forward identity.
I am a great believer that we should support the small local businesses around us. When our local restaurants and bars are able to open, it is our spending power that will enable them to keep trading. Every choice we make when spending is voting for the kind of world we want to have.
Amadria Park Hotel Capital, Zagreb | Image credit: ©Sanja Bistricic
While many companies have paused plans while in lockdown, many others have continued.
From our side for example, I pressed ahead to launch studio LOST and kept every commitment I had made previously, like commissioning a branding agency to work with us on the studio’s identity and other consultants to complete all the necessary early stages of work. We stuck to the plan and I am very grateful for the warm reception we have enjoyed from the industry since our launch.
If we want a world rich with different voices of designers, artisans, craftsmen, and independent businesses, it is our support that enables them to survive and flourish.
Piramal Aranya Residences Mumbai | Image credit: ©Hashim Badani
How will luxury design evolve in an era of more thoughtful consumption?
The pause has enabled us to question what luxury truly is. You could consider that luxury, during the lockdown, is the ability to move freely and enjoy a meal with friends! Whereas before that was something we took for granted.
The way forward will hopefully be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. I hope we will think about where things come from, their production, and how their disposal affects the environment.
I am interested in repurposing things and not making everything in a project from scratch: buying vintage, repurposing furniture, infusing an interiors scheme with antiques, and appreciating the craftsmanship of something created a hundred years ago but now finding a new use for it.
In terms of interior design, there will be a lot more upgrades happening in the next few months in the residential sector. Hotels will take a little longer to recover. As for goods, people hopefully will be buying less, but better. Staying in has definitely made me see we actually need a lot less than we realised.
What inspires you both professionally and personally?
More than anything, people and their expressions inspire me: my family; everyone I get to enjoy nice conversations with, exchange ideas and dream – writers; painters; fellow designers and thinkers; and so many more. It’s interesting to look at the world through their eyes and learn from our exchanges.
Constantina is one of the prestigious experts invited to join the extraordinary jury for the SBID Product Design Awards, alongside other renowned professionals across industrial and interior design, brand development, architecture, educational research and forward-thinking enterprise. Click here to view the full judging panel.
The SBID Product Design Awards 2020 is open for entries.
Entries close Friday 14 August!
founder and design director, David Chang Design Associates International
David Chang was honoured as SBID International Design Awards’ Master of Design in 2018. He is a registered professional member of NCIDQ, ASID, SBID and IIDA, and has more than 25 years of experience in hospitality and high-end residential interior design and management experiences in North America and Asia. In 1998, David Chang founded David Chang Design Associates International (DCDA) in Vancouver, Canada, and then expanded to China’s market in 2006, establishing firms in Guangzhou, Beijing and Taipei to provide exclusive upscale design services on landmark projects for local top developers. Deeply influenced by Chinese and Western cultures, David Chang emphasises attention to culture and history as sources of inspiration, thereby creating vitality and rich artistic essence for each project. Moreover, David Chang emphasises interior spaces’ comfort, functionality and the creation of soul in each design. Based on these philosophies, David Chang’s innovative works have won numerous design awards in the UK, Italy, Canada, and China.
F Bistronome Restaurant | DCDA
How has China begun to rebound from COVID-19? How is your studio coping, and are projects that went on hold coming back to life?
After nearly three months of diligent social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, and staying at home, the daily number of new COVID-19 infection has come to an abrupt halt. All walks of life are up and running again. During the outbreak, our studio shut down entirely from late January ‘til late February. To minimise the economic damage caused by this pandemic, we reopened at the beginning of March with employees working three metres apart. Every team member wore masks at all times, and their temperatures were checked upon arrival, at lunch time, and before leaving work. Hand sanitiser was also provided three times per day during office hours. Staff were divided into two groups. In March, the first group worked Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while the second group worked Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then in April the groups switched days. All projects were on hold during these three months. By the beginning of May, projects that has been placed on hold indefinitely began to resurrect in the catastrophic aftermath. Signs of intriguing new projects are also springing up in the market, but that being said, supply is still far more than demand.
Beijing Shimao Loong Palace Type B Villa Luxury Show Villa | DCDA
Who is one of today’s cultural influencers, and how will their perspective influence your future?
There are many cultural influencers across the globe, and one who inspires me the most is Bill Gates. He and his wife Melinda established a foundation whose mission is ensuring children and young people survive and thrive with better healthcare and education so they can rise out of poverty, empowering the poorest people - especially women and girls - to transform their futures, while saving lives by providing adequate medical care to those with greatest needs. In the field of luxury interior design, all our clients have enough wealth to afford our services and products. In other words, we only design for the rich and famous. Inspired by the mission of the Gates Foundation, I see several approaches we could take in our future designs. We can donate our design skills to not-for-profit organisations, charity groups, or foundations. We can also donate a portion of the annual revenue generated from our designs and services to these charity groups.
What’s the best way to design for sustainability?
No matter how sensibly and proficiently we design and build, it’s not possible to 100% eliminate negative environmental impacts. But we can surely minimize them to get as close as possible to zero. The best way to do this is incorporating renewable resources as much as we can during the design and build processes, and then planning how they can be easily recycled or composted once their usefulness has expired.
Poly Garden Sales Center | DCDA
What is the one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
All design-related professions belong to the field of applied arts, whether interior design, architecture, graphic design, or product design. Applied Arts are all the creative disciplines that apply design, science, and decoration to objects or spaces in order to make them aesthetically pleasing and functionally practical. This means we can’t just focus on how we feel and what we believe an object or space should be. The most important lesson I’ve learned in my career is that we must also try to feel and understand the perspectives, psychological needs, and functional demands of end-users.
David is one of the prestigious experts invited to join the extraordinary jury for the SBID Product Design Awards, alongside other renowned professionals across industrial and interior design, brand development, architecture, educational research and forward-thinking enterprise. Click here to view the full judging panel.
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