(Hong Kong，Jun 6, 2020) Organised by The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association (HKEA) and sponsored by Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards 2020 (HKSDA 2020) has revealed the winners of its three categories in the Corporate Group, namely the “Gifts”, the “Home & Houseware”, and the “Toys & Baby”, as well as that of the Conceptual Group’s “Kick-Start Project Division”. With close to 400 design entries, this year’s Corporate Group sees a 9% year-on-year growth in the number of entries received. Through careful selection by an esteemed judging panel, 75 distinctively creative yet practical local designs have outshone their competitors and been awarded. Aside from opening a gateway for local designers to enter overseas markets, HKSDA offers support to these winning designers in business management, digitalisation and product development in the current challenging economy arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Going forward with such support, these winners will further spread the gospel of Hong Kong design, build brand value and seek opportunities in new markets.
HKSDA 2020’s winning designs were all selected by a panel of esteemed judges including the Chairman of The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association Mr. Benson Pau; renowned Hong Kong designer Mr. Tommy Li; Chairman of Hong Kong Design Centre Prof. Eric Yim; Dean of School of Design at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Prof. Kun-Pyo Lee and more. The entries were judged based on their marketability, functionality, uniqueness, sustainability, technology application plus a number of other criteria.
One of the judges, Chairman of Hong Kong Design Centre Prof. Eric Yim says, “This year’s HKSDA saw much enthusiasm from SMEs across different sectors. Compared to last year, we saw a rising number of entries albeit the current global epidemic and fluctuating economy, proving not only how much enterprises value this award, but also the opportunities it brings them. We’re also glad to see the acknowledgement HKSDA has earned from the Hong Kong design and export industries.”
Another judge, renowned local designer Mr. Tommy Li says, “The entries we’ve received this year are impressive whether in creativity, market potential, aesthetics or creativity. The winners are trend- and market-savvy and have exercised their imagination with technology but still take in into mind the environment and our pursuit for healthy lifestyles.”
The competition is divided into Corporate and Conceptual groups. The first group comprises three categories, namely “Gifts”, “Home & Houseware”, and “Toys & Baby”, while the latter is sub-divided into “Kick-Start Project Division” and “Student Division” (whose winners will be revealed at a later time). Winner of Corporate Group’s “Gifts Category” – Gold and the Green Award, Lexngo Silicone Resealable Reusable Straw stands out from other environmentally friendly straws with an unprecedented design. Users can disassemble the silicone straw for cleaning but also wrap it into a loop for easy carrying. Winner of “Home & Houseware Category” – Gold and the Technology Award Airluna is the world’s first air-purifying lamp. Using patented air-filtration technology PACO, it can illuminate and filter independently; its minimalistic design and innovative concept can surely shine on international stages.
Winner of “Toys & Baby” – Gold and Best of the Year Awards, AquaDabra STEM inspires the little scientists in children by taking them on a STEAM journey with experiments that turn liquids into solids, for example. As for the Kick-Start Division, the Gold-winner MPlus: Headphone with HDNC™ & BT Intercom For Bikers is a noise-cancelling headphone for motorcyclists. Its ergonomically designed for all types of helmets so riders can stay connected even on the road.
Chairman of The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association Mr. Benson Pau says, “To overcome the hardships brought on by this epidemic, HKSDA will continue to support SMEs so they can cultivate more opportunities locally and overseas. It’ll also rise to the challenge of the digital world by helping them become more digitally savvy.”
Since its inception, HKEA has long promoted innovative designs. Award winners can not only build their brands and interact with local design professionals, but also join the Designers Inspiration Trip in Europe to connect with top global designers and business organisations to expand into overseas markets.
Aside from seizing opportunities globally, the award winners also treasure the local support offered under HKSDA. Facing the plague of COVID-19 which brings unprecedented challenges to Hong Kong exports, HKEA will offer a series of supportive measures through HKSDA for award-winning SMEs, including free promotional platforms, digital marketing strategies and more, to help them stand out from their competitors.
About Hong Kong Smart Design Awards
With the growing success and continuous support from CreateSmart Initiative (CSI) of Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards (HKSDA) is a brainchild of The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association (HKEA) and is designed to motivate and encourage more local designers, manufactures and exporters to upgrade and transform their business strategy and achieve the final goal of “Design x Strategy x Technology = Smart Business”. HKSDA recognizes good designs and original brands and uses smart business solutions to create successful cases for local companies to help them transform their business models into more economically sustainable ones. HKSDA aims to nurture design students and talent to become the future beacons of Hong Kong’s exports and manufacturing industries as well as the economy as a whole.
To learn more, please visit the HKSDA website: https://www.sdawards.org.hk/
About The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association
Founded in 1955, The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association (HKEA) is committed to closely liaising with local and overseas trade organisations, safeguarding the interests of Hong Kong export trade and expanding business opportunities for Hong Kong exporters. We endeavor to develop Hong Kong as a trading hub for exporters. Currently, HKEA’s corporate members specialize in diverse areas of export and re-export trade, as well as manufacturing. Since 1975, the association has founded the Toy Fair, the Gifts & Premium Fair, the Houseware Fair and more. Aside from promoting local creativity overseas via The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association Fair, it has been helping local businesses boost their competitive edges through initiatives like the Hong Kong Design Awards and the “Designer in Hong Kong” special exhibitions in spotlight international events to reveal to the world the creativity, originality and quality products Hong Kong has to offer with hopes to eventually boost exports. For more information, please visit: .
About Create Hong Kong
Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) is a dedicated agency set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in June 2009. It is under the Communications and Creative Industries Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and is dedicated to spearheading the development of creative industries in Hong Kong. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community. CreateHK has been sponsoring the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards since 2012 (previously named Hong Kong Smart Gifts Design Awards). Visit Create Hong Kong’s website at: www.createhk.gov.hk.
This press release was sent by Above The Line PR and Communications Company on behalf of The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association.
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