Design Excellence Reigns at TIFF

During Thailand International Furniture Fair 2010, the Design Excellence Award showcased the lifestyle, furniture & home décor, and industrial product winners from the latest contest. Fashion products and packaging were not on show, but can still be found within this gallery of images highlighting the awards winners at TIFF.

As part of its effort to stimulate potential development of Thai designers, The Office of Product Value Promotion, Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, has successfully continued the “Design Excellence Award (DEmark)” and has invited Thai designers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and exporters to register and submit their design works to participate in the “DEmark Award 2010” competition from now until May 14, 2010.

DEmark’s main objectives are to give recognition to outstanding product design and to stimulate potential development of Thai designers, The Office of Product Value Promotion (OPVP), Department of Export Promotion, has created Demark Award to encourage Thai designers and entrepreneurs to submit their works to participate.

For a third year in a row, this competition has cooperated with The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO) in determining the judging criteria and inviting design experts to join and exchange expertise to leverage this award to be widely accepted in the international arena.

Dr. Netpreeya Choomchaiyo, Director of the Office of Product Value Promotion said DEmark Award project is growing. Last year, 176 design works from 98 companies nationwide were submitted. There were 59 products from 39 companies that won DEmark Award 2009. Among these, 51 products from 34 companies received G-mark award in Japan.

“This year, we expect around 220 design products to participate. We invite expertise and representatives from government and private organizations as well as media to be among judge committee including professional design experts from Japan.” said Dr. Netpreeya.

Product Design categories for “DEmark Award 2010” are divided into 4 groups as follows:

- Lifestyle Products (Gifts & Decorative Items/Furniture/Household Items)

- Fashion Products (Fashion Accessory/Leather Goods/Jewelry/Textile)

- Industrial Products (Home Appliances/Equipment and Facilities for Office/ Etc.)

- Packaging (Food Packaging / Health & Beauty Packaging)

Demark Rule & Regulations

- Product has to be designed by Thai designer or foreign designer who works for Thai company

- Product can be mass-produced in the industrial or industrial craft process

- Product has already been sold in domestic or international market

- Product is a single or set of product

-The Office of Product Value Promotion reserves the right to publish or display all design works and other information submitted to the contest to the public in any form.

The winners will be entitled to join the second round of Good Design Award 2010 (G-Mark) competition in Japan.

Design work can be submitted until May 14, 2010. The judgment process will take place in June. The result announcement and award ceremony will be held in August 2010. For more information, please contact the Office of Product Value Promotion, Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce at Tel. 0-2621-7398. Online application forms can be downloaded from www.demarkaward.net.