Its impact is demonstrated in every business whose performance has been transformed by design, in every brand that has powered back into our lives on the back of design, in every innovation in public service that has seen quality improved, in every investment in smarter systems and processes, in supply chain impact, in jobs created, in manufacturing plants upgraded.
The DBA Design Effectiveness Awards attract case studies across the breadth of design disciplines and industry sectors. We see dying brands overhauled and turned into super-powers and new products taken from obscurity to household names. These awards demonstrate what is possible when the best business brains and the best design brains come together in a partnership that is focused on delivering tangible business benefit. When that happens, ambitions are realised, briefs are exceeded, targets are overshot, and, more importantly, business transformation is possible.
In order for the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards to officially recognise design that delivers for business, entries undergo a rigorous assessment criteria and are scruitnised by judges from high profile blue chip companies through three key stages. With the introduction this year of a third judging round, which consisted of a panel featuring CEO’s from globally renowned businesses, the coveted Grand Prix trophy was awarded to HM government for their GREAT Britain campaign, designed by Radley Yeldar. The campaign successfully delivered £1.2 billion direct return to the economy, as well as 16% uplift in intention to both invest and visit the UK, whilst procurement of domestic products and services is up 12%.
Other notable Gold winners who were honoured on the night included Diageo’s Johnnie Walker’s Houses initiative for the great impact on brand awareness worldwide through the promotion of Scotch whisky for the luxury market; Virgin’s ‘Voice of our Brand’ service re-design programme overhauled by Engine Service Design, which resulted in impressive engagement levels across customers and staff and BrandOpus’ design of Twinning’s Signature Blends super-premium range which has been a game changer with subsequent international distribution opportunities across 13 markets.
During her speech, Deborah Dawton, Chief Executive of the DBA said:
“These companies know that the closer design gets to the heart of business, the broader and deeper the impact can be. They know that in this age, where there’s more choice, more competition and more awareness, design creates differentiation, inspires customers, drives advocacy, develops loyalty and sustains value. They know that design is competitive advantage.”
Full case studies and images for each winning entry can be found at www.effectivedesign.org.uk
For further details on the Design Effectiveness Awards or the DBA, please contact Janice Dwumfour, Marketing & Communications Manager at Janice.dwumfour@dba.org or on (+44) 207 251 9229
- Awards