AYDA Awards: Nurturing the Next Generation of Design Talents

For over a decade, the AYDA Awards has been providing a platform for young architects and interior design students to hone their skills and showcase their talents. Launched in 2008, it has grown in reach and stature, becoming Asia's premier design awards, recognised for its ability to bring together the community of creative talents from different parts of the world.

AYDA Awards is aligned with Nippon Paint’s broader corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives that falls under the company's global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillars of Education, Empowerment and Engagement. As part of its inclusive business approach, Nippon Paint aims to create tangible social impact in communities by "Colouring Lives" in countries where they operate and AYDA Awards helps to achieve this by investing in areas that face socio-economic challenges.

The platform aims to nurture budding architects and designers to design responsibly and sustainably, creating a better world through the power of design. Over the years, AYDA Awards has impacted more than 50,000 young and talented designers from different walks of life, providing various opportunities to engage with key figures in the design industry. Participants are exposed to first-hand industry knowledge and mentorship as well as learning from their fellow peers from across borders, establishing a close-knit design community of creative talents from different regions.?

Since its inception 16 years ago, AYDA Awards has set its footprint in 19 countries and regions, garnering the collaboration and involvement of more than 1,300 education institutions. The programme has evolved over time, reflecting the changing trends and needs of the design industry. As the platform grew, it led to the establishment of the Gennosuke Obata Fellowship Fund, in partnership with Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design (Harvard GSD). This fund accorded talents in Asia with financial assistance as well as the opportunity to attend and experience education and training at Harvard GSD. Additionally, the international grand title winner will also be able to experience, in person in Boston, the Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design’s ‘Design Discovery Program’.??

Leveraging on its extensive community reach, students from different parts of the world and backgrounds are given the opportunity to showcase their respective innovative projects that address various social issues globally. The dynamics ultimately foster innovation and creativity, allowing designers to challenge themselves to design solutions that are impactful and beneficial to communities. Here are a few picks from around the world.