SJM Resorts and the Macau Designers Association (MDA) are collaborating for the second time to present the “Macau Design Award 2023”, aiming to create a platform for local cultural and artistic creators to participate in international exchanges and collaborations.
Submissions from global participants are open until September 15.
Details of the contest were announced during a press conference at the Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP) in Cotai yesterday. With “The Future of Design” as its theme, participants are encouraged to explore future development trends, challenges and opportunities in design, as well as the true meaning and value of the field.
The contest, which is the only international design contest in Macau, was previously known as the Macau Design Biennale, which MDA founded in 1994, and has facilitated exchanges in design trends and values among designers worldwide in the last 30 years.
MDA Chairman Chao Sio Leong told The Macau Post Daily after the press conference that over its 30-year history, the awards have since gone from a regional event to a more international one, noting that the association hopes to draw more international attention to promote Macau design through the contest.
Chao also noted that a lot of large companies used to hire designers from places such as Hong Kong or overseas, with the contest also hoping to show that local designers can take on big jobs.
This year’s contest again features the “Macau Brand Award” and “The Lead of Macau Design” categories, with Chao adding that the purpose of these awards is to raise the idea that there are very good designers in Macau. He further elaborated during his speech that the categories also aim to recognise both the designers and clients behind the works.
Meanwhile, SJM Managing Director Daisy Ho Chiu-fung said in her speech that “SJM is thrilled to once again partner with MDA this year, with the aim of facilitating interaction and exchange between local Macau designers and their international counterparts, as well as promote the prowess of Macau’s local design industry to a global audience.”
Submissions from professional designers and students from different parts of the world are welcome. Judging will be done by nine internationally acclaimed designers.
Contest results are slated to be announced during the award ceremony in January
while an exhibition of selected works will also be held by the organisers.
Registration and details can be found on https://macaudesignaward.com/en/, while enquiries can be made by calling 2843 2814.
Macau Designers Association (MDA) Chairman Chao Sio Leong poses after yesterday’s press conference at Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP) in Cotai. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
