2015 winners (center) Jose Agustin Ricarte, Gold winner in Architecture category and (2nd from right) Martha Joyce Tomas, Gold winner in the Interior Design category shared their insights and experiences from last year’s competition with their respective mentors 

Leading coatings manufacturer Nippon Paint seeks to spur even more the creative potential of young interior design and architecture talents in the region with the launch of the Asia Young Designer Award (AYDA).

Last July 21,2016, I was invited to the launching of AYDA which was held at the Manila Peninsula. I went there with my friend, Hazelyn Tan. And then we also saw Theressa Asis, whom we first met at a blog event last year. And since last year's winners are both from UST, we also saw two of our former professors there.

THE FOOD

Foooooood! Alright, I might sound so pathetic but seriously, I love eating at events and one of the biggest factors which make an event "fun" for me is food. (hehe).

My new office mates were like, "So how was your event yesterday?" And I replied, "The food was so delicious!" And then that statement was followed by what went through in the event. (Hahaha. Please don't judge.)

The event started at 11am, timely for lunch time. They served us a full coarse meal and yes, everything was delish!

Having started as the Nippon Paint Young Designer Award in 2008 in Malaysia, the pioneering competition encourages innovative design ideas, concepts and solutions from interior design and architecture students on a chosen theme for the year.

It has since evolved to include participants from more countries in the region, and thus has been revitalized and rebranded to reflect its widening reach and its increasing significance to the design scene in Asia.

From its debut with 87 entries solely from Malaysia, as of last year, the competition has grown to over 2,500 entries from 12 different countries, including the Philippines, Singapore, Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, China, Japan, and Hong Kong.

This year, AYDA will be extended to three additional countries, namely Sri Lanka, India and Taiwan.

The competition opened in the Philippines in 2014. Organized by Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, the search has been launched for this year’s Filipino representatives to participate in the grand finals. 

“We are relaunching our design program as the Asia Young Designer Award, which places the competition on a higher echelon of gathering young talent across borders and spurring innovative thinking on how to make life healthier, more convenient and eco-efficient through design,” stated Michael Chung, general manager of Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines.

This year’s competition is focused on the theme “Be Bold. Be Free. Be You.” It seeks out designs that are unconventional, non-conformist, innovative, and with a focus on individuality, according to Chung.

Contestants may submit entries in two categories: Interior Design and Architecture. 

Interior Design entries are ideas that transform everyday spaces into extraordinary places, whether the location is personal, professional, or public. The designs must explore unique opportunities to improve not only the space but the lives of the people who use and move in it. 

Meanwhile, Architecture entries must seek to transform ordinary structures into phenomenal design statements. Wherever the structure may be envisioned—whether in the city or amidst nature—the design has to offer a one-of-a-kind and fresh perspective on solving common problems that face human habitation.

Judges will be evaluating not just the concept behind the design, but its execution and technical quality. 

“We have challenged the youth to observe what is needed in our society, to think beyond convention, and to create corresponding designs that express their distinct mark as tomorrow’s leaders in architecture and interior design,” added Chung.

In the Philippines, the line-up of judges is composed of some of the most talented and well-respected interior design professionals and architects in the country.

The judges for the interior design category are IDr. Marichie Costelo, IDr. Jose Maria Hubilla, IDr. Wilfrid Nicholo Magcase, IDr. Belen Morey, IDr. Michael Pizarro, IDr. Mel Reyes, and IDr. Vincent Louie Tan. 

Meanwhile, the judges for the architecture category are Ar. Nina Bailon Arce, Ar. Consuelo Buencamino, Ar. and IDr. Eduardo Calma, Ar. Jose Ramon Carunungan, Ar. Chona Elvas-Ponce, Ar. Maria Benita Regala, and Ar. Abelardo M. Tolentino, Jr.  

AYDA grand prize winners will receive a P50,000 cash prize and a six-month internship under interior design firm Lor Calma & Partners or architectural firm Aidea, Inc. They will also get a chance to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience in Bali, Indonesia organized by Nippon Paint.

“At Nippon Paint, we are passionate in encouraging the design leaders of tomorrow to create innovations that address crucial needs well beyond expectations,” said Chung. “It is our fervent hope that AYDA would continue to be an inspiration in strengthening creative minds and help propel leaders of change in the local and international design arena.”

For more information and to download an entry kit, visit www.youngdesigneraward.ph. 

AYDA 2016 is supported by the Council of Interior Design Educators (CIDE), the Council of Deans and Heads of Architectural Schools in the Philippines (CODHASP), Lor Calma & Partners, Aidea Inc., the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), and LBC

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