design100 - about

Mission Statement

design100 exists to grow design demand. We celebrate the courage of those who commission, create and consume design. We celebrate those who create and underpin demand for design. We do this so our society can leverage the most effective, proven and understood method to accelerate transformation – design. Our focus is applied design – the place where economics and creative industries intersect. We do this through encouraging involvement by those connected to the design economy. Want to get involved, want to join our community…

design100 provide a platform of award programs across three continents. They have been created to celebrate that most elusive, yet essential ingredient that lift our daily labours above the everyday.

That ingredient is courage; courage to seek further, aim higher, work harder.

Every design100 award program acknowledges that we live in a marketplace where the quality of our design choices should be a mix of sound, commercial understanding and courageous, relevant design.

It’s why we equally acknowledge and award the important role played by both the creator and the person who commissioned the project. Neither can exist without the other.

We celebrate their work and partnerships, opening communication between designers and the marketplace and help provide thought leadership on how design will shape the future.

design100 is a social enterprise, with 20% of programs’ profits returned to the industry through a series of grants that assist in the promotion of design.

Background

Marketplace research conducted from 2007 - 2010 showed that business acumen in the design sector had the opportunity to be enhanced. It suggested that an increase in literacy could encourage broader uptake of design-led commercial outcomes, and that the marketplace would benefit from this development.

It also became evident that a key benefit for designers and their studios was in being able to gain recognition for their work.

The design100 platform is designed to provide broad recognition to emerging and established designers. It will increase the business acumen of design professionals and the design literacy of the general design public, and give a voice to the market and create legacy that is publicly accessible.

Social Enterprise

design100 operates as a social enterprise, This is a movement that has been captured by many throughout all sectors of the Australian Economy. Social Enterprise activity can be found primarily in small communities and larger institutions. These institutes work for more than profit alone; they foster social and environmental innovation and are accountable for their employees, consumers and the communities. 

Social enterprises are organisations that:

• Are led by an economic, social, cultural, or environmental mission consistent with a public or community benefit;
• Trade to fulfill their mission;
• Derive a substantial portion of their income from trade; and
• Reinvest the majority of their profit/surplus in the fulfillment of their mission.

The design100 team