Top FAQs about the 2025 Better Design Award

Top FAQs about the 2025 Better Design Award

To support participants in successfully completing their submissions, the Better Design Award Organizing Committee has published key FAQs. For other queries, kindly contact us and register through the official designated channels. We look forward to your participation!

1. Is there an entry fee to participate in the competition?

No. The 2025 Better Design Award (BDA) does not charge any registration fees. However, participants are responsible for all related expenses such as logistics, insurance, customs clearance, travel, etc.

2. How do I choose the appropriate competition category?

This year’s competition features two main categories: Product Design and Design for Industry. Product Design includes three sub-groups: Industrial Cornerstone, Better Life, Future Design. The special competition is AI & Robotics.

The Product Design category targets both products and conceptual designs. If you are the designer or rights holder of the work, you may submit under this category. During submission, please select the relevant entry track based on your work's target audience: TOB/TOG (Industrial Cornerstone), TOC (Better Life), Concept Works (Future Design) - for designs not mass-produced or commercially launched.

Design for Industry is intended for system-level solutions that drive industrial innovation and upgrading, including new service models and fundamental design research projects.

3. Can conceptual designs be submitted?

Yes. The Future Design group is specifically designated for conceptual design works that have not yet been mass-produced or entered the market (as of the submission date).

4. Can the same project be submitted to multiple categories or sub-groups? Can previously awarded works participate?

No. Each work may only be submitted to one category under the Product Design track (except for the AI & Robotics Special Competition). The same entry cannot be resubmitted if it has participated in the 1st edition of BDA. However, projects that meet current submission criteria are still eligible, even if they have won other awards.

5. Is there a limit to the number of entries? For a series of products, should they be submitted together or separately?

There is no limit to the number of entries per participant (individual or organization). If the overall design concept is to be emphasized, the series can be submitted as one entry. If the unique features of each product in the series are to be highlighted, they should be submitted separately. In that case, a complete and accurate description in both Chinese and English must be provided for each individual item.

6.Can only the designer submit the entry?

No. As long as the participant has legal authorization from the rights holder, the applicant can be the designer, a design team, a design company, or a client who commissioned the design. However, each project can only be submitted by one authorized party.

7.Do the submission materials need to be translated into English?
Yes. Since the BDA jury includes international judges, accurate English translations are essential. Participants must fill out the bilingual forms as required.

8. Is it mandatory to upload photos or videos of the entry?

Images are mandatory fields, while videos are optional. For the Product Design category, product images must be uploaded. For the Design for Industry category, submit system diagrams, infographics, planning schematics, business model charts, business canvas visuals, etc., or alternatively upload 2-3 images of your project’s most successful products. To ensure the judges can fully assess your entry, we recommend uploading materials according to the submission page requirements.

9.What should I do if I encounter issues uploading images or videos?
Please check the file format and size requirements first. Try refreshing the page or using a different browser (Chrome is recommended). If issues persist, contact the organizing committee via email at service@bdaward.com.

10. What key materials are required for Design for Industry entries?
Design for Industry entries should include essential materials such as basic project information, a project overview, a project report and project display images. Optional materials such as videos, and intellectual property documents can also be submitted. The project description should clearly demonstrate how design plays a key role in driving industrial innovation and upgrading, with a focus on its originality, exemplary value, and industrial impact.

11. What if I find an error in the application after submission?
Once the application is submitted, it cannot be modified. Please double-check all information before final submission. If you only save but do not submit, you may continue to edit and modify your application during the submission period.

12. Are the team members listed in the application the ones who will appear on the award certificate?
Yes. The team member information provided during registration will be used for the award certificate if the project wins. The names will appear in the order in which they are added (maximum of 5 people). Once submitted, this information cannot be changed, so please ensure it is accurate.

1. What do “Affiliated Party” and “Design Party” refer to? What are their roles?
   Both the Affiliated Party and Design Party can be either individuals or organizations. If the project wins, this information will be included on the certificate and used in exhibitions, media promotion, and public communications. Only the rightful Design Party or Affiliated Party (i.e., the holder of the relevant intellectual property rights) is eligible to register. Duplicate registration by multiple parties is not allowed.

1. Is physical submission of the project required? If so, when?
   No physical submission is required for the preliminary review, which is conducted online from August 19 to 24. If your project is shortlisted for the second round, physical submission will be necessary accordingly.

Please prepare a physical product or model in advance. For software or service systems without a physical form, a complete video demonstrating its functionality must be submitted (conceptual works should include a fully functional prototype, or an appearance model, or a video explaining the full creative concept).

Shortlisted entries will be announced after the preliminary review. Details including the shipping address, timeline, and specific packaging requirements will be outlined in the official BDA Entry Delivery Guidelines, which will be released one month prior to the second review. Late submissions will be considered a withdrawal from the second round.

15.Will participant information be kept confidential?
Yes. All information submitted by non-winning participants will be kept confidential. For winning entries, the information may be published on the official website and media platforms for promotional purposes (certain sensitive information will remain confidential as indicated in the submission system).
If a winner requires confidentiality, they may upload a BDA Confidentiality Application via the system. The organizing committee will refrain from public exhibition and media dissemination, except for essential competition procedures such as judging, award announcements, and inclusion in the BDA Yearbook.

16.What are the intellectual property (IP) requirements for entries?
For Product Design entries, the participant must be the rightful design party or affiliated party (i.e., IP holder) and must ensure that there are no existing IP disputes related to the submitted work (including unresolved or previously settled disputes).
For Design for Industry entries, IP documentation is not mandatory, but participants are welcome to submit supporting materials if available.