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The APSDA Awards 2023 submission deadline has been extended to 17th August, allowing creatives and visionaries ample time to partake in this prestigious regional event. In an exclusive interview, Prof. Keat Ong, APSDA President and chief judge of the award unveils the motivations behind this extension and delves into the deeper meaning of the APSDA Awards. |
Can you elaborate on the significance of the APSDA Awards and how the award came to symbolise design excellence in the Asia-Pacific region?
APSDA is the gathering of 14 national-level interior design associations from Asia and Oceania. Since its inception in 1987, the alliance/ association has since strengthened its position to be the platform to not only promote and elevate the interior design profession as a whole, but also to recognise the best of the industry. The APSDA Awards programme is the answer to the association’s increased purpose and role in the design community in the region.
The inaugural APSDA Awards was launched back in 2021 during the height of the pandemic. The reception by the community was amazing with many prominent industry leaders lauding this as the answer to recognise the best in the region.
There are several existing awards that are offered in the region by various organisations but the APSDA Awards programme is the only one organised by the regional body that represents the profession as a whole and is non-partisan.
One thing to highlight here is that the jury panel is assembled based on individual merits, not nationality. We aspire to bring out the best interior design in the Asia Pacific through this biannual awards programme.
Entries for the APSDA Awards 2023 has been extended from 11 August to 17 August. Can you share with us the motivations behind this extension?
This is due to overwhelming requests from participants as well as the design community to allow more time for submission. In view that we are looking for the very best in the region, the jury panel resolves to leave no stone unturned, ensuring that no gem of a submission goes unnoticed.
The APSDA Awards inspires designers to excel. In light of the extension, what advice would you offer to participants who might be refining their submissions?
For project submissions, focus on showcasing both the macro and micro aspects of the project. The former is important to allow judges to have an overall feel of the project, allowing them to “enter” the space right away. Meanwhile, the micro aspects are the wonderful details that you may want to highlight to the judges to tie back to one’s overall concept. Thus, avoid collages and multiple pictures in a single frame as it not only is distracting, but will also create a situation of information overload for the jury.
For the Personality Award, we want the wonderful people who have done great projects and/ or contributed to the industry in their own ways to come forth – you know who you are! Nominations are welcomed as well. However, the award will only take submissions and nominations from individuals who are from or based in the Asia and Oceania regions.
The APSDA Awards serve as a platform for connecting designers and design communities across the region. Beyond recognition, how do you think participating designers benefit from partaking in this award?
Many past laureates, already celebrated within their local enclaves, will see their recognition grow globally as the APSDA Awards serve as an amplifier of their creative excellence. Of course, design excellence is not just about recognition alone, it is also about setting a certain benchmark for the industry, motivating future generations, and pushing the boundaries of what the profession can offer for the betterment of mankind.
Asia Pacific is touted to maintain its position through the next decade as the fastest growing region in the world. As substantial investment funds continue to flow into the region, the regional built environment industry is certainly at the centre of attention. The APSDA Awards will aspire to be the point of reference to showcase the best in the interior design scene.
To learn more about APSDA as well as the awards, please visit the Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association website http://apsda.org/.
