From a pool of 139 nominations, the 13 awarded designers and designs represent a wide range of disciplines and project types. Sports shoes are celebrated alongside a park, a public art installation, a HDB apartment interior, and a creative initiative that re-uses damaged books.

Hanson Ho (photo: Caleb Ming / Surround)

Ong Siew May Distinguished Lecture Series identity design and poster by H55 (photo: Caleb Ming / Surround)

Hanson Ho (Creative Director, H55), Tan Cheng Siong (Principal, Archurban Architects Planners), Voon Wong (Director, VW+BS), and Yang Yeo (Chief Creative Officer, JWT Shanghai) are the recipients of the ‘Designer of the Year’ accolade in 2012.

19 Sunset Place by ip:li architects (photo: Jeremy San)

Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park by Atelier Dreiseitl Asia (photo: Atelier Dreiseitl)

The ‘Design of the Year’ recipients are 19 Sunset Place (ip:li architects), Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park (Atelier Dreiseitl Asia), Building as Body (kwodrent with Zarch Collabratives), Dell All-in-One Desktop PC Family (Dell Global B.V. – Singapore Branch, and Dell Austin Design Centre), Martin No. 38 (Kerry Hill Architects), Pelé Sports Trinity 3E (Pelé Sports Innovation Team), Spotted Nyonya Collection (Hans Tan Studio), The Browsing Copy Project (A Beautiful Design), and Wonder Box (Spacedge Designs).

Dell All-in-One Desktop PC Family by Dell Global B.V. – Singapore Branch, and Dell Austin Design Centre (photo by Dell Global B.V. – Singapore Branch)

Wonder Box by Spacedge Designs (photo: Spacedge Designs)

The Browsing Copy Project by A Beautiful Design (photo: John Nursalim)

“The diversity and quality of these 13 recipients’ works underscore a growing embrace of good design across industries in Singapore,” says Robert Tomlin, Chairman of the President’s Design Award 2012 Steering Committee and Chairman of the DesignSingapore Council. “This year’s awards will undoubtedly enhance the nation’s growing reputation as a global city for design,” he says.

Martin No. 38 by Kerry Hill Architects (photo: Albert Lim K.S.)

Pelé Sports Trinity 3E by Pelé Sports Innovation Team (photos: Pelé Sports)

Spotted Nyonya Collection (platter dish detail) by Hans Tan Studio (photo: Hans Tan Studio)

The 16-strong jury contained individuals from Singapore and abroad, hailing from studios of various design disciplines as well as academia.

The jury cited graphic designer Hanson Ho as “one of the most articulate and intelligent designers practising today,” adding that he “brings style, class, economy, purity and method to his work that few of his contemporaries can achieve.”

Tan Cheng Siong (photo: Archurban)

Pandan Valley (Singapore’s first condominium) by Archurban Architects Planners (photo: Archurban)

In the case of pioneering architect Tan Cheng Siong, the jury recognised “courage and perseverance in creating architectural innovations in spite of the challenges of changing times. His unwavering pursuit of architectural excellence makes him a role model for younger generations.”

Voon Wong

Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Upper Class Bar by VW+BS (photo: Virgin Atlantic Airlines)

Multi-disciplinary designer Voon Wong was celebrated for the deep thought process demonstrated by his work. In particular, the jury was “impressed by Voon’s venture into the difficult area of aircraft interiors, where the complexities of weight reduction, structure, and space utilisation in an environment that presents complex functional needs, is a notorious challenge for designers.”

Yang Yeo

Tangled colon (lobster) poster by JWT Shanghai for GNC (photo: JWT Shanghai)

Yang Yeo was recognised by the jurors as “an important regional voice for advertising” and for “strategic thinking that not many other creative directors deliver these days.”

The 13 awards were presented on the evening of 4 December 2012 by President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Istana. Congratulations to all recipients.

The President’s Design Award 2012 exhibition will be held at the URA Centre from 6 December 2012 to 15 February 2013. Subsequent exhibition venues will include Changi City Point and the Old Hill Street Police Station. A travelling satellite exhibition will appear at Woodlands Regional Library, the Central Public Library, and the HDB Hub from 6 December 2012 to 31 March 2013.

Top image: Building as a Body by kwodrent in collaboration with Zarch Collaboratives. Photo: Jeremy San

President’s Design Award
designsingapore.org/pda