Ranchuan by Apiwat Chitapanya THE WINNERS OF DEMARK AWARD 2021 INCLUDED 98 WORKS FROM 7 CATEGORIES WHICH REFLECT OUR NEW NORMAL WAY OF LIFE AND THE USE OF DESIGN INNOVATION
TEXT: PRATARN TEERATADA
PHOTO COURTESY OF DEMARK AWARD 2021
(For Thai, press here)
Recently, the social media timelines of some of Thailand’s leading designers have been pretty active, and it’s for a good reason. They have been celebrating the win of DEmark Awards 2021, which is reasonable enough considering that there are 98 winners this year. Design Excellence Award (DEmark), was created in 2008, from a joined support of the Office of Export Value Added Promotion under Ministry of Commerce’s Department of International Trade Promotion, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP).
The criteria classify the awards into 7 categories as follows:
Salmon, Moonler Collection by o-d-a
Industrial Process / Industrial Craft
Just like the previous years, the winning projects from this category are always distinctive. The first prize goes to Salmon, the bench design from the brand Moonler Collection which is designed by Jutamas Buranajade and Piti Amraranga from o-d-a. Salmon is made of one tree trunk that was cut only five times. The two pieces are assembled into the seat, and the remaining 8 pieces are put together into the bench’s legs. Masterful artisanal techniques are required for the trunk to be cut vertically at a precise 45-degree angle. This particular detail is pivotal to the piece’s reflection of the material’s authentic, natural beauty and refined craftsmanship, similar to impeccable knife skills of experienced sushi chefs.
DOTS BAMBOO KAYAK by Dots Design Studio
Gift & Decorative Items / Household Items
Like the furniture category, the Gift & Decorative Items / Household Items are one of the product groups that DITP has continually supported; hence resulting in a significant number of works that the judging panel has found interesting. However, this year’s most outstanding designer has to be Dots Design Studio, with Krit Phutpim leading the team, snatching three awards in total, including the Grand Prize, DOTS BAMBOO KAYAK. Just like the name suggests, the lightweight kayak stands out with its aerodynamic shape and the streamlined aesthetics akin to automotive design. Made of bamboo, the kayak is filled to brim with a handmade feel despite being designed for industrial production.
Re – Pleats – Plastic : Pha Khao Ma, DoiTung by Mae Fah Luang’s design team
Creative & Innovation Fashion / Apparel / Jewelry / Textile / etc.
Mae Fah Luang’s design team, led by Dr. Kris Yensudchai, steals the show in this category with the RE campaign, bagging home five awards, with three from the Fashion Category and one each from the Packaging Design and Gift & Decorative Items / Household Items category. Their Re – Pleats – Plastic: Pha Khao Ma design won them the first place of the Fashion category with the reimagined check pattern that combines the graphic elements with environmentally friendly fiber made of recycled PET bottles. Not to mention Doi Tung’s hand-woven design inspired by the style and visuals of Pha Khao Ma (loincloths commonly used by the working class).
Eazy by Hydro sanitary (Thailand)
Home Appliances / Equipment / and Facilities
This category’s winner went to Eazy, a bathtub for the elderly by Hydro sanitary (Thailand), a company under Bathroom Design Group. Just as its name gives away, the design embraces simplicity while the piece itself is easy to transport and can be used within a limited space. To use the tub, users only have to insert the plu and connect the tub to the hot/cold water and drainage system. The design comes with a double lock system with a removable PU cushion designed particularly for users with bedsores.
B.O.Cal Calcium Citrate by Prompt Design
Packaging Design
Somchai Kangwarnjit’s Prompt Design never misses when it comes to design competitions, be there domestic or international ones. B.O.Cal Calcium Citrate, the vitamin supplement container they designed for New Charoen Pharmaceutical, isn’t only outstanding for its aesthetically pleasing appearance. The empty boxes can be arranged into a shape that mimics the anatomy of the human spine’s s-curve, meaningfully offering an additional feature that reflects and communicates about the product for which the container is used.
HUAI by Potch Auacherdkul
Font / Graphic on Surface / Digital Media / Identity Design
Potch Auacherdkul makes his way through the big name designers and brings home the first prize in this category with the font ‘HUAI.’ The design is indicative of the integrated research and materialization that combines Thai handwriting to Latin letters, creating a font that stands out for its friendly yet distinctive design. The font’s nature is realized to accommodate the way people write and to honor the Thai alphabet from which the design originates. Potch Auacherdkul and many of the up-and-coming designers are among the new waves whose next moves are definitely worth following.
Sala Bang Pa-In by Department of ARCHITECTURE Co.
Hotel / Cafe / Retail / Shop / Co- Working Space / Condominium Project
Since the category being reasonably new, there are relatively fewer numbers of submitted works this year. Five projects have been awarded in this category, with Sala Bang Pa-In by Department of ARCHITECTURE Co. receiving the winning title. Read more about the project in our featured story soon.
COFFEE OR TEA? by Dots Design Studio
VICTORY toothbrush by Dots Design Studio
PINTO, Labrador by QUALY
In general, DEmark 2021 still maintains its standing as a symbol of Thailand’s high-quality design competition, especially in regards to the Furniture and Lifestyle category. Entries from Dots Design Studio’s ‘COFFEE OR TEA?’ and VICTORY toothbrush,’ ranging to the Phaka Chair by Ratthee Phaisanchotisiri, Ranchuan by Apiwat Chitapanya, Pallet by Mahasamut International, Stringray Armchair by Pris Consulting, PINTO by Labrador (designed by QUALY), Push Spray by QUALY and (Archi) TECT’S GAMBIT by carpenter, are all intriguing and the stars of this year’s show. The reality is that veteran design studios and designers are still solid competitors that are hard to beat, but we’ve seen some new faces with impressive ideas and fantastic works, making their own way as the next generation of designers. We wish every winner of DEmark 2021 all the best, and for them bring home G Mark and be a part of the force that will take our creative economy to the next of level of recognition in the global design arena.