HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 6 November 2023 - Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) proudly presents the outstanding laureates of the DFA Awards 2023, an illustrious celebration of design excellence that recognises its enduring impact in Asia. Established by Hong Kong Design Centre in 2003, with Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) as the Lead Sponsor, DFA Awards honours the excellent design projects with impact in Asia, and emphasises the indispensable role of designers and leaders who have made significant contributions to the design profession, education, and society, particularly in Asia. These awards honour luminaries around the world who have significantly shaped the design landscape, as well as emerging talent in Hong Kong. The winners of the three key awards for DFA Awards 2023 are – Kenya HARA, DFA Lifetime Achievement Award (DFA LAA); Victor LO Chung-wing, DFA Design Leadership Award (DFA DLA) and JIANG Qiong Er, DFA World's Outstanding Chinese Designer (DFA WOCD). Prof. Eric YIM, Chairman of HKDC said, "Design has the power to change people's perceptions and, as a result, the world we live in. As the influence of design grows, considering the meaning of design may become a crucial ability for modern people. I'd like to congratulate the winners, they gave us new inspiration and encouragement. I believe that design thinking that is connected to people's hearts and sustainability is not simply the trend of the last few years, but also the way forward for all sectors in the next few decades." DFA Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 (DFA LAA) Kenya HARA, a distinguished Japanese graphic designer, renowned as the founder and director of Hara Design Institute, has undoubtedly made an indelible impact on the realm of communication design. After graduating from Musashino Art University in 1983, Kenya HARA embarked on a path that would redefine the role of design in our everyday lives. Mr. HARA's influential contribution to MUJI, as a member of its Advisory Board since 2002, has been of paramount importance. His focus on the concept of 'Emptiness,' a cornerstone of MUJI's minimalist design philosophy rooted in Zen principles, has significantly influenced the brand's aesthetic. Throughout his illustrious career, Kenya HARA has embraced a wide spectrum of design projects, showcasing his versatility and creativity. Notable among them are his remarkable works on the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Nagano Winter Olympic Games and Expo 2005. Besides, Kenya HARA has also made significant literary contributions to the field. His books, including 'Designing Design' and 'White' have been translated into numerous languages and achieved widespread global recognition, further solidifying HARA's influence and impact. The DFA Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 celebrates Kenya HARA's enduring impact on design philosophy, his talent for making the ordinary extraordinary, inspiring individuals to find wisdom in simplicity, fostering shared human experience, promoting understanding and sensory peace. DFA Design Leadership Award 2023 (DFA DLA) Victor Lo has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of design and business in Hong Kong and beyond. As the leader of Gold Peak Technology Group, his vision and commitment have made Gold Peak a leader in batteries and electronics industries worldwide. Lo's commitment to advancing innovation and technology, arts and culture is equally commendable. He has played a pivotal role in establishing and shaping the transformation of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks and several iconic cultural and creative institutions in Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Design Centre, Hotel Icon, School of Design of Poly U, Hong Kong Design Institute, PMQ and M+. His influence has not only enriched Hong Kong's cultural and creative realm but has also elevated understanding of the strategic power of design for value creation and opened doors for designers to gain global recognition. The DFA Design Leadership Award 2023 acknowledges the remarkable journey of Victor LO Chung-wing and celebrates his profound impact on design, culture, and commerce, reaffirming his status as a visionary design-minded leader, a champion of innovation and a captain of the industry. DFA World's Outstanding Chinese Designer 2023 (DFA WOCD) JIANG Qiong Er, a native of Shanghai, has exemplified the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures in her work. She began her design journey at Tongji University and furthered her expertise in furniture and interior design at the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. In 2009, she established SHANG XIA in partnership with Hermès Group upon her return to China. JIANG's design philosophy centres on...