The Lighthouse, Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture, has launched new awards to recognise the design industry.

The Design Impact Award will show the huge contribution that design and innovation makes to the way we live and work.
 
There will be three categories in the new Lighthouse competition – the Design Impact Award; the Buyer’s Award and the Public Award.
 
The design sector in Scotland employs about 4,700 people and contributes £160m in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy. The fashion and textiles sector in Scotland employs 7,000 people and contributes £280m in GVA *. 
 
The new awards focus on work which is completed, has found a buyer, or is in use, so the judges can evaluate the benefits that a design or its process can have not just on the economy, but also society, the environment and culture.
 
Councillor Liz Cameron, Executive Member for Jobs and the Economy, at Glasgow City Council, said:
“Scotland’s design sector has a reputation for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. These are vital elements in helping to grow Glasgow and Scotland’s economy and support job creation.
 
“I am delighted to lend our support to these awards which highlights the important contribution design makes. I look forward to seeing the designs which are submitted for judging.”
 
Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Development, Creative Scotland, said:
”Good design links ideas and innovation, and shapes them for people and customers.  Creative Scotland is recognising the value of design through these awards and how it can improve both the quality of people’s lives, and help organisations be more effective in delivering products and services. “
 
Ian Elder, Manager of The Lighthouse, Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture, said:
“I hope that the Design Impact Award will help business and the public appreciate the value that design could have in establishing Scotland as a talent and knowledge led economy.  The other exciting part of the award is that we have created an internationally unique opportunity for the winner to contribute to the programme of a national design centre like The Lighthouse. I am already looking forward to working with them.”
 
The winning design must do one or more of the following - be innovative; challenge conventions; define and solve a significant problem and/or demonstrate clear user benefits. It will be the task of the panel to weigh the impact a design has had on products, services or spaces and select the winner.
 
As the awards are about design impact there will also be a Buyer’s Award to celebrate those who invest in the benefits that design can bring.
 
An integral part of the awards process will be an exhibition at The Lighthouse. This will create the opportunity for the impact of design to be seen by the widest possible audience.  It will also give time for the public to cast their votes for which design they believe has had the most significant Impact.
 
All three awards - the Design Impact Award, the Buyer’s Award and the Public Award - will be announced at the same time.
 
The winner of the Design Impact Award will receive a prize of £5,000 and be invited to become The Lighthouse Design Associate. This is a unique opportunity for the winner to contribute to the programme of Scotland’s Design and Architectural Centre for a year. 
 
The main judging panel will assess the impact the design has made and will decide on the winner for Design Impact and the Buyer’s awards. Visitors to the exhibition will determine the winner of the Public Award.
 
Mariella Frostrup, the radio and television presenter, will chair the judging panel for the Design Impact Awards. The panel will also include Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Development, Creative Scotland; Philip Long, Director V&A at Dundee; and Kerr Robertson, Development and Regeneration Services, Glasgow City Council.