With the 2019 Design Awards, the Brandenburg Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy recognized outstanding achievements in the field of design for the eleventh time. The goal was to highlight the capabilities of Brandenburg’s design industry and raise awareness of design as a driver of innovation—with conceptual, communicative, and organizational implementation provided by UVA.
The task:
On behalf of the ministry, UVA was responsible for the comprehensive planning, organization, and execution of the 2018 Design Conference and the 2019 Design Award. This included developing a contemporary event format, defining the competition categories and evaluation criteria, managing the jury and participants, and handling the logistics and content for the exhibition of the nominated projects.
Implementation:
Communication with the target audiences took place via a dedicated website with an online application portal, digital informational materials, print materials, newsletters, and a targeted social media campaign. The UVA also coordinated media relations with over 80 specialized and regional media outlets and built a strong network of partners—including the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences, the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, media:net berlinbrandenburg, the HPI School of Design Thinking, and many others. In close collaboration with the UVA, seven short films were produced to showcase the award winners, impressively highlighting the winning projects.
The result:
The awards ceremony took place on June 11, 2019, at the House of Brandenburg-Prussian History in Potsdam. Twenty-one projects were nominated, and 13 outstanding works were honored in five competition categories. The event drew approximately 120 guests and featured musical performances. The following day, June 12, the design conference provided a platform for exchange, discussion, and networking among creatives, companies, and institutions. The exhibition of the nominated entries was presented in the foyer of the venue alongside the awards ceremony and combined posters and digital formats with physical exhibits wherever possible.
The strong response, extensive media coverage, and positive feedback from participants confirm the project’s success. The 2019 Brandenburg Design Award set new standards for the professional integration of design, business, and social relevance. UVA specializes in the professional execution of such awards—from strategic planning to effective public visibility.
