Judging Process & Criteria for DesignDaily Awards 2025
The DesignDaily Awards 2025 are committed to a transparent, fair, and rigorous judging process to celebrate excellence in design and architecture. Our multi-stage evaluation ensures that entries are assessed through diverse perspectives, combining editorial expertise, public engagement, and professional jury insights. Below, we outline each stage of the judging process, along with the specific criteria and scoring metrics used to evaluate submissions.
Review Stage Overview
The judging process unfolds over three distinct rounds, spanning October to December 2025, culminating in the announcement of winners. Entries are evaluated based on five core criteria—creativity, innovation, functionality, aesthetic appeal, and impact—each scored on a scale of 1 to 10, with a maximum total of 50 points per stage.
Stage 1: Preliminary Screening (October 1 – October 31)
The first round is conducted by the DesignDaily Editorial Office, a team of experienced design professionals who perform a preliminary screening of all submissions. This stage ensures that entries meet eligibility requirements and demonstrate a baseline of quality.
Criteria & Scoring:
Creativity (1-10 points): Does the project showcase original ideas or unique approaches?
Innovation (1-10 points): Does it introduce new methods, technologies, or solutions?
Functionality (1-10 points): Is the design practical and effective for its intended purpose?
Aesthetic Appeal (1-10 points): Does the project exhibit visual harmony and beauty?
Impact (1-10 points): Does it address societal, environmental, or cultural needs?
Entries scoring at least 30 out of 50 points advance to the next round. In Late October, the Longlists are announced, highlighting projects that have passed this initial evaluation.
Stage 2: Public Voting (November 1 – November 30)
The second round engages our global audience through public voting to select the Popular Vote Winners. Longlisted entries are showcased on our platform, allowing the design community and public to vote. This stage emphasizes community resonance and broad appeal.
Criteria & Scoring:
Creativity (1-10 points): Does the project inspire or captivate the audience?
Innovation (1-10 points): Does it stand out as forward-thinking to the public?
Functionality (1-10 points): Does it appear usable and well-designed?
Aesthetic Appeal (1-10 points): Is it visually striking to a general audience?
Impact (1-10 points): Does it resonate emotionally or socially with voters?
Public votes are tallied as a percentage of total votes, weighted to contribute 50% to the overall score, with the Editorial Office’s Stage 1 score making up the other 50%. The top-scoring projects in each category are named Popular Vote Winners, and the Shortlists are announced in Late November.
Stage 3: Jury Evaluation (December 1 – December 31)
The final round involves our esteemed Jury Members—expanded in 2025 to include more industry experts, academics, and past winners—who evaluate the shortlisted entries to select the Jury Winners. This stage focuses on professional excellence and nuanced design insights.
Criteria & Scoring:
Creativity (1-10 points): Does the project push creative boundaries in its field?
Innovation (1-10 points): Does it advance design practices or methodologies?
Functionality (1-10 points): Does it excel in usability and technical execution?
Aesthetic Appeal (1-10 points): Does it demonstrate superior design aesthetics?
Impact (1-10 points): Does it make a meaningful contribution to design or society?
The jury’s scores are averaged to determine the final tally, with projects scoring above 40 out of 50 points considered for top honors. The Results are announced in Late December, celebrating both Jury Winners and Popular Vote Winners.
Commitment to Fairness
Our balanced approach ensures that creativity, technical merit, and public resonance are all valued. By combining editorial, public, and expert evaluations, the DesignDaily Awards 2025 uphold the highest standards of fairness and integrity in recognizing design excellence.