[Image: Opening Ceremony of Win by Design, Guangzhou Design Week, China, 2007. Photo by Ready Zhang]
Above: Opening Ceremony of Win by Design, Guangzhou Design Week, China, 2007. Photo by Ready Zhang.
Endorsement
Each year, Icograda endorses a select group of activities internationally that advance our objective to promote the value of design. Endorsed events demonstrate that they enhance the standards of design, professional practice and ethics.

For design awards, an Icograda endorsement is recognition that it has been organised to meet international best practice guidelines – including jury composition, evaluation criteria and intellectual property protection.

Endorsement benefits and support

Qualifying events receive international promotion and organisational support, as well as the rights to use the 'endorsed by Icograda' mark for the applicable period of activity.

Promotional support

  • use of Icograda’s brandmark in publication and promotion;
  • international news release to Icograda’s media partners;
  • profile page and link on icograda.org
  • inclusion in special section of weekly Icograda newsletter;
  • highlight in Icograda’s online Calendar of Events;
  • option to award an Icograda Excellence Award;

Organisational support

  • recommendation and introduction to qualified jurors on request;
  • recommendation and introduction to lecturers and speakers on request.

Customised services

  • consultation and support
  • event coordination/supervision

Endorsement categories

Endorsements may be granted to design award competitions, exhibitions and conferences.  In applying for an Icograda endorsement, the organiser agrees to follow Icograda's policies and best practices.

1. Design award competitions

Design award competitions differ from competitions for contract work.
Award competitions are aimed at evaluating and recognising existing work. The purpose is to illustrate and define current benchmarks, and to highlight leading social, cultural and economic trends. Download application

2. Exhibitions

Professional design exhibitions differ from award competitions. Award competitions aim to evaluate and recognise existing work through assignment of awards and prizes, whereas design exhibitions may or may not include award schemes. Download application

3. Conferences

A conference can be local, regional or international cultural and business event, offering professional development and networking opportunities for designers, entrepreneurs, faculty, researchers, design and visual communication students, journalists, as well as anyone interested in the impact of design and communication on our society, economy and culture. Download application

Exclusions
Icograda does not endorse competitions for design services that are speculative in nature, often called "free pitching."

‘Speculative practices’ for our purposes are defined as: communication design work (including documented consultation), created by professional communication designers and organisations, provided for free or at nominal fee, often in competition with peers and often as a means to solicit new business.

In harmony with Icograda’s Model code of professional conduct for designers, Icograda recommends that all professional designers avoid engaging in such practices. 

Evaluation criteria

Endorsement applications are evaluated against Icograda's policies and best practices.

Organisers are advised to review the relevant documents in advance of applying for endorsement.

How to apply

A completed application form must be submitted for each endorsement request. Recurring events must submit an application form each time.

Completed applications are reviewed by the Secretariat for compliance with Icograda's policies and best practices. Recommendations and questions are referred to the Icograda Executive Board for approval.

There is no application deadline.


Fees

Each endorsement is CAD $1200.00.

Icograda Member organisations and participants in the International Design Media Network (IDMN) receive one free Icograda endorsement per year.

The endorsement fee must be paid in full prior to promotional benefits being implemented by Icograda.


For more information, please contact:

Sergio Figueredo
Icograda Secretarait
E:
benefits
[Image: event endorsement brochure]
Click on the image to download Icograda's endorsement brochure.