The design sector is a significant contributor to the Victorian economy

98000+

People directly employed in design-related roles

$6.3B+

Annual revenue generated

$400M

In design-related exports

The Awards provide an opportunity for businesses and the community to better understand the role of design in creating functional, safe and efficient, products, services and spaces. They also showcase the depth of design talent in Victoria and the capability and capacity of the Victorian design industry.

Bound by three principles, the Awards seek to:

  • Elevate the value of design and the role of professional designers.
  • Celebrate Victorian-led design.
  • Position Victoria as a design capital.

The Awards recognise and celebrate both the Client / Commissioner of the project as well as the Designer / Design Team behind the project.

Message from the Premier, The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP

For more than 25 years, the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards have recognised and promoted the talent of our best designers right here in Victoria.

Message from the Premier

The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP

Victorians have worked hard to cement our reputation as world-class innovators. We know great design can inspire new ideas, enhance the way we grow as a community, and transform people’s lives.

Entire industries in Victoria are build on good design, IT, architecture, engineering, science, electronics, fashion - and even healthcare.

Good design changes our lives for the better. It makes our buildings and public spaces better places to live, work or play in. It influences what we wear, how we get about in the world, the choices we make - and so much more.

And behind every great design is a smart, capable and talented designer.

That’s why, for more than 25 years, the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards have recognised and promoted the talent of our best designers right here in Victoria.

Our standing as a global design powerhouse is only possible because of the imagination, capability and ambition of those who work in our design sector.

To our inspirational educators, researchers and highly skilled workforce: thank you for everything that you do. I can’t wait to see what you’ll create next.

Highlights of the 2022 Awards

2022 Awards night video and photos

Highlights from the 2022 Awards

Enjoy the highlights of the 2022 Victorian Premier's Design Awards evening.

View images from the 2022 Awards night

Images by Kit Haselden Photography

Highlights of the 2021 Awards

Highlights from the 2021 Awards

2021 Awards night video and photos

Enjoy the highlights of the 2021 Victorian Premier's Design Awards evening.

View images from the 2021 Awards night

Good design is good business

Design has an impact on productivity and business outcomes and plays an important role in helping shape a better environment and society.

According to analysis by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and others, businesses that use design are more innovative, productive, profitable, grow faster and export more than their competitors. Research by the UK Design Council found that for every £1 a business invests in design, it can expect over £20 in increased revenues, over £4 in increased net operating profit, and over £5 in increased exports.


Accolades

Award of the Year

Best in Category

Highly Commended

Finalist

Award of the Year

Entries that demonstrate and exceed all four criteria for Design Process + Design Excellence + Design Innovation + Design Impact will be considered for the highest design accolade in Victoria – the coveted Victorian Premier’s Design Award of the Year. This accolade is awarded to only one project that, in the opinion of the Jury, establishes a new benchmark for design excellence and showcases Victoria’s design and creative culture.

Best in Category

Entries that demonstrate the criteria for Design Excellence + Design Innovation + Design Impact will be considered for a Victorian Premier’s Design Award Best in Category accolade – limited to eight (8) accolades.

Highly Commended

Entries that demonstrate the criteria for Design Excellence + Design Innovation (or other attributes deemed worthy of note by the jury) will be considered for a Victorian Premier’s Design Award Highly Commended accolade – there is no limit to the number of Highly Commended accolades presented each year.

Finalist

Entries that demonstrate the criterion of Design Excellence will be considered for the Victorian Premier’s Design Award Finalist accolade – there is no limit to the number of Finalists presented each year. If in the opinion of the Jury, a project fails to meet this criterion and does not satisfy the basic criteria for good design, it will not proceed for further evaluation.


The Victorian Premier’s Design Awards are administered by Good Design Australia on behalf of the Premier of Victoria.