Responsibility, rewarded

A new design award recognises the importance of socially responsible design, in honour of designer and educator Victor J Papanek.

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The Museum of Arts and Design in New York have partnered with the University of Applied Arts Vienna and the Austrian Cultural Forum New York to launch the “Design for the Real World Redux” competition, with Design Indaba as the competition’s media partner.

One outstanding entry in the field of socially responsible design will be awarded the Victor J Papanek Social Design Award, in celebration and commemoration of the University of Applied Art Vienna’s acquisition of Papanek’s visionary archive.

The renowned Austrian-born, American-trained designer’s 1971 book “Design for the Real World” was one of the first to encourage ecologically and socially responsible design practices.

Thus, the competition calls on established, emerging and student designers to submit their work in the conceptual phase, prototype, or production that upholds Papanel’s vision of environmentally and socially responsible design. Papanek’s key concern was that designers must take responsibility for the impact that their creations can have on the quality of life of individuals and societies.

The competition jury comprises a panel of representatives from sponsoring institutions and industry experts, including Stefan Sagmeister and Fiona Raby. The winning entries will be exhibited towards the end of 2011, and a fully illustrated catalogue documenting the competition and finalists.

Competition entries are welcomed. The deadline for entries is 15 June 2011. Visit the Museum of Arts and Design's website for more information.

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