About DOTY

Designer Of The Year
Awards

CEO FOREWORD

“It is an honour to present the Designer of the Year (DOTY) Awards for the 12th year as we grow from strength to strength. Design is the new currency that enhances a product; beautifies a home, building or resort; adds value to jewellery and fashion; increases attractions in supercars and yachts; as well as elevates status in watches and designer bags. Design engages with our senses and evokes a sense of confidence, fun, enjoyment, appreciation and inspiration in everything we do and every decision we make. Therefore, DOTY aspires to discover outstandingly talented designers and to honour their work with a token of appreciation for their achievements. DOTY sets the benchmark of excellence in design and continues to champion good designs in the architecture and interior industry.”

“The alternative to good design is always bad design. There is no such thing as no design.”

Alvin Chang, Founder and CEO of ACGMEDIA.

ABOUT DOTY

The Designer of the Year (DOTY) Awards is a prestigious annual event celebrating the remarkable works by exceptional Malaysian and international designers in the design industry – as well as the brilliance in ingenuity, creativity, innovation and workmanship of these designers themselves. DOTY not only grants recognition to the designers but provides them an established platform to showcase their stellar creations as a means of cementing their contributions to the advancement of the design industry, especially in Malaysia.  

This pioneering design competition is continually organised in collaboration with Designer Concept and Commercial Concept – two interior design magazines published by ACG Media which highlight the country’s latest and stupendous residential, showhouse and commercial properties – for 12 years and counting. 

As always, the Asia’s Most Prestigious Design Award and Asia’s Most Influential Designer Award remain the most highly coveted accolades; the former recognises the most innovative, high-quality designs in the competitive regional market while the latter honours the elite international designers who have conceived superior innovations, advocated for sustainability and played an influential role in this demanding industry. 

The Building Transformation Recognition Award, recognising the noble initiatives taken in building restoration and transformation of an existing building as an effort towards sustainability, and the Women Empowering Designer Award, honouring women’s dedication to excellence and leadership in innovation within the traditionally male-dominated design industry, are the most recently launched special categories to contend for. Similarly, the distinguished Tri-Star Achievement Award is a special accolade that celebrates the achievements of first-class designers who have been awarded a DOTY for 3 years in a row. Matter of fact, the terms “Tri” and “Star” directly translate to “Three” and “Excellence” to automatically indicate the significance of the award.

Apart from the Rising Star Award that shines a spotlight on up-and-coming designers, the Best Design award – further divided into Best Residential Design, Best Commercial Design and Best Showhouse Design – is classified under the main award categories. Considering the results for the Best Residential Design segment were extremely close among several competitors in 2021, DOTY also saw the introduction of the Merit Residential Design Award to highlight these awardees’ excellent designs. 

In summation, the DOTY Awards embody the ultimate degree of prominence yearned by any and all designers across the board.

Award Categories

Apart from granting recognition to the talented designers, DOTY provides them an established platform to showcase their stellar creations as a means of cementing their contributions to the advancement of the design industry, especially in Malaysia. The numerous award categories listed below not only demonstrate the wide range of diversity that exists within the field of design but also offer the opportunity for each designer to truly highlight their achievements in the most transparent form.

Main Categories

BEST RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

This award is presented to the finest designers featured in Designer Concept and Commercial Concept who have succeeded in transforming mere houses into dream homes that showcase ingenuity at its finest.

MERIT RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

This award is presented to the designers who deserve recognition for their impressive home designs backed by exemplary quality and creativity. 

BEST COMMERCIAL DESIGN

This award is granted to the exceptional designers featured in Designer Concept and Commercial Concept who struck the perfect balance between function and aesthetics.

BEST SHOWHOUSE DESIGN

The designers that have conceived the most compelling and well-thought-out-designs-displayed in Designer Concept and Commercial Concept-have been presented with this award. 

RISING STAR
AWARD

The Rising Star Award recognises the efforts made by design firms who have created high-quality designs with fresh insights despite being new to the field. As such, these young talents are celebrated with this award that aims to encourage the continuation of their pursuits and elevate their prestige in this industry.

Special Categories

ASIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL DESIGNER AWARD

The Asia’s Most Influential Designer Award was established to provide winning designers globally with the highest honor and recognition.
Exceptional designers with priceless experience, innovative designs, and incomparable creativity are celebrated by this award. These are elite designers who have impacted the industry with their bold strides, inspiring others with their pursuit of great design.

ASIA’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS DESIGNER AWARD

AMPDA, also known as Asia’s Most Prestigious Design Award is an award category created to recognize the demand for innovative and quality designs regionally.
This is an award many local designers strive to attain as it acknowledges their accomplishments in creating attractive, captivating and functional designs. It celebrates the effortful and clever designs that make excellent use of space, material and technology.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Lifetime Achievement Award is dedicated awards to world-class designers who have truly contributed to the design space through their extensive and admirable portfolio of design that have made an impact on the community throughout their life and career.
This accolade honours the best designers that have proved their excellence consistently and is greatly respected for their continual efforts.

TRI-STAR ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD

This award is a special accolade that celebrates the achievements of outstanding designers who have been awarded a DOTY for three years in a row.
In fact, the terms “Tri” and “Star” directly translate to “Three” and “Excellence” to automatically indicate the significance of the award.

WOMEN EMPOWERING DESIGNER AWARD

The Women Empowering Designer Award recognises women’s dedication to excellence and leadership in innovation within the traditionally male-dominated design industry.
Established to boost female designers along with their impressive array of talents and achievements, this special award is presented to the powerful women cementing their legacy with every move made in this field.

BUILDING TRANSFORMATION RECOGNITION AWARD

BTRA is a brand new award that recognises the dedicated initiatives taken in building restoration and transformation of an existing building as an effort towards sustainability, respecting the unique challenges tackled in doing so.
It encourages the restoration of old buildings, preservation of heritage and the creative use of space and function, that such a feat by the designers is honoured through this award. 

BEST PRODUCT
DESIGN

The Best Product Design Award acknowledges the products that are designed to ease the lives of its users with innovation and craftsmanship. For the second year running, this award has shortlisted the deserving products that have revolutionised the way life is lived.
This year saw the Best Product Award category extend to welcome so many new categories. Thus, recognising the various ways these products evolve the quality of life. 

Partnership

Platinum Partner

Gold Partner

 

Silver Partner

 

 

Bronze Partner

 

Trophy Partner

After-Party Partner

In Collaboration With

Supported by

Media Partner

Digital Media Partner