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The biggest names in car design have helped to shape which aspects of design are recognised, and so alongside established disciplines like exterior and interior design and clay modelling, you will find awards for user experience, lighting and leadership.
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN TEAM AWARD
Sponsored by Ultrafabrics
The team that delivers design solutions – from form to ergonomics to usability and manufacturing to create class-leading interiors.
BEST STUDIO ENGINEERING TEAM AWARD
Sponsored by Volvo Cars
For the team that bridges the design and engineering departments to make challenging projects a reality. This studio engineering team demonstrates how it has made the difference between a good design and a great one, advocating for design to push the boundaries of what is possible. The team should outline how they have played a pivotal role in the success of a project.
MOST SUPPORTIVE DESIGN LEADER AWARD
Sponsored by Konzepthaus Consulting
A senior designer who leads by example to inspire their team to push the boundaries of automotive design by creating a supportive, diverse and inclusive working culture that encourages people to grow and feel heard.
BEST EXTERIOR DESIGN TEAM AWARD
Sponsored by Autodesk
Dynamic, innovative design that pushes the boundaries of exterior design and captures the spirit of the car brand, moving it forward into new territory and experiment with new forms and silhouettes.
THE PETER HORBURY FELLOWSHIP AWARD
Sponsored by Bridge of Weir Leather
The Peter Horbury Fellowship will be awarded to a student on the RCA Intelligence Mobility programme in the 2024 intake who represents the highest levels of design excellence and potential. The award will be judged by a team from the IMDC chaired by Prof. Dale Harrow.
BEST SUPPLIER AWARD
A project that flourished because of a close working relationship between different departments within the same company (engineering, UX, marketing, finance), between an OEM and a supplier or academic institution and car company.
AI EXPLORER AWARD
Sponsored by Los Angeles Auto Show Automobility LA
The student (or group of students) that demonstrates an innovative application of artificial intelligence, using the tool not only for speed but also to explore new ideas. Entries must outline how AI was used with complete transparency.
MOST SUSTAINABLE BRAND TEAM AWARD
Sponsored by Bridge of Weir Leather
The brand who connects across multiple departments: sustainability, engineering, strategy, interior, exterior, CMF to deliver scalable real-world sustainable solutions and processes to meet the challenges of the new automotive landscape.
BEST CLAY MODELLER AWARD
Sponsored by Kolb Design Technology
The team with a world-class ability to render sketches in clay at ¼ and full-scale at speed, with maximum accuracy to the design intent. A team or individual who showcases the continued importance of clay modelling to the overall design as well as demonstrates an excellent collaborative spirit.
BEYOND AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN AWARD
Sponsored by Afry Experience Studio
Holistic, big picture thinking that goes beyond the estab lished considerations of automotive design to tackle issues such as MAAS, infrastructure, design sustainability, circularity, to affect positive cultural impact within vehicle design and beyond.
UNDISCOVERED TALENT AWARD
Sponsored by Zeekr Design
A designer with a standout portfolio – exterior / interior / UX/UI / CMF or material designer –– on the cusp of entering the professional ranks or a talented student taking the first steps in their design education.
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN AWARD
The lighting design team that can show how light can convey modes of driving, interior ambience, enhance the UX, brand identity and communicate with the world outside the car.
BEST DIGITAL MODELLING TEAM AWARD
Sponsored by Linkage Design
The team that can take the sketch and the package – proportions, dimensions and lines – and bring those parts to life in the virtual space through astute analyses of data, a willingness to experiment, and exceptional creative thinking. The design must have been approved by an OEM - no independent projects.
CHALLENGING THE INDUSTRY AWARD
Sponsored by Bentley
This award recognises individuals or teams within design, who show courage to question and challenge the status quo, through innovation , visionary thinking and leadership.
BEST CMF TEAM AWARD
Sponsored by UE Studios
Innovative / sustainable use of materials and colour to create a strong, clear and sustainable aesthetic that unifies exterior and interior design and manufacturing and user experience.
BEST USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN TEAM AWARD
Sponsored by Contechs Consulting
The UX team that understands what it is to create an intuitive, technology-led and user-friendly experience with a coherent and memorable aesthetic that strengthens the connection between the car and the customer: from in-car UX to apps, instore digital experiences and configurators.
DESIGN EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by Mahindra Design
The full-time academic who can demonstrate an ability to inspire creative thinking and innovative approaches among their students to understand and challenge the automotive design world and push it in new directions.
