Among the many categories of the Henry van de Velde Awards, Belgium's most important design prizes, today we are highlighting the category of Digital Design. This category focuses on digital products, campaigns and experiences that are innovative and distinctive. Does your project fit within this category? We’ll explain it to you and provide inspiring examples from past winners.
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Entries for the Henry van de Velde Awards have been open since April 1: the chance to showcase your innovative design project. Each year, innovative design projects win in several categories, such as Crafts, Environment and Spaces.
The Digital Design category rewards new or improved digital products, campaigns or experiences in which the user experience, customer journey, visual execution and use of technology are groundbreaking and distinctive.
This award focuses on digital innovations such as websites, apps, animations, digital campaigns, and experiences that create effective communication and a valuable experience. In an increasingly digital world, the award recognizes designs that are both functional and visually appealing, with a strong impact.
This is how previous winners approached it
2024: KMSKA-app
Agency: Leap Forward
Client: KMSKA
The KMSKA app is an app which can be used on your own smartphone or tablet or via one of the museum’s devices, provides practical information and explanations about the works of art and shows the route through the museum’s collection. The app is also customisable and has an option for hard-of-hearing or deaf visitors. Prior to this, an extensive consumer survey was conducted.
KMSKA-app, Leap Forward for KMSKA
"It’s an example of an app that seamlessly connects to the experience. The app is entirely devoted to the experience of the exhibition and complements it beautifully. The preliminary research began at the same time as the renovation of the museum. The visitor’s experience is key.”
2023: Last Metal Standing
Agency: Mutant and nøcomputer
Client: StuBru
Last Metal Standing was developed as a digital alternative to metal gatherings that were not able to take place due to the coronavirus. More than 26,000 metal fans were brought together online in the biggest ever digital moshpit. With the digital moshpit the metal community got that unique feeling of togetherness again for a little while.
Last Metal Standing, Mutant and nøcomputer for Stubru
"This project brings an entire target group together in a virtual environment without losing the fun content of the real life experience.”
2022: BabelAR
Designers: Thomas Meynen and Wim Forceville
BabelAR is a multilingual puzzle adventure in Augmented Reality (AR). The game teaches children between the age of 7 and 12 the value of the languages they speak (or do not speak) and strengthens language and cultural awareness.
BabelAR, Thomas Meynen and Wim Forceville
Register for the competition
Have you developed an application in the past year that fits within the Digital Design category? Then you have a chance to win a Henry van de Velde Award. Have you developed a project that fits better within one of the eight other categories (Business Innovation, Consumer, Crafts by Bokrijk, Design Research, Environment, Graphics, Habitat, or Spaces)? Then you can, of course, submit it under that category.
The competition is open to designers and clients from Flanders or projects with a clear Flemish link.
Registration is free and entirely online via henryvandevelde.be until May 27 at 11:59 p.m.
Good to know:
- You can submit a project in a maximum of two categories.
- For each category for which one applies, a clear motivation must be written of why the project is of added value within this category and what impact it has.
- Want to submit multiple projects? You certainly can!
Seize this opportunity to showcase your work, expand your network, and establish new collaborations. Show that your project deserves to be recognized and rewarded with a prestigious Henry van de Velde Award.
