Awards
There are three main graduate awards and – from 2021 to 2023 – one award open to all students, created in collaboration with mental health organisation GGzE. Each award has its own jury, consisting of design practitioners and professionals from design companies and associated industries.
The awards began in 1977, with a prize named after René Smeets, the institution's founding director. The prize is awarded to a BA graduate, recognising professional attitude during the design process and in the resulting graduation project.
The Melkweg Award was introduced in 2003 and highlights a BA graduation project demonstrating originality and potential – a 'far out and outspoken talent'.
The Gijs Bakker Award was created in 2014, ten years after the establishment of the first Master's programme at DAE, and is named after the designer that created the department. It recognises a graduate whose thesis research and design project demonstrate outstanding skill and imagination, tenacity and originality, personality, and relevance to the profession and the outside world.
Our records for DAE’s awards and prizes are incomplete pre 1995. Can you help us add to this list or do you have a story related to the awards? Please email us at: alumni@designacademy.nl
Recognising professionalism among DAE's BA graduates.
The René Smeets Award is given annually to a BA student who demonstrates exceptional professionalism during the design process and in the execution of their graduation project. The shortlist is made up of graduates nominated by the head of each BA Studio and is announced following the final exams at the end of the academic year. The winner is announced during the Graduation Show at Dutch Design Week in October.
The Gijs Bakker Award recognises exceptional talent among DAE's Master's Graduates.
The Gijs Bakker Award is given annually to an MA student who exhibits exceptional talent in their design and research process, and the ability to transform research and ideas into a graduation project.
Recognising unique and 'far out' thinking and exceptional talent among DAE's BA graduates
The Melkweg Award is given annually to a BA student who demonstrates exceptional talent, a unique vision and true originality in their graduation project. Previous winners include Christien Meindertsma and Dave Hakkens.
The annual Planetree Design Award is a collaboration between Design Academy Eindhoven and mental health institution GGzE which seeks ideas that pave the way to a more inclusive society.
Recognising the dedication and growth of their craft within the workshops at DAE
The Workshop Awards are given annually to one BA student and one MA student who demonstrated their growth, curiosity, dedication to their craft and willingness to help others during their time in the varies workshops at DAE.
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