IDSA Awards
Honoring individuals and organizations that drive innovation, elevate the profession, and shape the future of industrial design.
About IDSA Awards
IDSA Awards is a collection of awards presented in recognition of significant contribution to the Society or the industrial design profession, excellence in academic advancement, or personal achievement. This tradition and long standing practice is one that dates back to the earliest days of our organization. Past recipients of these distinguished recognitions are some of the most celebrated industrial designers of all time and have made an indelible mark through their personal and professional successes.
Deserving candidates are nominated by their peers through an open submission period each year. In this way, our community members help identify those who have, or currently are, creating a positive impact in the field of industrial design.
IDSA Awards is a collection of awards presented in recognition of significant contribution to the Society or the industrial design profession, excellence in academic advancement, or personal achievement. This tradition and long standing practice is one that dates back to the earliest days of our organization. Past recipients of these distinguished recognitions are some of the most celebrated industrial designers of all time and have made an indelible mark through their personal and professional successes.
Deserving candidates are nominated by their peers through an open submission period each year. In this way, our community members help identify those who have, or currently are, creating a positive impact in the field of industrial design. IDSA’s Awards Committee, made up of IDSA members and chaired by IDSA’s At-large Director (Awards), maintains annual oversight of this portfolio and evaluates candidates to select deserving recipients.
Awards Categories
Recognizes IDSA members or non-members whose sustained individual achievement has made a valued contribution to the profession of industrial design.
Recognizes individuals, organizations, or special projects for their creativity, innovation, passion, advocacy or achievement in the field of industrial design.
Recognizes significant, distinguished, and long-term contributions of career or tenured faculty IDSA members to the field of industrial design academia.
Recognizes junior faculty, non-tenured, or tenure-track IDSA member educators who have made a noteworthy impact on industrial design education within the early years of their academic career.
IDSA’s Board Chair may provide special acknowledgement to individuals whose work in service of the Society is deserving of a spotlight. (Active: 2012-2015)
Recognizes IDSA members who have earned the respect and affection of our community through distinguished service to the society and to the profession as a whole.
Awards Evaluation Criteria
The IDSA Awards Committee will evaluate nominations based on the following applicable criteria (note – criteria for each award varies slightly based on their description):
- Career / Professional Experience
- IDSA Service
- Impact to IDSA
- Impact to the Profession
- Impact on Academia
2025 IDSA Awards Cycle Timeline
Sheng-Hung Lee, IDSA is a designer, maker, educator, MIT AgeLab researcher, and MIT xPRO course experience designer. He is inspired by multiple domains of knowledge and different perspectives, and he thrives on creating new value for clients on multidisciplinary teams. He is trained as an industrial designer and electrical engineer, and his approach to problem-solving is influenced by his passion for how design and technology impact and can be integrated into society. He has been invited to be a jury member for multiple international design competitions, including IDEA and Spark Design Awards.