Judging Process
Each entry is evaluated in a multi-stage procedure. First, the jurors decide which projects are nominated to compete in the Awards.
In the second stage, teams of judges subject all nominated entries to a detailed review, and shortlist finalists to enter the jury session.
In the final jury session – after extensive deliberations – all judges choose the Gold Award and Award winners, as well as the recipients of a Special Mention.
All jury decisions are made by majority vote independent of the organizers. The jury members commit themselves to an impartial evaluation and are bound to confidentiality. They are excluded from voting on any project in which they, or their respective organizations, are directly or indirectly involved.
Furthermore, judges are appointed for a maximum of two tenures, and chairpersons of the jury for a maximum of four terms.
Judging Criteria
The Awards honor solutions that positively impact their users while being effective and viable. In addition, entries should consider the broader context, such as secondary users, social and environmental consequences.
Relevance
- We expect submissions to be relevant in their respective application field or industry.
- They should address substantial challenges, improve situations and create value – for business, people and the planet.
- In addition, products and services should take sustainable principles and resource-saving into account.
Empowerment
- Entries should empower people by improving human abilities in their field of action – by enabling users to fulfil their tasks in a better way, or by providing access to new fields of usage or knowledge.
- In addition, products and services should strive to uphold social values and cohesion by strengthening inclusion and participation.
Innovation
- Award entries should find innovative solutions for real challenges, identify emerging fields of action, and present new solution strategies.
- Novel technologies should be used to create added value. Existing technologies should be applied in new and creative ways.
- Overall, solutions should strive to humanize technology.
Outcome & Business Value
- Entrants should be able to show how a product or service is expected to succeed on the market.
- Feasibility and measurable outcomes should be reasonably explained.
Holistic Thinking & User-centric Approach
- Solutions must be based on consistent user-centered research.
- The development process should align design, research and business functions to create the best of outcomes.
- Products and services should take the extended context of a use case into consideration.
- The design process must take responsibility both for core users and actors in the background.
Design & Experience Quality
- Submissions should excel through consistent design, intuitive use, interoperability, universal comprehensibility and inclusiveness.
- Services should offer a positive experience level across all touchpoints. Unnecessary features should be avoided.
- Entries must show a high design quality: design systems, visual elements, aesthetics and brand fit are all part of a UX.
- UX writing is another important element: the quality of texts, an appropriate language and tone of voice complement the experience quality.