The Golden Pin Design Award and Golden Pin Concept Design Award officially unveil the jury panel for 2025. This year’s lineup features a diverse group of esteemed experts from around the world, spanning disciplines such as product design, visual communication, architecture, social innovation, and market trends.

Maintaining its rigorous and inclusive evaluation process, the Golden Pin Design Award continues to be a trusted platform for global recognition. The 2025 jury includes over 80 experts from 19 countries and regions—including Taiwan, China, the Netherlands, the U.S., Japan, Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Italy, Canada, Turkey, the U.K., Malaysia, Thailand, Poland, Nigeria, India, and Argentina—representing five continents.

From design industry leaders and creative directors to scholars and curators, the jury will assess entries through a comprehensive lens—evaluating aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and social impact—to identify works that best reflect the spirit and innovation of our times.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Final Selection Jury Highlights

　　　　　　　　

The final selection jury for this year’s Communication Design category welcomes renowned Taiwanese graphic designer Liu Kai. A key figure in shaping Taiwan’s visual culture, Liu rose to prominence in the 1990s for his iconic poster and visual designs for Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Performance Workshop, and films such as Hou Hsiao-hsien’s City of Sadness and Edward Yang’s A Confucian Confusion. Known for drawing on local life and cultural symbols, Liu blends experimental visual language with a refined craftsmanship that reflects both contemporary relevance and cultural depth. His approach has had a lasting influence on the aesthetics of modern Taiwanese design. In recognition of his contributions, Liu was inducted into the Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI) in 2018—a milestone that affirms his enduring impact on Taiwan’s visual design landscape.

Uwe Cremering, CEO of iF International Forum Design GmbH (iF Design), and Francine Houben, founding partner and creative director of Netherlands-based architecture firm Mecanoo, will join the jury as category jurors for Integration Design and Spatial Design, respectively—bringing their insight and expertise to the panel. Since taking the helm at iF Design in 2021, Cremering has led the world-renowned iF DESIGN AWARD and championed innovation at the intersection of business, digital transformation, and design. With a background in digital transformation and strategic growth, he brings a sharp understanding of design’s role in business and social impact.

Houben is internationally recognized for her architectural approach that unites human-centered thinking, landscape context, and poetic spatial language. Over the course of her career, she has received numerous international honors, including being named a Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion in 2024 for her outstanding contributions to the field of architecture. She has guided Mecanoo in shaping major cultural and public spaces around the world—including several high-profile projects in Taiwan such as the Kaohsiung Station, the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), and the Tainan Public Library. She shares a strong connection with Taiwan and returns as a Golden Pin Design Award juror for the second time since 2021—bringing much to look forward to.

The final jury lineup for the Product Design category brings together voices from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. Joining the panel for the first time is renowned Japanese designer Akira Minagawa. Since founding minä perhonen in 1995, Minagawa has developed a distinct design language characterized by original patterns, material innovation, and refined craftsmanship. His work spans fashion, furniture, tableware, and interiors, often in collaboration with international brands such as Kvadrat, KLIPPAN, and Artek. His thoughtful approach continues to explore the role of design in everyday life.

Also joining this year is Babette Strousse, Dean of the Industrial Design Division at ArtCenter College of Design—a leading institution in design education. With a background in both design practice and operations, she brings extensive experience in interdisciplinary collaboration, especially in areas of sustainability, AI, and design pedagogy. Her work also focuses on shaping the next generation of designers to think critically and act with impact. 

Representing Taiwan is Liang Yi-Chia, Executive Vice President of MUJI Taiwan. Formerly the manager of MUJI’s first store in Taiwan, Liang has since taken on leadership roles across markets in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Shanghai. With a deep understanding of retail operations and international strategy, he is known for aligning brand values with local culture while advancing sustainability efforts. His business acumen is expected to offer insight into identifying innovative works with market potential.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Distinguished Experts Join Preliminary and Secondary Judging

　　　　　　　　　　　　　

This year’s preliminary and secondary juries also brought together a stellar group of international experts. In the Product Design category, Jesús Llinares, CEO of the renowned Spanish furniture brand Andreu World, joined the judging panel. Under his leadership, the century-old brand has become a pioneer in sustainability and design-driven innovation—achieving B Corp and Cradle to Cradle certification, along with carbon-neutral operations that reflect a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.

For the Communication Design category, Masahiko Kimura, President of Japan’s GK Graphics Inc., brought decades of experience in brand identity, transportation system design, product development, and design education. His notable projects include signage systems for JR East and the Utsunomiya LRT system, and the development of Yamaha’s custom UI typeface. In the Spatial Design category, celebrated Japanese architect Akihisa Hirata—protégé of Toyo Ito—offered his unique perspective. Known for merging organic forms, geometric structures, and contextual sensitivity, Hirata’s major works include HARAKADO, a new mixed-use landmark in Harajuku, as well as the Ota City Art Museum and Library. In Taiwan, he is currently designing the new main branch of Hsinchu Public Library and the Centennial Memorial Hall at National Taiwan University.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

And That’s Not All: Even More Esteemed Jury Members

　　　　　　　　　　

This year’s jury brings together an extraordinary mix of voices from both academia and industry, featuring representatives from leading international design organizations. These include Melike Taşcıoğlu Vaughan, President of the International Council of Design (ICoD); Johnathon Vaughn Strebly, former ICoD President; Astrid Stavro, President of the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD); Philhyun Kang, President of Design Council Busan; Lutz Dietzold, CEO of the German Design Council; Sonia Manchanda, Board Member of the World Design Organization (WDO); and Eva Castro, a practice professor at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

The jury also features prominent designers and industry leaders from around the world. Among them are Joe Fang, the celebrated Taiwanese designer behind the 54th and 55th Golden Horse Awards visual identity; Tiger Pan, renowned Chinese designer and the 2024 jury chair for Packaging Design category at the UK’s D&AD Awards; Carl Liu, Senior VP of Design at Niu Technologies; Eisuke Tachikawa, Japan’s leading strategic designer; and Lai Siew Hong, a well-known interior designer in Malaysia.

Other experts joining the panel include Chí-An Benjamin De Leo, CEO and co-founder of the Italian design firm Rice; Thai type designer Anuthin Wongsunkakon; ChunWei-Sean Su, Head of Design at Logitech Asia Pacific; Yuki Uchida, a certified regional revitalization consultant by Japan’s Cabinet Office; and Alfie Lin, internationally recognized floral artist and founder of CNFlower. 

Rounding out the jury are Shenan Chuang, co-founder of Ogilvy Taiwan and Chief Vision Officer of Cothinker.com; Lidan Liu, CEO of HOTO Tech; Yumian Deng, founder of LeapX Design; Lani Adeoye, a Nigerian product designer whose works have been acquired by several major international museums; Aleksandra Krupa, co-founder of Poland’s Blank Studio specializing in public wayfinding systems; and Roman Vrtiška, a Czech designer acclaimed for his cross-disciplinary expertise in space, product, and graphic design. Together, this diverse group of jurors will bring their insights to select the most outstanding and forward-thinking works of the year.

　　　　　　　　　

Next Steps in the 2025 Award Journey

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

The 2025 Golden Pin Design Award and Golden Pin Concept Design Award have officially closed for submissions. Preliminary selection results will be announced soon. Shortlisted entries will then move on to the secondary and final judging rounds, scheduled for September 1 (Monday) and September 6 (Saturday) at the Hakka Cultural Center in Taipei. 

These sessions will determine this year’s Design Mark recipients and shortlist the contenders for the top honors—the Best Design of the Year. The Best Design Award winners will be officially revealed at the ceremony in early December. Stay tuned for updates.

View the full jury lineup: https://www.goldenpin.org.tw/goldenpin/en/jury