Breakthrough and Symbiosis: Trends Insight from the 10th Design Intelligence Award Outstanding Works Defense and Evaluation

An Annual Indicator of Design and Technology

At the threshold of a technological leap in the global design industry, the lineup of entrants in the finals of the 10th Design Intelligence Award (DIA) showcases a rare complexity: the iterative speed of smart hardware exceeds that of any previous year, AI generation technology continually expands its boundaries, and there is a notable increase in projects focused on life sciences and social innovation, while new materials and processes in traditional manufacturing are quietly coming to the forefront.

This diversification is not a mere blending but a manifestation of “symbiotic innovation.” Design has transitioned from being the “packaging layer” at the end of the industrial chain to the starting point for driving the reconstruction of technology, markets, and organizational models. At the finals, various types of projects resonated with each other—AI defined interactions, material science influenced product forms, and the supply chain, in turn, shaped design language. These trends of cross-disciplinary integration constituted the most frequently mentioned keywords in this year’s judging discussions.

Technology Shifting from “Showmanship” to “Implementation”

This year, the overall temperament of hardware projects is more restrained, with less emphasis on flashy innovation and a greater focus on engineering-level validation capabilities and industrial implementation as key competitive points. Whether in optics, sensing, energy management, or interaction systems, a noticeable change is that teams are prioritizing “engineering reliability” over “conceptual dazzlement.”

For instance, multiple devices such as the Rokid smart glasses and the Extend Intelligent Robotic Avatar (EIRA) showcase a deeper understanding of fundamental elements like wearing comfort, reliability, and material environmental stability. During the judging discussions, an expert noted, “In the past, hardware teams talked about experience; this year, they are discussing system redundancy and mass production feasibility.”

This shift reflects a new phase in China’s intelligent manufacturing: the value of design comes from continuous refinement and engineering design capabilities rather than singular creative breakthroughs.

Design Transitioning from “Products” to “Systems”

Design is no longer focused on the optimization of single products but is moving toward systemic and ecological solutions. A prime example is the Harmony ecological all-scenario intelligent terminal, which received the “Grand Prize.” This represents a systemic intervention perspective. It is not merely “a vehicle”; more importantly, it serves as a node within the ecosystem, connecting Huawei’s hardware ecosystem and promoting downstream supply chain collaboration, thereby demonstrating its capability to construct the entire ecosystem.

Another exemplary case is Mindray’s “Rui Zhi” clinical decision support system. AI connects all hardware, enabling previously isolated data from ventilators, monitors, and other devices to integrate and form a vast medical data network, which, using large models, provides decision support for doctors.

This symbolizes a core shift in design from creating isolated products to building an interconnected, intelligent, and self-evolving ecosystem.

AI is “Reshaping the Design Paradigm”

Many projects competing this year have moved beyond simply showcasing modeling capabilities to constructing application frameworks aimed at enterprise-level use. AI platforms in forms such as text, visual, 3D generation, and process agents demonstrate greater applicability, becoming the driving force behind the design systems of many companies. For example, Data Agent from ByteDance, based on the latest LLM technology, explores AI solutions for data analysis and marketing, emerging as a next-generation enterprise-level AI data expert.

Notably, these platforms are evolving from “tools” to “infrastructure,” reshaping the future design paradigm. They support design teams in performing full-process simulations, from demand insights to concept sketches, from solution validation to rapid simulation, and automatic generation of supply chain parameters. Some platforms can even directly output manufacturable-grade data formats, shortening product development cycles.

In the international design community, this is seen as a structural trend: the role of designers is transitioning from “defining products” to “defining systems,” with platform-based capabilities becoming the underlying logic of competition.

International Expression is Becoming an “Essential Option” for Chinese Design

An important change in this year’s shortlisted projects is the increasing ability of teams to express themselves in an international context, including standardized engineering language, understanding of compliance systems, and cross-regional supply chain collaboration models. These capabilities make it easier for Chinese designs to be integrated into global supply chains and promote more original innovators entering the overseas implementation phase.

During discussions, judges pointed out that “Product internationalization is no longer a channel issue, but a question of system design capability.” In fields such as artificial intelligence, consumer electronics, medical devices, and urban systems, projects that reflect international engineering standards generally receive higher evaluations.

Meanwhile, the DIA will continue to advance its international layout. Following a strategic partnership with the WDO (World Design Organization) in 2024, this year it signed a letter of intent with the Cumulus Association to jointly conduct international competitions, innovation camps, and academic research, further consolidating its position as a global hub for linking innovative resources.

For the Chinese design community, this change is profoundly significant. The boundaries between design capabilities, engineering capabilities, and ecological integration capabilities are blurring, and the global attributes of teams are becoming part of their competitive strength.

The Design Industry is Moving Towards an Era of “Systemic Innovation”

Looking back at the overall sample from the 10th Design Intelligence Award Outstanding Works Defense and Evaluation, projects across different tracks seem to point in the same direction: design is shifting from single-point breakthroughs to systemic collaboration, from solving localized problems to participating in structural adjustments within industries.

This trend is highly consistent in the international tech field:

• From consumer electronics to smart mobility, the early definition of products is seen as a key variable determining success.
• From AI platforms to material innovation, systemic capabilities are becoming the core of industry barriers.
• From social design to public safety, the capacity of design to enter governance issues is continually strengthening.

As a result, the design industry is encountering greater complexity: it needs to understand multiple dimensions, including science, engineering, ethics, supply chains, and policy, rather than remaining focused on traditional styles and experiences.

In this new ecosystem, entries to the DIA are no longer just displays of “works,” but showcase a profound structural change occurring within the industry: the boundaries between technology and design are being redrawn, and systemic capabilities are replacing individual creative ideas as the engines of industrial breakthroughs.

If design in the past primarily served products, today’s design is reshaping the entire landscape of future industries.