The grand finale of the 17th annual AYDA Awards in Tokyo on June 20, 2025, marked a memorable celebration of emerging design talent. As a key Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program for the NIPSEA Group | Nippon Paint, the awards have consistently provided a platform for nurturing the next generation of socially conscious designers. This year, under the theme ‘CONVERGE: Glocal Design Solutions,’ the platform welcomed an incredible 67,000 entries from across 20 regions, each presenting innovative ideas that blend global vision with local impact.
A Vision for the Next Generation of Design
Insights from our leadership framed the event. In his opening address, Yuichiro Wakatsuki, Director, Representative Executive Officer & Co-President, welcomed guests to the home of Nippon Paint and explained the core mission of the awards. “Through the AYDA Awards, we focus on nurturing the next generation of socially responsible design leaders who will use their talents to serve their communities,” he noted, positioning the platform as a key part of the “Colouring Lives” education pillar.
Reflecting on the students’ work in his closing speech, Wee Siew Kim, Co-President of the Nippon Paint Group & Group CEO of NIPSEA Group, highlighted the powerful real-world impact of their designs. He noted that the young talents proved that design can serve diverse communities, benefiting real people such as “a single mother” or “tea farmers”. Addressing the finalists directly, he added, “The road ahead is long, you have a lot to do… go out and do good for the world”.
Crowning the 2024/2025 Designers of the Year
The evening’s highest honours went to two exceptional students who will now attend a three-week Design Discovery Programme at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.
Mike Huang from China was named the AYDA Designer of the Year for the Architectural Category with his project, “18+1 Sewing Plan.” A student at The Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Mike transformed a traditional, abandoned kiln site into a community-focused space. Reflecting on his win, he said, “I’m super excited and surprised.” For him, a key takeaway from the journey was learning “how to tell a Chinese story,” a skill he feels is vital in architecture.
Adelia Meysa from Indonesia received the AYDA Designer of the Year title for the Interior Design Category for her project, “Mayungan Teh.” A student at the Bali Institute of Design and Business, Adelia, was overjoyed. “I don’t believe it, but I’m so happy,” she expressed. Her win was the result of incredible persistence, having joined the competition for a second time and spent over a year preparing her project. She felt her design stood out because it advocated for the rights and local needs of people facing uncertainty.
Recognising Excellence Across the Board
The awards also celebrated a host of talented designers with sub-awards for their outstanding work:
Architectural Category
- Best Design Impact Award: Mohammad Javad Movahhed (Iran)
- Best Sustainable Design Award: Lew Wai Fong (Malaysia)
- Nippon Paint Colour Award: Kenta Kashiwazaki (Japan)
- Honorary Mention Award: Chayanon Chinnawong ‘Non’ (Thailand)
Interior Design Category
- Best Design Impact Award: Zhao Ziyan (China)
- Best Sustainable Design Award: Chol Woradee (Thailand)
- Nippon Paint Colour Award: Thien Phu Huynh (Vietnam)
- Honorary Mention Award: Tan Ee Wei (Malaysia)
- Judges’ Choice Award: Mahdia Rahman (Bangladesh)
Judges’ Insights on a New Generation of Talent
The judges were deeply impressed by the passion and social conscience demonstrated by this year’s finalists. Lilia de Jesus praised the “very compelling story and the narrative” behind the work, noting that great design is about “responsibilities,” not just solutions. This focus on humanity was echoed by Santhosh Shanmugam, who found it “reassuring and heartwarming” to see students address community needs with such sensitivity and care. He credits AYDA’s unique mentorship program—which involves a “continual refinement of an idea” with industry experts—for building the confidence and depth required to tackle such meaningful themes.
Celebrating the Guides Behind the Talent
AYDA also proudly recognised two outstanding educators with the Best Mentor Award for their unwavering dedication. Congratulations to
Mary Louise Catherine “Cathy” Saldaña of the University of the Philippines Diliman (Architectural Category) and Yenty Rahardjo of Universitas Pelita Harapan, Indonesia (Interior Design Category). Their commitment has inspired countless students, and both mentors also won a fully sponsored virtual program with Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.
As the evening drew to a close, the judges’ advice resonated, offering a guiding light for the young designers. “Be more human, be humble… listen,” urged Santhosh Shanmugam. Lilia de Jesus added, “Continue nurturing not only their creativity, but the power of thinking.” Their words perfectly captured the spirit of AYDA—a platform dedicated to shaping a future where design serves humanity with purpose and passion.
