The 2025 Golden Pin Design Award held its secondary and final selection in early September in Taipei, announcing 429 Design Mark recipients on September 2. The award-winning entries, spanning 13 regions including Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Poland, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, the United States, and Germany, have also advanced to the final selection stage. These entries will further compete for the “Best Design of the Year” and the “Special Award.” The list of finalists will be released soon, with the winners to be officially revealed at the award ceremony in December.

 

 

　

 

Highlights of the 2025 Design Mark Recipients

　

1. KAY Chair

 

- Category: Product Design
- Country / region: Philippines
- Applicant: D3 Space Inc. (Exploratory Projects)
- Manufacturer: S+D by Primex
- Design Company: Exploratory Projects

 

The KAY Chair, designed in collaboration with Tokyo-based designer Masaru Kiyota, is a four-part wooden seat assembled with only four screws. Drawing inspiration from the brand’s classic Welcome stool, its flat-packed components feature unconventional forms that reimagine traditional furniture construction. Despite the atypical shapes, the chair provides a balanced and functional seating solution, further complemented by a range of wood finishes that accentuate its distinctive design.

 

　

 

2. 1-Vibe Go Magnetic Wireless Speaker

 

- Category: Product Design
- Country / region: Taiwan
- Applicant / Design Company: Momax Taiwan Co., Ltd.

 

The 1-Vibe Go Magnetic Wireless Speaker combines audio performance with multi-functional design in a compact form. Featuring MagSafe-compatible magnets, the device attaches securely to iPhones or metal surfaces and can be positioned vertically or horizontally. In addition to serving as a portable speaker, it functions as a phone stand and magnetic mount, with water resistance that supports both indoor and outdoor use. The product also enables TWS pairing for stereo sound, offering users a versatile accessory that integrates functionality with a clean, modern aesthetic.

 

　

 

3. Alloy

 

- Category: Product Design
- Country / region: Taiwan
- Applicant: PEGATRON Corporation
- Design Company: PEGA Design

 

The Alloy women’s razor features a minimal wireframe structure designed for hygiene, safety, and intuitive use. The open-frame design allows the razor to be hung for drying, keeps the blade from contacting surfaces, and improves visibility during shaving. Its blade replacement system relies on the natural flexibility of metal, eliminating extra components for a simple and efficient mechanism. With carefully refined proportions and ergonomic details, the razor enhances grip stability while maintaining a clean, streamlined aesthetic tailored to women’s daily grooming needs.

 

　

 

4. CLEAN CITY GDANSK

 

- Category: Communication Design
- Country / region: Poland
- Applicant / Design Company: TOFU Studio

 

TOFU Studio developed a new brand identity for CMG (Clean City Gdańsk), under which the Department of Municipal Economy of the City Hall in Gdańsk promotes responsible waste management and a circular economy. The design transforms the initial “G” into a circular arrow symbolizing recycling and resource renewal, supported by a modern visual system and a comprehensive set of icons representing different waste categories. Educational materials extend the identity to younger audiences, reinforcing CMG’s role in fostering sustainable habits and environmental awareness.

 

　

 

5. EXPLORING TAIPEI: Learning Mandarin with Pictures

 

- Category: Communication Design
- Country / region: Taiwan
- Applicant: Aestheticell Association
- Design Company: Aestheticell Association, JIASUI STUDIO

 

“Exploring Taipei” is a picture book series designed for beginner Mandarin learners, developed through collaboration between educators and design teams. Each volume highlights iconic Taipei landmarks such as Taipei 101, Ximending, Elephant Mountain, the National Palace Museum, and Xingtian Temple, combining immersive illustrations, natural language contexts, and cultural knowledge. With its lightweight, portable format, the series encourages learners to move beyond the classroom, linking language study with firsthand cultural exploration.

 

　　

 

6. Shed Off Yesteryear; Shades of Brighter Cheer

 

- Category: Communication Design
- Country / region: Malaysia
- Applicant / Design Company: Fictionist Studio

 

This design reinterprets the Lunar New Year red packet through the imagery of a snake shedding its skin. The design guides recipients through a four-step unboxing process—removing incense, pausing to reflect, lighting a matchstick, and scratching silver foil on the envelopes—to symbolize letting go of the past and embracing renewal. By combining cultural symbolism with tactile interaction, the project transforms a traditional festive gift into an experiential ritual of reflection and new beginnings.

 

　

 

7. Shan-Lan & Hai-Feng: Taiwan Railways’ New Sightseeing Trains

 

- Category: Spatial Design
- Country / region: Taiwan
- Applicant / Design Company: archicake
- Client: Taiwan Railway Corporation, Ltd., SHYH JIA ENTERPRISE Co., Ltd.

 

“Shan-Lan” and “Hai-Feng", sightseeing trains by Taiwan Railways, were converted from retired EMU500 cars and reimagined with inspiration from Taiwan’s mountains and seas. Large panoramic windows, lighting that shifts with natural daylight, and soft curved interiors create an immersive travel atmosphere that balances local character with comfort. Exterior liveries in gradient yellow and teal reference the island’s rice fields and coastal waters, marking the first use of ombré paint in Taiwan’s railway history. The project combines sustainable reuse with design innovation, offering a new model for railway tourism.

 

　

 

8. Double B Hostel

 

- Category: Spatial Design
- Country / region: Thailand
- Applicant / Design Company: VMA Design Studio
- Client: Double B Hostel

 

Located in Bangkok’s historic Sao Chingcha District, this project transforms a narrow urban site into a boutique retreat through biophilic design and traditional craftsmanship. A handcrafted wooden façade, created in collaboration with local artisans, integrates reclaimed wood and contemporary fabrication, bringing a dynamic presence to the streetscape. Inside, an open courtyard with a glass roof and natural ventilation system maximizes daylight and airflow, while recessed balconies introduce greenery and privacy. The project blends local woodworking traditions with modern hospitality design, creating a vibrant social hub for both travelers and the community.

 

　

 

9. The Reserve

 

- Category: Spatial Design
- Country / region: Singapore
- Applicant / Design Company: MonoLab Studio
- Client: The Reserve Pte Ltd

 

This project repurposes a former electronics warehouse into a secure vault and office facility, balancing adaptive reuse with symbolic design. Its façade, composed of onyx laminated between glass, evokes the tension between tradition and emerging financial technologies. Minimal interventions preserve the building’s industrial form, complemented by dramatic spaces such as a double-height entry, terracotta-hued lobby, and labyrinthine corridors leading to the vault. Features including a central courtyard, spiral staircase, and cantilevered meeting pod enhance spatial experience, while sustainable strategies create connected workspaces that support local resilience and community.

 

　

 

10. Sin-rin: Redefined CSR Initiative Aimed at Building Forest-Connected Communities

 

- Category: Integration Design
- Country / region: Japan
- Applicant / Design Company: NIKKEN SEKKEI CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

The project redefines corporate social responsibility through a community-based approach to forestry in Japan, where much of the land is covered by undermaintained forests. It highlights the importance of forest management—emphasizing cutting as well as planting—by capturing the experiences of frontline workers and relaying them to the public. Through online platforms, printed publications, and experiential programs, Sin-rin fosters new perspectives on the human–forest relationship and encourages broader community participation in sustainable forestry practices.

 

　

 

11. Diverse Homology Pavilion

 

- Category: Integration Design
- Country / region: China
- Applicant / Design Company: Diameter Narrative Design
- Client: Vanke

 

This project uses the visual language of a connecting line to unify four exhibition spaces, renovated from four street-facing buildings in Shenzhen’s Nantou Ancient Town. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows turn the pavilions into street-level spectacles, inviting the public to engage with the displays from both inside and outside. Inside, AR technology and immersive projections reinterpret the town’s historical and cultural narratives, transforming abstract stories into interactive experiences. By combining curatorial design with digital media, the project offers a new way of experiencing heritage in an urban context.

 

　

 

Second Selection Jury’s Comments

 

The Golden Pin Design Award continues its mission of recognizing outstanding design each year, serving as a platform that connects Taiwan with the global design community. This year’s secondary selection brought together a panel of 30 experts across diverse fields, including product, communication, architectural and spatial design, as well as urban and social design.

 

Communication Design juror Johnathon Vaughn Strebly, former Ico-D President, observed that many of this year’s entries were ambitious in scale, reflecting strong intent from visual execution to overall project delivery. However, he also emphasized that beyond scale and form, the essence of design lies in its ability to connect with people—whether it demonstrates humanity, empathy, and resonance. Product Design juror Jesús Llinares, CEO of furniture brand Andreu World, noted that the value of design rests in its ability to inspire innovation and enhance well-being. For him, the judging focused on breakthroughs in materials, processes, techniques, and interaction with users, as well as the impact design can bring to everyday life.

 

In the Spatial Design category, juror Lai Siew Hong, Chief Executive Designer of Blu Water Studio, highlighted that many entries placed greater focus on sustainability and cultural responsibility, moving beyond functional solutions toward broader social and environmental change. He also pointed to notable residential projects integrating landscape elements, which presented new ideas of living and a spirit of exploration. 

 

For the Integration Design category, entries reflected a wide range of approaches, from connecting with local culture and industries to applying emerging technologies such as AI. Juror Eisuke Tachikawa, Japan’s well-known strategic designer and CEO of NOSIGNER, remarked that many projects demonstrated a higher level of maturity this year in both perspective and execution, while also expressing his hope to see more works in the future that break boundaries and bring fresh, unexpected ideas to the field.

 

　

Best Design of the Year Shortlist Coming Soon

 

The Golden Pin Design Award follows a three-stage process—Preliminary, Secondary, and Final Selection. Works that pass the Secondary Selection receive the Golden Pin Design Mark and advance to the Final Selection, where they compete for the highest honors: the Best Design of the Year and the Special Award. 

 

The 2025 Final Selection concluded on September 6, with the shortlist for the Best Design of the Year to be announced soon. For the latest updates, please visit the official website and follow the Golden Pin Design Award on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.

 

　

■ 

Golden Pin Design Award 2025 Design Mark Recipients (Final Selection Shortlist)