The Awards
The Mission
The Alchemy Awards honor companies, institutions and leaders
transforming the ordinary into the exemplary through
excellent design in all applications.
Why Create the Alchemy Award?
Design is an intentional and responsible choice that is not merely
about the aesthetic, but also about elevating the human experience of the world.
Design brings a higher level of thought to the creation and function
of everything we produce. Design plays an increasingly significant role in our
daily lives and in the future quality of life on Earth.
The award identifies five major criteria for Design excellence:
INNOVATION
CREATIVE EXCELLENCE
FINANCIAL VIABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
COMMUNITY IMPACT
By meeting these criteria, The Alchemy Award honorees turn
visionary creativity into business reality
through their use of Design.
Categories
Alchemy Awards nominations have been grouped into
four categories in which good design has the greatest potential
to improve quality of life for the most people:
FOOD
SHELTER
HEALTH
ENERGY
In addition, a special award honors one Catalyst,
a champion of good design who has created a
lasting legacy in the Houston community.
Economic Impact
The Alchemy Award event also spotlights the impact Design has on
everyday life in Houston, by bringing attention to:
THE NUMBER OF CREATIVE FIRMS IN HOUSTON
THE EMPLOYEES ON THEIR PAYROLLS
THE ENROLLMENT OF STUDENTS AND NUMBER
OF FACULTY PREPARING NEW EMPLOYEES
FOR DESIGN CAREERS
THE AGGREGATE SPENDING ON DESIGN
BY CLIENTS OF CREATIVE FIRMS
THE ULTIMATE IMPACT GOOD (OR BAD)
DESIGN HAS ON OUR DAILY LIVES.
The Significance of the Date
On April 27, 1963, the International Council of Graphic Design Associations
(www.icograda.org) was founded. The world body for advocacy of professional
communications design coordinates best practices for communication worldwide.
The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) celebrates World Day of Design
on April 27, the same day Icograda was founded. We celebrate World Day of Design
in Houston by honoring the important role design plays in all of our lives.