The NY Product Design Awards was launched to honor the efforts of talented product designers, design teams, and manufacturers from all over the world, whose designs have made daily living that much better with their practical and ingenious creations.
Recognizing that excellence exists in various forms in the design industry, the NY Product Design Awards intends to celebrate excellence in all its facets that are found in design work and its designers.
A well-thought-out design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, and all-in-all improves one’s daily life. Said designs can stem from different people’s personal projects, commercial engagements or researches. To the NY Product Design Awards, these are the individuals we wish to honor.
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Meet the world-class creatives, designers, and experts who formed the NY Product Design Awards jury panel.
The Awards is judged by members of the IAA Judging Council, a group of leading industry professionals. Showcase your brilliant projects and capture the attention of our esteemed panel of judges today!
United States
Yafei Zhang
Founder and Principal, Oakdale Design Studio LLC
Yafei Zhang, AIA, LEED AP, is a licensed New Jersey architect and founder of Oakdale Design Studio LLC with over a decade of experience leading residential, corporate interiors and mixed-use projects from concept through construction.
Yafei’s expertise spans the full project lifecycle, from feasibility and design development to construction and post-occupancy evaluation. She leads multidisciplinary consultant teams to deliver high-performance, sustainable interiors for leading corporate clients, including Meta, ensuring projects meet design, budget, and schedule goals.
Her notable projects include Miami Edgeworth, Meta 50 Hudson Yards, the Bund Fosun Center, and the University of Michigan Center for Innovation, reflecting her ability to turn complex requirements into cohesive, high-performing spaces. With strong expertise in Revit and BIM-driven workflows, Yafei drives project efficiency through data-informed coordination and delivery. She also serves as National Education Lead (North America) and Regional Lead (New York) for Women in BIM, advocating for leadership diversity and innovation across the AEC industry.
United Arab Emirates
Khaled Elnems
Q.C. & Industrial Product Designer, PARSONS Infrastructure & Technology Group Inc.
Khaled Elnems, a born and Abu Dhabi-based R&D Innovations Q.C., possesses vast expertise as a jury member on the Committee for International Engineering Invention & Innovation Exhibitions. Furthermore, he serves as a Co-founder and Head of Delegation for International Innovations Exhibitions in Egypt and the U.A.E, advocating for young inventors and representing them in local and international events. With a strong focus on supporting women and young marginalized inventors, he actively fosters collaboration, helping them gain international recognition and success. Highly knowledgeable in his field, he is regarded as an expert in innovation development and mentorship, guiding emerging talents to realize their full potential on a global stage.
United Arab Emirates
Niko Kapa
Director, Architect and Industrial Designer, Studio Niko Kapa
Niko Kapa is a celebrated architect and industrial designer, with a practice, Studio Niko Kapa as a director spanning across Europe and the Middle East. Kapa plays a pivotal role in shaping the architectural and industrial design landscape in both Europe and the Middle East. As an architect, he merges innovation with functionality, creating structures that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also sustainable and efficient. In the realm of industrial design, Kapa focuses on integrating cutting-edge technology with user-centric design principles, ensuring that his products are both state-of-the-art and accessible. His work often reflects a blend of contemporary trends and timeless elegance, appealing to a wide range of clients and audiences. Kapa's commitment to excellence and his ability to envision and execute complex design projects have established him as a notable figure in the world of architecture and industrial design. He has earned over 50 international awards in recognition of his work.
Bulgaria
Vasil Velchev
Media & Product Life Cycle Manager, Europe, Ideal Standard International NV
Vasil Velchev has amassed over a decade of experience as a graphic designer within global organizations. Initially, his foray into product design was more of a hobby, but as his creations gained international recognition and garnered awards, his confidence in his ideas grew.
Several years ago, He initiated the MAGMA project, a platform aimed at consolidating his diverse creations under one umbrella. The project's name is symbolic, representing the designer's belief that every original idea should remain in a constant "liquid" state, continuously evolving to explore its full potential and staying vibrant until it transforms into a tangible product.
Velchev also serves as a valued member of the Grand Jury for prestigious awards. His remarkable talent has earned him approximately 25 international awards across various categories, with a primary focus on furniture design, recognized by design awards worldwide.
Ava: A Symbol of Design Excellence & Creation
Inspired by Galatea, a statue carved of ivory coming to life, the statuette is shaped in the form of a female humanoid, with elements that strongly affirms its non-biological origins. The statuette is titled “Ava”, a variation of Eve, the first woman found in Abrahamic religions. Eve came to be as soon as life was breathed into her. In that regard, we recognize that designers are able to breathe life into their works, and give way to something truly great. The design of the statuette is aimed to invoke a sense of pristine clarity with its frame clad in ivory white, while its golden embellishments effectively communicate a sense of elegance and divinity. All of these elements culminate in symbols of excellence, creation, and the unbounded future that is in store. Much like Pygmalion – the sculptor of Galatea, whose excellence shaped his future, we too hope that this statuette symbolizes designers whose works shape the path they walk in their own futures.
“ Winning this award has brought a new level of attention to both the product and the team behind it. ”
~ Pooya Zonooz - Chief Product Officer - Multi Ways Intl. - Dubai
“ It's an incredible honor to win this award! It confirms our team's efforts and highlighting the enthusiasm that go into each product. ”
~ Adam Sblendorio - VP of Product - The Op Games - United States
“ Being recognized by the award means so much to me— as a designer and someone who has poured years of heart and time into a vision. ”
~ Krittika Bhekasut - Founder - SPIN - United States
“ Being recognized by the NY Product Design Awards is an incredible honor. It validates our commitment to creativity, quality, and thoughtful innovation. ”
~ Ronny Gobbo - CEO - Mobili Fiver - Italy
“ It’s incredibly meaningful to be recognized alongside so many talented designers! This award validates our belief that architectural elements can be both functional and sculptural. ”
~ Eddie Maestri - Founder - Maestri Studio - United States
NY PRODUCT Design AWARDS IS AN IAA COMPETITION
International Awards Associate (IAA) is a group of industry innovators, creators, designers and communications professionals, deeply committed to advance the industry internationally by means of discovering and recognizing talented product designers, whose works have improved the daily lives of people.
