AWDA Women in Design Award: Gender Gap in Italian Graphic Design
The visibility gap for women in graphic design is being tackled by the AIAP (Associazione italiana design della comunicazione visiva) through the Aiap Women in Design Award (AWDA), now in its fifth year, aimed at female designers, educators, and students. The award's submissions from earlier editions are compiled in 'Uncover,' which reflects on women's contributions and rights. The call for the fifth edition is currently open, with the award ceremony scheduled for October. Additionally, the book's graphic design is showcased in 'Italy: A New Collective Landscape' at the ADI Design Museum. Organizers Laura Moretti, Cinzia Ferrara, and Carla Palladino emphasize the persistent inequalities in the workplace, despite an increase in female design students. AWDA seeks to highlight underrepresented designers and calls for government support for women in the workforce, criticizing the lack of investment in female employment.
Key facts
- AIAP runs the Aiap Women in Design Award (AWDA), now in its fifth edition.
- AWDA targets female designers, teachers, and students.
- Submissions from the third and fourth editions are collected in the volume 'Uncover'.
- The fifth edition's award ceremony is in October.
- 'Uncover' is featured in the exhibition 'Italy: A New Collective Landscape' at ADI Design Museum.
- Laura Moretti, Cinzia Ferrara, and Carla Palladino are designers, teachers, and AWDA organizers.
- More women than men are enrolled in design courses, but workplace equality is lacking.
- A 1956 law on equal pay exists but is not fully enforced.
- Historical designers include Lora Lamm (b. 1928, Arosa, Switzerland), Claudia Morgagni (1928-2002, Milan), Anita Klinz (1923-2013, Abbazia, Croatia), and Lica Steiner (1914-2008, Milan).
- AWDA launched a special mention 'AWDA for Rights!' in 2023.
Entities
Artists
- Laura Moretti
- Cinzia Ferrara
- Carla Palladino
- Lora Lamm
- Claudia Morgagni
- Anita Klinz
- Lica Steiner
Institutions
- AIAP – Associazione italiana design della comunicazione visiva
- Aiap Women in Design Award (AWDA)
- ADI Design Museum
Locations
- Italy
- Milan
- Arosa
- Switzerland
- Abbazia
- Croatia