DPDK’s Stevi van den Berg joins the FWA jury
We’ve got news, our very own Stevi van den Berg has been selected to join the Favorite Website Awards (FWA) as a judge. Three cheers for Stevi!
FWA is one of the oldest and most prestigious award programs for website design. For over 20 years, it has been a hub for innovation and cutting-edge creativity. It’s a place where individuals, brands, and agencies come together to showcase their best work.
As an FWA judge, Stevi will be part of an international jury that scopes out and votes on creative work that is pushing the digital industry forward. I sat down with her to learn more about this new adventure and what joining the jury means.
Firstly, congratulations! I’m curious, what made you want to become an FWA judge?
Thank you! Yes, I’m quite thrilled. FWA is a highly reputable awards program in the digital industry. It’s a big source of inspiration for all kinds of designers. I go there regularly to get inspired, and I’m definitely not the only one.
Joining the FWA panel seemed like the perfect opportunity for me not only to keep up with new trends, but also to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible work in our industry.
What is your role as an FWA judge?
Put simply, it’s to recognise exceptional creative work that is worthy of an award. This can be anything from websites and apps to physical installations and VR/AR projects.
I start with judging as soon as I have turned on my computer. It’s such a nice way to start the day: a morning shot of inspiration!
How did you join the jury?
To become a judge (which is voluntary, by the way), candidates must have won at least one FWA, either on their own or as part of a team. Luckily, being part of the DPDK team made fulfilling this criteria easy. We’ve won FWAs for a multitude of projects, like Nike, 7Up, and Peugeot. I’m grateful to be part of a team dedicated to delivering exceptional work.
What excites you the most about being an FWA judge?
It’s probably the exposure I get to different types of projects. I get a real-time bird’s eye view of some of the most interesting and inspiring work from across the globe.
In your opinion, what makes a project worthy of an FWA?
To me, it all boils down to the user experience (UX). If I’m judging a website, I try to put myself in the user’s shoes to map out their journey throughout the website. Work that’s worthy of an FWA offers users a seamless, engaging, and valuable experience.
That being said, the true differentiator between a good website and a great one lies in the nitty gritty details. By that I mean anything that leaves a lasting impression, whether it’s eye-catching design, powerful animations, or a hyper-personalized experience. You know what they say - the devil is in the details.
And of course I’m eager to know how you apply your insights from your work for FWA to your work at DPDK and vice versa?
Judging FWA projects gives me great insights into what’s happening within the industry. It helps me stay up to date with the latest trends and design opportunities. At the same time, it gives me a good sense of what ideas and projects brands are willing to invest in.
