Top design figures in architecture, photography, art and beyond had already been informed of their selection as winners in the 2011 Stars of Design competition. But the excitement continued Wednesday night as New Yorker Charles S. Cohen, president and CEO of Decorative Center Houston, presented the awards in ceremonies at the Decorative Center.

Recipients were selected by a panel of past winners, who are experts in the fields of art, architecture and design. The judges were interior designer P. Joe Shaffer, John Casbarian and Danny Samuels of Taft Architects, artist Aaron Parazette, Paula Savage of Hansen, Savage, Inc., Melissa Borrell of Melissa Borrell Design and Keiji Asakura of Asakura Robinson Co.

Taking bows in the category of Lifetime Achievement is Guy Jackson of Jackson & Ryan Architects, recognized for his award-winning architectural projects that have included the Children's Museum of Houston, Looscan Library, Bo's Place and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The firm's body of work includes hospitality, civic, commercial and residential projects.

Natalye Appel received top honors in the field of architecture where she has distinguished herself through a significant body of work.

Artist Dixie Friend Gay won in the category of art and is acknowledged in particular for her public art commissions including those at George Bush International Airport, the Port of Miami, the Indianapolis International Airport and Texas A&M in Galveston.

Craig Minor, principal of Minor Design, won for graphic design, Richard Holley for interior design, Timothy Adcock of Thompson & Hanson for landscape design and Paul Hester of Hester + Hardaway Photographers, specializing in architectural photography, in the field of photography.

David Hall Hodges, who lives in Dripping Springs where he focuses on creating handmade exotic skin accessories for men and women, won in the jewelry design category.