Global Design Competition Offers Platform for Creative Talent with Industry Connections

The 2025 Gyeongnam K-Design Award has launched its first-round online application period, offering global creative talent a significant platform to demonstrate both creativity and practical design solutions. Hosted by Gyeongsangnam-do Province and organized by the Gyeongnam Design Industry Association, this competition serves as a premier event connecting designers with real industry requirements and opportunities.

This year's competition structure features two main tracks designed to cater to diverse design expertise. The Open Theme Category encompasses five distinct design disciplines: Product & Craft Design, Visual & Information Design, Digital Content Design, Spatial/Environmental/Service Design, and the increasingly relevant AI-Integrated Design category. The Corporate Proposal Task Category presents nine specific real-world projects that address actual business challenges, including smart measurement systems, brand logo (BI) design development, and innovative packaging design solutions.

Participants can enter individually or form teams of up to four members, with no financial barrier to entry as the competition requires no entry fee. The substantial prize pool totals over 29 million KRW, with the Grand Prize winner receiving 10 million KRW along with the prestigious Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award. Additional recognition includes Gold Prize for two winners, Silver Prize for four winners, and Bronze Prize for six winners, with separate awards designated for corporate and high school divisions to encourage participation across experience levels.

The competition timeline requires entries that advance through the initial online review to submit physical prototypes between October 20-27, 2025. Winners will be officially announced and showcased during the awards ceremony and public exhibition scheduled for December 17. Selected works will gain additional exposure through a collaborative exhibition at DESIGN KOREA 2025, taking place November 12-16 at COEX in Seoul, providing winners with valuable industry visibility.

According to competition organizers, this initiative represents more than just another design contest. A spokesperson from the Gyeongnam Design Industry Association emphasized that they are building a comprehensive design ecosystem that directly connects creative talent with industry needs. The association's commitment extends to supporting emerging designers and providing them with tangible gateways to global opportunities. For complete competition details and application information, designers can visit the official website at https://gnk-designaward.net.