KT&G Sangsangmadang Hongdae, '2022 Design Challenge' Contest

Support for Production and Overseas Distribution of Selected Designs... Applications Open Until October 23

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] KT&G Sangsangmadang Hongdae announced on the 13th that it will open submissions for entries to the ‘2022 Design Challenge,’ which discovers and supports emerging domestic designers, until October 23.

Now in its 9th year, the ‘Design Challenge’ is a cultural contribution program operated by KT&G since 2013 to revitalize the domestic product design industry and widely promote Korean design in overseas markets. This year, it is co-hosted with the global design distribution company ‘Kikkerland,’ collaborating on the entire process from product ideation to overseas distribution.

The theme of this contest is ‘Re-visiting Korean heritage,’ and any witty and innovative household product designs inspired by Korea’s nature, tradition, and modern lifestyle are eligible to participate. However, electrical and electronic products, furniture, works that infringe on intellectual property rights, or those selected, produced, or distributed in other programs are excluded. Not only design majors but any creators with fresh ideas that fit the contest theme can apply. Detailed information about the contest can be found on the Sangsangmadang website.

The final winners will be announced in December after the first document screening, a development workshop for product production, and online and offline consumer voting. Winners will receive the benefit of signing a license contract with KT&G Sangsangmadang and having their products officially produced by Kikkerland. Additionally, the top two teams will receive prize money, have their products exhibited at KT&G Sangsangmadang Hongdae, and be given the opportunity to participate in the ‘2023 New York Design Week.’

Jihyoseok, head of KT&G’s Cultural Contribution Department, said, “We hope this contest will be an opportunity to discover talented emerging designers and support their creative activities,” adding, “We plan to actively contribute to the development of the domestic design industry by utilizing the infrastructure of ‘KT&G Sangsangmadang’ in the future.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.