The 2025 Gyeongnam K-Design Award has officially opened its application period, inviting global creative talent to participate in one of Asia's premier design competitions. Hosted by Gyeongsangnam-do Province and organized by the Gyeongnam Design Industry Association, the competition serves as a significant platform for both domestic and international designers to showcase their creativity and practical design solutions.
This year's competition features two distinct tracks designed to address both creative freedom and real-world industry needs. The Open Theme Category encompasses five 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 including smart measurement systems, brand logo (BI) design, and packaging design solutions that directly address business requirements.
The competition offers substantial financial incentives with over 29 million KRW in total prize money. The Grand Prize winner will receive 10 million KRW along with the prestigious Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award. Additional recognition includes Gold Prize (2 winners), Silver Prize (4 winners), and Bronze Prize (6 winners), with separate categories for corporate and high school divisions. Designers can participate individually or in teams of up to four members, with no entry fee required, making the competition accessible to emerging talent.
According to competition organizers, entries that advance through the initial online review must submit physical prototypes between October 20-27, 2025. Winners will be announced and showcased at the awards ceremony and public exhibition on December 17. Selected works will also be featured in a collaborative exhibition at DESIGN KOREA 2025, taking place November 12-16 at COEX in Seoul, providing additional exposure and networking opportunities.
A spokesperson from the Gyeongnam Design Industry Association emphasized the competition's broader significance, stating that they are building a design ecosystem that connects directly with industry needs while supporting emerging designers and providing them with a gateway to global opportunities. For complete competition details and application information, designers can visit the official website at https://gnk-designaward.net.
