BE OPEN presents the new tour of YOUNG TALENT AWARD – this year the initiative unites several continents under the topic of GRAPHIC DESIGN. The jurors and participants represent Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, UK, USA and New Zealand.
The candidates have presented their best works to the judgment of high-profile international jury, who are to select the long-list of 30 names. After that the jurors will vote to form the short-list, out of which three winners will be then defined:
- Main winner will be chosen by the jury voting and will receive a 16 000 Euro prize;
- BE OPEN Founder Elena Baturina will name the Founder’s choice winner with a 5 000 Euro prize;
- Web choice winner will be chosen by online voting on BE OPEN Facebook page – 2 000 Euro prize.
As explained by BE OPEN Founder Elena Baturina: “We believe that incubating talent is vital in the design sphere, helping new designers get a firmer foothold on the career ladder through contacts made within our professional networks, and also through giving them the time they need to develop their thinking without too much of financial pressure – or, in fact, to have the luxury of ‘being open’ to new ideas. That is the founding principle behind everything BE OPEN does – taking the risk of supporting great ideas that have the potential to change the way we live.”
The new tour of YTA is implemented in partnership with CUMULUS International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media, curated by Luisa Collina, full professor, president of CUMULUS International Association. Cumulus is the only global association to serve art and design education and research. It is a forum for partnership and transfer of knowledge and best practices. Cumulus consists currently of 226 members from 49 countries.
Presented for the first time during Milan Design week in 2014, YOUNG TALENT AWARD is a grant given to young designers selected by a jury of experts. The aim of award is to support young professionals, allowing them to concentrate on creative process and bring to life their sparkling ideas. The YOUNG TALENT AWARD is part of BE OPEN Inside the Academy platform, the innovative approach to supporting creative education from study through to professional practice, through an awards scheme, a master class program and a ranking system. The award is a grant to support young designers day-to-day living expenses over a year, helping them develop their work at this critical early stage in their career. Described as an ‘incubator for young talent’, seeking out designers who have only recently completed their studies and are making their first steps in a design career, the award will allow the winner to continue working at their own pace, experiment with both practical and conceptual projects.