Gyeongnam K-Design Award 2025 Opens Global Competition with Focus on Industry Integration

The 2025 Gyeongnam K-Design Award has commenced its full-scale operations with the opening of the first-round online application period. Hosted by Gyeongsangnam-do Province and organized by the Gyeongnam Design Industry Association, this competition serves as a premier platform for both domestic and international designers to showcase their creative and practical capabilities.

This year's competition structure features two primary tracks: the Open Theme Category, which includes five distinct design disciplines, and the Corporate Proposal Task Category that directly addresses real-world business requirements. Designers may participate individually or in teams of up to four members, with no entry fee required, making the competition accessible to emerging talent worldwide.

The Open Theme Category encompasses 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 connect directly with industry needs.

The competition offers significant 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 for two winners, Silver Prize for four winners, and Bronze Prize for six winners, with separate awards designated for corporate and high school divisions.

Entries that successfully pass the initial online review must submit physical prototypes between October 20-27, 2025. Winners will be officially announced and their works showcased at the awards ceremony and public exhibition scheduled for 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 this initiative represents more than just another design competition—it builds a design ecosystem that directly connects with industry requirements. The association is committed to supporting emerging designers and providing them with a gateway to global opportunities through this platform. For complete competition details and application information, designers can visit the official website at https://gnk-designaward.net.