2025 Gyeongnam K-Design Award Opens Global Competition with 29 Million KRW Prize Pool

The 2025 Gyeongnam K-Design Award has officially launched its competition cycle, inviting global creative professionals to participate in one of Asia's premier design competitions. Hosted by Gyeongsangnam-do Province and organized by the Gyeongnam Design Industry Association, this annual event serves as a significant platform for designers worldwide to showcase their innovative capabilities while addressing practical industry requirements.

This year's competition structure features two distinct tracks designed to cater to diverse creative approaches. 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 participants with nine real-world business challenges, including smart measurement systems development, brand identity (BI) design creation, and packaging design solutions that address actual market needs.

The competition offers substantial financial incentives, with a total prize pool exceeding 29 million KRW. 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 awards for two winners, Silver Prize for four recipients, and Bronze Prize for six designers, with separate acknowledgment categories for corporate entries and high school participants.

Participants can enter individually or form teams of up to four members, with no entry fee required, making the competition accessible to emerging talent worldwide. The selection process involves an initial online review, after which qualifying entries must submit physical prototypes between October 20-27, 2025. The competition culminates in an awards ceremony and public exhibition on December 17, where winners will be formally recognized and their work showcased to industry professionals and the public.

Selected award-winning works will gain additional exposure through participation in DESIGN KOREA 2025, a major design exhibition scheduled for November 12-16 at COEX in Seoul. This provides winners with valuable networking opportunities and potential commercial exposure within the Asian design market. For complete competition guidelines and submission requirements, participants can visit the official website at https://gnk-designaward.net.

The Gyeongnam K-Design Award represents more than just a competition; it functions as a bridge connecting creative talent with industry needs. As noted by competition organizers, the event aims to build a comprehensive design ecosystem that supports emerging designers while providing tangible pathways to global professional opportunities. This initiative reflects South Korea's growing influence in the global design landscape and its commitment to fostering international creative collaboration.