By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
The “Korea+Sweden Young Design Award (KSYDA),” a contest aiming to discover and nurture emerging Korean designers and foster design exchange between Korea and Sweden, marks its 5th round.
Co-hosted by IKEA Korea, the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul, and the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP), the contest was launched in 2019 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Sweden and has since become a key platform for collaboration and innovation.
The Korea+Sweden Young Design Award is grounded in three core values: “innovation,” “sustainability,” and “a better future.” It seeks to uncover original and creative design ideas while fostering a culture of sustainability.
This year’s theme, “Space and Interior Design for the Future,” invites participants to explore the growing prevalence of single-person households and the lifestyle changes accompanying this trend. Designers are encouraged to propose value-driven ideas that are both environmentally conscious and personalized, aligning with evolving social dynamics and modern lifestyle trends.
To be eligible, participants must be Korean nationals aged 34 or younger as of January 6, 2025. Submissions are open to various fields, including industrial, furniture, visual, UX/UI, spatial, and craft design, with the exception of food and music. Applications are accepted from January 20 to March 17, 2025, through the official contest website (www.ksyda.com).
Entries will be evaluated on creativity, aesthetic, relevance, and impact by a panel of 10 judges comprising design experts and opinion leaders from Korea and Sweden. Following an initial online screening, shortlisted entrants will undergo in-person evaluation and interviews for the final winner selection process. The top 3 winners will receive exclusive benefits, including a design tour in Sweden.
Isabel Puig, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at IKEA Korea, said, “We believe design goes beyond creation, to play a crucial role in improving lives and shaping a sustainable future” and continued, “We hope this contest offers young talented Korean designers the opportunity to explore innovative ideas that harmonize creativity and environmental sustainability.”
Karl-Olof Andersson, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Korea stated, “Korea+Sweden Young Design Award is a celebration of creativity and collaboration between our 2 nations. This year’s theme, ‘Space and Interior Design for the Future,’ invites young talents to envision innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of our modern world.” He continued, “With Sweden and Korea sharing a deep respect for design and innovation, I look forward to seeing the inspiring ideas that emerge from this competition.”
Meanwhile, Yoon Sang Heum, President of the Korea Institute of Design Promotion commented, “The theme, ‘Space and Interior Design for the Future,’ is a great opportunity for young designers to think about the future lifestyle and living spaces,” adding, “We will continue to work to provide promising designers with meaningful experiences based on design exchanges between Korea and Sweden.”
More detailed information about the contest and application process is available on the official Korea+Sweden Young Design Award website.
