Hong Kong Design Centre

In an increasingly globalized world where competition is worldwide, young designers have to acquire an international exposure in order to stand out from the crowd. This echoes the mission of DFA Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award (HKYDTA) - to nurture burgeoning local designers by providing an opportunity to work in foreign design agencies or further their studies abroad. Since 2005, HKYDTA has supported around 80 young design practitioners and graduates to make the leap.

For millennials, design is the necessary tool to address future global challenges. We need a new generation of design practitioners who know design beyond aesthetics and see it as an attitude. To be the cream of the crop, they need a boundless mind and the confidence to create - which are what an international horizon can foster. Each year, the judging panel grants the HKYDTA accolade to young designers who show solid capability, versatility, resourcefulness and professional knowledge in their design work.

On top of garnering recognition and exposure, the awardees also win the opportunity to explore abroad with a self-proposed plan for 6-12 months. Many of the past HKYDTA recipients reflected that the overseas work attachments or studies opened up a new career path for them. Upon returning to Hong Kong with heaps of international insights, they have become the young guns propelling the development of our local design industry.

“Working in Jason Wu Studio in the United States was an once-in-a-lifetime and eye-opening experience! It makes me see that Hong Kong designers have the necessary competency to thrive in the international design scene.” said Nelson Leung, a HKYDTA 2014 awardee. Another awardee Him Ng added, “The DFA HKYDTA connected me to a Danish agency, Iskos-Berlin Design. The experience inspired me and I’m ready to contribute what I learned to the Hong Kong design industry.”

Sponsored and supported by Create Hong Kong, Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Design and other organizations, HKYDTA is dedicated to nurturing young local designers with discernible potential. The assessment is based on five criteria: potential contribution to Hong Kong, personal aspirations, effectiveness of communication, portfolio and overseas plan proposal. In 2017, a total of 17 candidates (8 practitioners and 9 graduates) were awarded and each granted up to HK$500,000 or HK$250,000 for overseas venture.

Eager to submit your application and seize your chance? You must be a Hong Kong permanent resident aged 35 or below, and a current design practitioner or fresh graduate in 2018. Get ready to show off your ambition and be the next up-and-coming design talent in town! Submit your portfolio and application now! The application deadline is 28 June 2018.

Meet our past awardees in this video gallery
https://dfaawards.com/video_gallery/

Details of online application
https://ydta.dfaawards.com/online_application/