£30,000 prize for creative students and graduates in new ‘Designed for Business’ competition

University students in their final year of creative studies from across the UK are invited to enter a new, national competition to win £30,000.

The ground-breaking initiative is a joint project between the Society for British & International Design (SBID), and BE OPEN, the humanitarian think tank founded by international philanthropist and entrepreneur Elena Baturina.

Graduates from four different disciplines: Interior Design, Decoration, Fashion, Art & Design are now invited to submit their entries for ‘Designed for Business’– the life-changing, equal-opportunity competition that will showcase and nurture emerging talent, as well as providing an essential link between creative academia and the business community.

With the support of leading names from across the world of art, design, interiors and fashion, judges will present the overall winner with a cash prize of £30,000. In addition, winners from each category will receive £1,000, and recognition for their university.

Category winners will be announced on October 29^th, 2018, with the overall winner selected from all entries set to be announced at a glittering awards ceremony in London the following month.

The competition is now open, and students have until Friday 31^stof August to submit their entry through the competition webpage. Students from across the creative industries are also invited to nominate their Course Leader for the Visionary Tutor 2018award.

Judges are looking for qualities such as originality of expression, individualism, creative use of materials and presentation skills. Each student, or graduate, may emailone submission per category: Art, Fashion, Interior Design, Product Design, and Interior Decoration.

SBID founder Dr Vanessa Brady OBE, says: “We are delighted to launch this competition for the benefit of universities, students and support of industry members. SBID recognises the time, research and financial cost invested in esteemed university education. The outcome of this competition is aimed at increasing the opportunity to gain employment from the most prestigious, innovative and creative companies from local, national and global communities – including both well-established and start-up organisations. As a core value SBID and BE OPEN strongly believe in highlighting student activities and the potential the experience brings.”

BE OPEN founder Elena Baturina, says: “We are honoured and excited to collaborate with SBID on such an important project. BE OPEN’s central ethos is about supporting people and ideas that can change lives for the better. We strongly believe in the potential of the young, creative generation, their ability to look at the world with fresh eyes and find solutions no one has ever found before. That is why it is vital to give them the support they need to bring their ideas to fruition – and that is what we are happy to do.”

For details on how to enter or for more information, visit sbid.org/student-competition or beopenfuture.com/sbid

The Society of British and International Design (SBID) is the standard bearer organisation for the Interior Design profession across the UK, Europe and around the world. It is the professional accrediting body for the Interior Design industry supporting professional and trading standards of Interior Designers, Architects and manufacturers. They achieve this by guiding and measuring the profession through practice, competence and education; setting the standard for the industry at large to develop future growth. 

BE OPEN is a humanitarian initiative that aims to harness the brainpower of creative leaders through a system of conferences, competitions, exhibitions, master classes and art events. BE OPEN was founded by the businesswoman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Elena Baturina. Elena has played an active role in charitable causes for many years, supporting projects in the field of culture, education, arts, and design internationally.She also serves as Vice-President for Maggie’s, a UK-based charity that offers free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer.

Since its founding in 2012, BE OPEN has been exploring unique ways of fostering creativity and innovation to support a better future. The foundation has implemented its programmes and projects globally; its bespoke exhibitions, talks and forums have taken place in the UK, US, Italy, Switzerland and India and been witnessed by over 130,000 people. More than 740 designers have been involved in the foundation’s projects.