2008 International Young Design Entrepreneur of the Year competition

Applicants should:
•Be aged between 25 and 35
•Already be working in the design sector (see sector list below)
•Be entrepreneurial and have shown their ability in the promotion of South African design, in either a commercial or public context, or both
•Through their character, drive and abilities demonstrate their potential to be a future leader of the sector in their country
•Have English language skills to IELTS 6 - ‘competent user' or above
Download information and the application form from www.britishcouncil.org/africa

Design sector definition:

Participants will be drawn from any of the following sectors:
•Architecture, interiors and environment
•Graphic design: communication, publishing, branding and multimedia
•Product design manufacture: furniture, industrial products and craft
•Interactive and digital media
•Design promotion: exhibitions, events, festivals and retail

Please email your application by 30 June 2008 to Andrea Ogle at: . Mark the subject line of the email "2008 IYDEY application material.”
Feel free to attach your CV or copy/photo of your work.

About the International Young Design Entrepreneur (IYDE) Award 2008:
In 2008 the British Council will present the International Young Design Entrepreneur (IYDE) award for the fourth time. IYDE champions and celebrates the importance of creative entrepreneurs working in the field of design. It is awarded in partnership with 100% Design (http://www.100percentdesign.co.uk/), London's international trade fair for furniture and interiors.

IYDE was presented for the first time in 2005, and since then 30 young design entrepreneurs from 17 countries have so far taken part in the programme, building an active alumni network in the process.

10 international finalists for the award will visit the UK in September 2008 to undertake a common programme where they will take part in valuable networking both with key UK design sector partners and amongst their IYDE peers.

The IYDE awards are unique in rewarding entrepreneurial ability. We recognise that a finalist may be active as a designer, however his/her work as an artist should be secondary to their focus as an entrepreneur in the promotion of the design industry in their country. Artistic talent will not be factored into the judging procedure - finalists will be judged solely on the merit of their entrepreneurial abilities in the industry.

For the purpose of this awards programme we define a creative entrepreneur as follows:

• Somebody working in the creative industries who is able to demonstrate business success in the classic terms of business growth (profit, market share, employees) and/or in terms of their reputation (quality and aesthetic) amongst their peers.

• Somebody working in the creative industries who has developed a successful (in terms of impact and reach) social or not-for-profit enterprise in this sector.
• Somebody working in the creative industries who has shown leadership in the industry by championing its development in their country.
• Somebody working in the creative industries who has developed initiatives (exhibitions, trade fairs etc) that develop and grow the market for a particular creative sector in their country.

Defining a creative entrepreneur:

Please note: The IYDE awards are unique in rewarding entrepreneurial ability. We recognise that a finalist may be active in the creative process, but this should be secondary to their focus as an entrepreneur in the promotion of their creative sector in their country. Artistic talent will not be factored into the judging procedure - finalists will be judged solely on the merit of their entrepreneurial abilities in the industry.

Note: the following dates are tentative and could change slightly
Monday 07 July IYDE winner announced
September IYDE UK Industry Tour
September 18 -21 100% Design

UK Tour, 100% Design
In September 2008, the 8-10 finalists will arrive in the UK for an approx. 12 day tour of the national design industry, which will culminate in attending 100% Design (18-21 September 2008) and London Design Festival (September 2008, specific dates still to be confirmed).

This programme, which is created with UK partners, will take them to London and Glasgow to meet leaders of the design sector and will comprise visits to designers, design-lead retailers and manufacturers, publishers and cultural institutions active in the procurement of design and architecture.

100% Design 100% Design is one of the world's most important contemporary interior design exhibitions presenting the latest in furniture, lighting, and accessories. The fair is the UK's premier contemporary interiors event for the contract market. Whilst at 100% Design they will:

Be promoted in a display about the IYDE award and their work at the British Council stand and in a printed brochure to be distributed at the Fair.

Presentation of work. All finalists will be given the opportunity to promote a piece of design from their country at the BC stand in 100% Design. All finalists will be asked to choose a design piece from their country not yet available in the UK yet but that they believe could have a UK and wider international appeal. Experts from our Design team will select several pieces to be presented at our curated stand at 100% Design.

During IYDE we anticipate finalists will:

•Take part in a showcase opportunity at 100% Design to promote a piece of work or innovation in design from their country which they feel is of interest to the UK and wider international market.
•Website showcase. In addition, work selected for the showcase will also be featured on our Creative Economy webpage (www.creativeconomy.org.uk) for visitors to vote for their favourite.