We’re pleased to announce that the winner of the inaugural International Young Design Entrepreneur of the Year (IYDEY) award is Lanre Lawal, a graphic designer and filmmaker from Lagos, Nigeria.  He runs his own experimental graphic design and multimedia company, The Design Jockey Sessions. His prize is a stand at 100% Design in 2006 and money to spend on a design project in conjunction with the British Council in Lagos.

Speaking on behalf of the panel of judges, Max Fraser commented that "Lanre is charismatic and absolutely unapologetic about the difficulties of doing what he does under the conditions of Lagos. He’s done masses starting with very little in terms of any kind of infrastructure for design and the creative industries". A certficate, designed by graphic designer Alan Kitching, was presented to Lanre by Tom Dixon, Creative Director of Artec, during a packed ceremony at 100% Design on September 23rd.

The annual award champions creative entrepreneurship in design, particularly in difficult and developing markets. It is open to design entrepreneurs between twenty-five and thirty-five and recognises extraordinary achievement and potential. This year's ten finalists, selected by British Council staff and local partners overseas, hailed from Argentina, India, Lithuania, Lebanon, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and Thailand, and from a wide range of sectors including architecture, graphic design, product design, digital media, design promotion and marketing.

Throughout September the finalists took part in a tour of London and Glasgow design industries and participated in a range of events at the London Design Festival. The programme included a masterclass with Sir Terrence Conran, Britain’s original Young Design Entrepreneur. The finalists also exhibited their work at our stand at 100% Design, which was conceived by graphic designer Daniel Eatock.

The award winner was be selected by a panel of British design critics and entrepreneurs including Nick Crosbie, product designer and founder of Inflate, Max Fraser, journalist, curator and author, Ian Rudge, Managing Director of 100% Design and Stuart MacDonald, Director of The Lighthouse, Scotland’s centre for design and architecture.

The 10 finalists are as follows:

Argentina - Hernán Braberman
Design sector: Packaging and Product design
Design Director / Creative Partner, Tridimage / 3D Packaging image Design
www.tridimage.com/
hernan@tridimage.com

India - Neil Foley
Design sector: Industrial design and lifestyle design
Product designer, Neil Foley Designs
www.neilfoleydesigns.com
www.coroflot.com/neilfoley
neilfoleydesigns@rediffmail.com

Lebanon - Raëd Abillama
Design sector: Architecture; industrial/furniture design
Principal architect, Raëd Abillama Architects; Director, A.C.I.D. (Abillama Chaya Industrial Design)
www.raarchitects.com
raed@raarchitects.com

Lithuania - Beatrice Vanagaite
Design sector: Product marketing and PR for industrial design
Director of Marketing and PR, AB Snaige
www.snaige.lt/en/?id=1
beatrice.vanagaite@snaige.lt
beatrice.vanagaite@gmail.com

Nigeria - Lanre Lawal
Design sector: experimental graphic design, animation, multimedia
Director / Projects Director, Design Jockey Sessions │ DJ Studios
www.thedesignjockeysessions.com
alphabets99@yahoo.com
dj@thedesignjockeysessions.com

Philippines - Jay Aldeguer
Design sector: Retail/graphic design (souvenirs), design promotion (media, including TV, magazine publishing, etc.)
President, Aldeguer Group of Companies, including: President, Islands Souvenirs, Inc. and Island Souvenirs International
jaldeguer@skyinet.net

Poland - Elżbieta Skrzypek
Design sector: Graphic design
Creative Director, Designer, co-owner Studio BAKALIE
www.studiobakalie.pl
Ela@studiobakalie.pl

Romania - Carla Szabo
Design sector: Interior design consultancy, design promotion, jewellery design
Owner/designer, Carla Szabo Design (interior design services and consultancy); Owner/designer,Zebra Society (retail outlet promoting Romanian fashion, graphic, soft furnishing and other interior design)
www.carlaszabo.com
c@carlaszabo.com

Slovenia - Nika Zupanc
Design Sector: Product design
Freelance product designer and art director
www.nika-zupanc.net (as of mid-September)
nika.zupanc@siol.net

Thailand - Peerachat Prajeeyachat
Design sector: Industrial design, brand strategy/communication
Director, Design Life-saver co., Ltd.
www.designlifesaver.com
pprajeeya@designlifesaver.com

For more information on the award and our stand at 100% Design, please contact Anna.Mears@britishcouncil.org