The British Council is holding the International Young Design Entrepreneur of the Year (IYDEY) award programme for the second time, to champion and celebrate the importance of creative entrepreneurs working in the field of design – showcasing individual achievement and potential. IYDEY is awarded in partnership with 100% Design, London’s international trade fair for furniture and interiors.

IYDEY was launched in 2005, where ten young design entrepreneurs from Argentina, India, Lebanon, Lithuania, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Thailand took part in the first year of the programme.  Lanre Lawal, an experimental graphic designer and filmmaker from Lagos, Nigeria was presented with the inaugural prize by Tom Dixon at a packed award ceremony at 100% Design. More details about last year’s award can be found at: http://www.britishcouncil.org/arts-aad-design-cross-disciplinary-iydey.htm

‘IYDEY broadened my scope about the importance of design; its social and economic nature in the whole scheme of things to understand that it is hugely viable as an economic tool and can create massive industries from scratch.’ Lanre Lawal, IYDEY 2005 winner, Nigeria

‘The highlight of the IYDEY experience was meeting so many interesting and talented people from such different backgrounds and to have such a wonderful opportunity to present my work on an international level in such a creative and important platform as 100% design no less as a chance to visit London itself, the city which gave birth to the ‘creative industries.’ Nika Zupanc, IYDEY finalist Slovenia

About 100% Design

In 2006, the 100% Design International Trade Fair will take place in London from 21-24 September. It is the UK’s largest and most respected commercial interior design fair and the only exhibition of its kind where exhibitors are selected by jury. It has developed an impressive worldwide reputation by promoting great design for more than ten years.  Over the past decade it has helped change the face of the international design industry and 100% is now a worldwide brand recognised for making an enormous contribution to the vitality of the design industry.

For more information please see their website: http://www.100percentdesign.co.uk

Ownership of the award

The award has been created by the British Council and all intellectual property rights relating to the award will be vested in the British Council.

IYDEY is part of International Young Creative Entrepreneur (IYCE) programme, including awards in publishing (IYPY) and music (IYMEY). The IYCE award programme is unique in that it rewards the talent and initiative of young creative entrepreneurs from across the creative industries. Award programmes for creative talent are common but this programme is unique in that it recognises the central role of young creative entrepreneurs in the development of a competitive and sustainable creative economy.  The programme reflects an understanding of the creative economy as a tool in extending cultural engagement and supporting cultural diversity, through the development of a strong independent creative sector.

Organiser

The award in China is organised by the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Beijing and the Cultural and Education Section of the British Consulate-General in Guangzhou.