Coming hot on the heels of Young Music Entrepreneur award, we’re now on a nationwide search for designers to take part in the Young Design Entrepreneur (IYDE) 09 award!

Eligibility
To participate in IYDE, you must:

• Be Malaysian aged between 25 and 35 (at the time of the UK tour in September 2009)
• Already work in the design sector (as defined below)
• Be entrepreneurial and have shown their ability and innovative approach to the promotion of design in their country, particularly in a commercial context.
• Through their character, drive and abilities demonstrate their potential to be a future leader of the design sector in their country
• Have a reasonable command of the English language

Design sector
To qualify, candidates must already be active professionally in the local design sector, as defined in the following fields:

• Architecture, interiors and environment
• Product design manufacture: furniture, industrial products and craft
• Design promotion: exhibitions, events, festivals and retail
• Consultants providing specialist services in any of the areas outlined

*Please note that from this year onwards graphic design is no longer defined as a field under Design– it is now under Communications*

Making the cut
Successful candidates will have a passion for their creative sector; display originality and confidence in their work, and an entrepreneurial drive to succeed in their field; they will be risk-takers and forward-thinking leaders, striving to make a difference in their field and for the local design industry. Candidates will be judged both on the evidence of their existing entrepreneurial skills and their potential to be an agent of change.

The bottom line is we are rewarding entrepreneurial ability – this is what makes IYDE unique. 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.  

The Prize!
Come September, along with finalists from 9 other countries, the Malaysian Young Design Entrepreneur will undertake a 10-day tour of the UK’s design sector. The tour will comprise visits, meetings, seminars, events and shows, including 100% Design and London Design Festival and a master class with an internationally renowned UK design entrepreneur (previously featured top UK designers Sir Terrence Conran and Tom Dixon).

It is during the visit also that all finalists make a presentation to the UK jury about their work and about their understanding of, and vision for, design in their country. The winner of the International Young Design Entrepreneur 2009 is then announced at 100% Design.

How to apply
Download the application form and return the completed form to us by Sunday 14 June 2009. Yes, it’s that simple!

Short listed candidates will then be invited to an interview session and make a presentation before a panel of judges comprising leading figures in the local design industry.

If you have further questions, send us an email or call 03 2723 7931/7988.

Submit your application to:

IYDE 2009
c/o Arts Team
British Council
Ground Floor, West Block
Wisma Selangor Dredging
142C, Jalan Ampang
50450, Kuala Lumpur

You can also email your application to us at arts@britishcouncil.org.my with IYDE 2009 in the subject heading. Good luck!