British Council is searching for a talented young Thai Entrepreneur to represent our country in International Young Designer Entrepreneur of the Year in the UK along with other representatives from 9 countries.  As a representative of Thailand, you will have a chance to be in London for an all-expense-paid 10-day visit and also have a chance to attend the 100% Design exhibition.  Prior to this, the programme will take all 10 finalists to meet leaders of the design sectors during September 2007.

Application deadline 15 June 2007

Design sector definition

For the purpose of this award participants can be drawn from any of the following sectors:

			Architecture, interiors and environment
			Graphic design: communication, publishing, branding and multimedia
			Product design: furniture, industrial products and craft
			Interactive and digital media
			Design promotion: retail, exhibitions, events and festivals

Criteria for Applicants

			Be aged between 25 and 35
			Already work in the design sector (as defined above)
			Be entrepreneurial and have shown their ability in 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 sector in their country
			Good conversational level of English as the participant is expected to make a presentation in front of judging panel

How to apply

All the information and the application form will be available from the British Council.  You can also download the application form from our website from 1 May 2007 to 15 June 2007

Presentation

The finalists will be interviewed and asked to make a presentation about their vision for Thailand’s design industry to the judging panel.  The presentation will be containing written and visual material.  Broadly, the presentation should include:

			Background of national design industry & understanding of current situation/issues within it.
			Description of your own work as a design entrepreneur
			How your own work sits in context in the national industry/situation
			Your wider vision for your own work and domestic design world – demonstrating how you are a leader within it.
			How the IYDEY prize would benefit you and your work
			Inherent within this should be a demonstration of how they successfully marry the commercial and creative aspects or your work – and understanding of business with the creative ability to drive your company forward – to qualify as an ‘International young creative entrepreneur’

What will be expected of participants

We are looking for finalists who have an international outlook, who are keen to come to the UK to find out about UK design, and to enjoy this shared experience with the rest of their fellow finalists.  The following will be expected the IYDEY participants:

			Active participation in the UK tour, including research prior to meetings
			Preparation of materials for BC promotion of IYDEY and to be presented at 100% Design
			20 minute presentation in front of a judging panel, followed by question & answer session.
			Cooperation with British Council in-country and in the UK throughout the planning process- including provision of required information, etc., and the UK visit.
			A positive, eager attitude throughout the process

Prize

			The winner will represent Thailand, and will compete with representatives from 9 other countries in September 2007 in London, UK.  He or she will be in London for 10-day visit and also have a chance to attend the 100% Design exhibition.  Prior to this, the programme will take all ten finalists to meet leaders of the design sector in the UK.
			During their stay in London, all finalists will be interviewed and asked to repeat their presentation on their vision for their country’s design industry.
			The winner of the award of International Young Design Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced at an awards ceremony on the final day of 100% Design. There will be two elements to the prize:     1.a financial award (we anticipate this being around £7,500), which will be linked to the UK and tailored to the winner’s specific needs. For example it might allow him/her to take a (series of) short training course(s) in the UK, or allow them to do a postgraduate course at a UK institution, or help fund a placement in UK industry, or allow them to bring over a series of UK specialists to run workshops etc. in their home country. The winner will be encouraged to come up with their own proposal.     2.a stand at 100% Design 2008

For more information, please contact
Mallika Iamla-or or Laila Bunnag
Tel 02 6525480 ext 108, 203