International Design Review Graduation Projects

By project Design 4 Innovation

Published on 31 August 2022

Poland

Śląskie

About this good practice

Graduation Projects is a review of projects created by graduates of design studies from Central Europe: Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and citizens of these countries who study outside of the territory of the Visegrad Group. Both Bachelor and Master projects can be submitted. The projects are evaluated in two categories: 2D – applied graphic design and 3D – industrial.

The idea of this good practise is to present young designers in Europe and allow them to start the cooperation with potential customers. It is not a competition, there is no rankings or prizes. The jury selects works for the exhibition in Cieszyn and the diplomas are distinguished by a Polish-English catalogue publication, in an online presentation, and at exhibitions in other countries.

The beginning of GP started in 2002, when selected graduation projects from several Polish design universities were presented in the 2+3D quarterly magazine. In 2006 the regional design center Zamek Cieszyn joined in to organize regular exhibitions of the projects.
In 2010, the review acquired the name of “Graduation Projects” and an international character, as graduates from the Czech Republic and Slovakia were invited to participate, and Typo from the Czech Republic and 1977 from Slovakia joined the organizers. A year later, Hungary (Plusminus Visual Intelligence) became a participant.
In 2017, 3 international design centres joined the organizers: Hungarian Design Council, Czechdesign, and Slovak Design Centre.

Resources needed

- 3 to 4 people involved in the organization (employees of The Castle Cieszyn)
- review’s qualifying commission consist of representatives of all the Organizers, including thematic experts
- € 10.000,00 – costs of organization, promotion, catalogue publication, an online presentation and exhibition.

Evidence of success

Since its establishment in 2002, the International Design Review gives its participants the opportunity to integrate the design community, as well as a chance to get to know each other and compare individual achievements. Participation in the review becomes a launching pad for students' careers.
In the 20th GP edition of the review, 312 projects were submitted, 30 projects were qualified for the exhibition. 716 entrepreneurs and organizations that took part in the competition in all editions.

Potential for learning or transfer

The GPs has never been a competition: there are no rankings or money prizes, so it can be successfully implemented in other European regions. The Review gives an opportunity for graduates to get a chance on the market, and for businesses it is a great opportunity to discover new talents. All editions of the review exhibition travelled to design festivals and important design centres in Europe.
Such reviews are organised also by art schools at lower levels. They give an excellent opportunity to promote the achievements of their students, as well as providing an opportunity for cooperation between the universities and other institutions.
The pandemic is changing the world permanently. We observe a huge shifts in social, economic, technological and environmental priorities in regions. New projects designed by students from various universities can play an important role in pandemic and post-pandemic reality, when adaptation and user-centred innovation are more important than ever.