Design 32: best design diploma projects of 2022
Eight Polish public universities each presented the best four design diplomas from the last year.
Design 32 does not mean only prestige and a chance to accelerate the graduate’s career, it is also material support. The pool of prizes is over PLN 40,000, and thanks to the patronage of the OPPO brand, there are also prizes in kind.
Design 32 is a review of what is most interesting in Polish young design taught at eight Polish public art schools. Each of them has a different educational program, which translates into a wide spectrum of topics and a multifaceted design ideas as well as a wealth of forms. At the same time, the Best Design Diploma Projects of Academies of Fine Arts competition and the exhibition show the specific language of young design: a language that is the result of different characters of the participants and their ways of perceiving the world, a language in which functionality is intertwined with aesthetics, and a sense of humor allows you to break the spell of often difficult topics. Every year, Design 32 checks the pulse of young design, detects tendencies and trends and gives strong personalities a chance to show themselves.
The winners were selected by: Tomasz Augustyniak, Agata Kulik-Pomorska, Paweł Sokół, Dorota Stępniak, Mikołaj Wierszyłłowski. The OPPO brand presented its own award. The additional City and Design award is granted by the GZM Metropolis.
The following prizes were awarded in this year's competition:
Rectors’ Award – Kamila Raeder, Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk
Award of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage – Kornelia Biały, Art Academy in Szczecin
Award of the Marshal of the Silesian Voivodship – Krzysztof Stępniewski, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Award of the Mayor of the City of Katowice – Marianna Lamenta, Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz
Award of the Patron: OPPO – Zuzanna Mażul, Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław
City and Design Award of GZM Metropolis – Maria Jarzyna, Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice
Honourable mention – Mohammadali Sharifian Dorchech, Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice
Honourable mention – Agata Werochowska, Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk,
Honourable mention – Renata Ramola-Piórkowska, Art. Academy in Szczecin,
Honourable mention – Marta Jagoda-Błaszczak and Oliwia Michniewska, Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice
The jury decided that all winning works should be viewed holistically, as an important and varied set of projects. The first two diplomas that won award are part of an area where a comprehensive, reliable design process preceded by a solid analysis and responding to real needs stands in opposition to the creation of future scenarios in which the combination of passion and specialist knowledge enables the creation of a new design field.
The second group of diplomas deals with aspects related to social problems, taboo topics, shows sensitivity to ethical and identity issues. The works break stereotypes, destigmatize mental illness, are an expression of empathy, and at the same time draw attention to excluded or misunderstood groups.
The four works awarded honourable mentions propose solutions and tools for communicating bodily needs and for including stakeholders in participatory processes; they pay attention to the conscious and environmental design of virtual space, as well as to the issues of crossing borders and building a community.