Samsung Electronics and global design and architecture magazine Dezeen have unveiled their latest global design competition seeking to acknowledge the value of sustainability.

The Re: Create Design Challenge will see contestants worldwide come up with original creative ideas for reusing, recycling and upcycling old Samsung devices or their materials.

Samsung and Dezeen are offering a total of £18,000 (an equivalent of Sh3.2 million) in prize money

Re: Create Design Challenge

The Re: Create Design Challenge captures what Samsung Electronics says are ongoing efforts by the company to make its products and services more sustainable.

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The entrants are encouraged to propose innovative ideas to repurpose old devices or waste materials by converting them into new products or services that can benefit people and the planet.

Innovative ideas include Samsung’s EYELIKE™ project, where old smartphones are converted into medical diagnosis cameras; the latest Galaxy devices featuring a design that integrates recycled plastic from discarded fishing nets.

The others include the SolarCell Remote, which incorporates recycled materials for 24 per cent of its plastic component and is powered by light instead of usual disposable batteries.

“We live in an era of uncertainty and unlimited opportunity, especially for design creatives," said TM Roh, President and Head of Corporate Design Center at Samsung Electronics.

He added, “Samsung believes in the power of creativity, and our future needs to be protected and transformed through meaningful and sustainable innovations. We hope this competition provides a spark that leads to impactful change for all of us.”

Entry Requirements

The challenge is free for anyone over 18 years of age in any country, and whether they are professional designers, students, or people with no formal training in design.

Those interested can visit Dezeen’s official website for full details on the competition and submit their ideas by July 19, 2023 at 23:59 GMT.

Selecting Winners

Submitted ideas will be subjected to several rounds of evaluation along these 4 criteria;

• Innovation (How original is the idea?)

• Problem-solving (Does the idea propose meaningful solutions to improve people’s lives?)

• Social and Environmental Impact (How will the idea positively impact people and the planet?)

• Human-centred design (How well does the idea fit with Samsung’s design philosophy and resonate with its products or the lifestyles of Samsung consumers?)

After the preliminary rounds, those shortlisted will be announced in August with an expert panel of Dezeen editors and design professionals to pick the winner and two runners-up.

The winning individual or group will pocket £10,000 (about Sh1.8 million) grand prize, while the two runners-up will each take home cash prizes of £4,000 (approximately Sh704,000).