HONOR has launched its prestigious HONOR Talents – Global Design Awards program with a pilot initiative in Romania. This marks the first step towards a planned expansion across the CEE&Nordics region, inviting young artists and designers to explore the intersection of art, technology, and innovation. Discover more.
For the first time, Romania hosts a dedicated local stage within this global competition – HONOR Talents: NextGen Creators Romania – through which Romanian creatives can become part of an international community and contribute to defining the aesthetics of the future. The competition is open to students, professionals, and digital art enthusiasts across various creative industries, including graphic design, product design, and new media. The local stage was launched in innovative collaborations with academic and industry partners like The Institute, Romania’s leading platform for creative industries, and the University of Architecture and Urbanism “ION MINCU” – Faculty of Design.
“I’m very pleased to see HONOR Talents’ launch in CEE&Nordics region starting from Romania. This global program offers young artists and designers a real platform to inspire creativity and empower next generations with technology as an authentic form of self-expression. I’m passionate about working together with our partners to leverage the resources we have to support, empower and incubate more creative forces, showcasing their ability to create authentic designs,” said Leila LI, CMO of HONOR Technology CEE & Nordics Region.
CEE&Nordics: An Emerging Creative Hub for Innovation
Sharing a common drive for evolution and appetite for technology in general, Eastern Europe is rapidly evolving into one of Europe’s most exciting territories for creative arts, design, and innovation. In Croatia, this potential is manifested in the dynamic IT and startup scene and the developed creative design industry, which creates fertile ground for the rapid adoption of global technological and artistic trends. HONOR aims to build on this momentum by fostering cross-border collaboration and elevating local artists to global visibility.
Open Call for Regional Creativity
Following the Romania pilot, HONOR plans to expand the HONOR Talents program to additional CEE and Nordic Markets in 2026, creating a connected creative platform for next-gen creators across the region. Until then, each country can still submit registration under the European platform, which is available here. This year, the competition explores the connection between technology, creativity, and creators’ vision of the modern world through four design themes that reflect cultural diversity and the spirit of innovation:
- Cultural Prosperity – Celebration: A celebration of traditions and symbols that shape different cultures around the world.
- Renewal of Life – Return: A reflection on the relationship between people, environment, and nature.
- Genesis – The Future: An invitation to imagine a world where technology and art co-create human progress.
- Youth Convergence – Integration: A call for global cultural exchange seen through the perspective of the new generation.
Competition’s Design Categories
Depending on the chosen theme, participants can submit their works in one of the competition’s four design categories:
- Themes: Graphic design and interface for smartphones and tablets, including wallpapers, icons, and creative animations.
- Watches: Interface and custom strap design for HONOR smartwatches, combining style with functionality.
- Accessories and Design Objects: Original creations for cases, lifestyle objects, and accessories integrated into the HONOR ecosystem.
- Art and Technology: Interactive installations, AR concepts, and digital works exploring the boundary between art and innovation.
Winners will gain international visibility with HONOR products, and opportunities to exhibit globally – including visits to China and potential collaboration with HONOR’s global R&D Design Teams.
Melissa Chen, Head of User Experience (UX), HONOR France, and MagicOS Branding Design Team, emphasized that HONOR aims to create a collaborative artistic ecosystem. “Leveraging its cutting-edge design and technological aesthetics, HONOR will provide professional advice and plan collaborations, including at future Design Week event, to promote high-quality Romanian art on international platforms“, concluded Chen.
All participants who register through the official European platform will be evaluated by the global HONOR Talents jury, composed of recognized specialists and professionals in design, art, and technology.
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