Whoop - here it is!
The 2024 edition of our Young Designer Competition has commenced and entries are officially closed. 🥳
This year is BIGGER than ever. Something Good Studio and Romaria Knitwear have partnered up.
To call the previous editions of this competition a phenomenon would be an understatement. As Something Good Studio partners with Romaria Knitwear, we become two small businesses weaving forward together to make a BIG impact.
Together, we called all emerging creatives to show us their clever ways. Our aim is to encourage youth entrepreneurship and creativity, potentially opening doors to future success and well-deserved recognition.
The 2024 competition is officially closed.
Thank you to all creatives who participated!
Who can enter
Aspiring young designers aged 25 years or younger. South African residents only. Kindly submit proof of identity along with your artwork.
What to expect
All patterns will go through various phases of selection leading up to the nomination of the top 10 finalists. The selected patterns will move forward into the product design phase where each finalist will receive product design mentorship until their designs have been signed off. The winning designs will be translated into a capsule collection of both homeware and knitwear to become part of our 2024/2025 Young Designer Programme to be sold worldwide.
WHAT TO ENTER
This year, we would like to challenge you with a theme named: Inside Out. This is NB! We are looking for a repeat pattern consisting of two colours only. If your design exceeds two colours, it will be rejected. Your design should be blanket shaped (A4 page size). You are welcome to submit as many designs as you like.
The theme could be applied literally (think reversible) or figuratively, there are no boundaries beyond two colours. 😉
Before
After
How to enter
1. Set up your two colour pattern in a A4 size, JPG format
2. Name each JPG pattern entry with your name & surname, followed by the sequence. Example: MichelleSmit01
3. Please send your pattern/s via e-mail to assist@somethinggoodstudio.com along with a copy of your ID. You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your entry (we're a small team so please bear with us).
Share the news far and wide by tagging us on the socials:
Something Good Studio Instagram: @smtnggoodstudio
Romaria Knitwear Instagram: @romaria_knitwear
When to enter
Entries close on 30 September 2024. The top 10 finalists will be contacted by 30 October 2024. If you do not hear from us by this time, kindly regard your entry as unsuccessful.
Nitty gritties
Each winning designer will remain ownership of their artwork for the duration that Something Good Studio has the collection available for sale online and via our list of stockists. The rights to use the artwork commercially during this timeframe will be restricted to Something Good Studio and Romaria Knitwear. The timeframe of the production period will be agreed upon upfront, it can typically remain in market for approximately 2 years.Each winning designer will be compensated by means of royalty payments calculated based on the sales success of their final pieces, and they will receive an item from the collection.
The designer must acknowledge that the artwork is an original artwork, and does not violate the intellectual property rights of others.
2022/2023 Winners
A staggering amount of 1,310 entries poured in from talented young designers across South Africa for the 2022/2023 competition, it was a testament to creativity and ingenuity. The top four selected patterns became part of our ever-popular 'Young Designer Throw' collection.Our winning designers had an incredible run! They were featured in various established publications like Vogue Italia, Visi Magazine and House & Leisure. Their throws sold worldwide at design hubs like New York, Amsterdam, London & Seoul. Their designs won the hearts of many and became part of various wonderful homes.
As we shift towards a new collection, sadly we have to let go of the current. We are so glad these designs were born so that we could get to know them and all their lovely makers. They've brought a great deal of joy to us as well as their new owners. 🥰
There are limited quantities left of each design - available to shop online and via our retail stockists.
Young Designers 2022/2023
"The Young Designer Competition was something I just took a shot at in 2022, thinking 'it’s not something I could actually win' but ended up surprising myself. The impact of winning has been huge – it’s boosted my confidence as a designer and to back myself more. It has led to really special collaborations and work opportunities - it’s come full circle to joining the Something Good & Romaria team as their Creative Assistant. It’s worth it no matter if you win or not because it’s a platform to approach/learn from a new brief as a young designer, and not just any brief, but one that celebrates diversity and exploration."
Jade Taylor
2021 Winners
FAQs
It was quite a task! We sifted through all designs in multiple different sessions by process of elimination keeping our criteria in mind.
The initial pattern design brief, practicality, is the design fresh & exciting, does it resonate with our brand, and commercial appeal.
A huge part of our brand story is to take South African design to the world. This competition is exclusive to South African citizens.
We work with various artists and designers. Our intention for this specific competition is to serve as a platform for emerging South African creatives.
We work with various artists and designers. Our intention for this specific competition is to serve as a platform for emerging South African creatives.