Top: Finalist: Window Seat by Kelvin Lim for Prix Émile Hermès 2014. Photo: Marc Domage. © Fondation d’entreprise Hermes

Mark your calendars for international design award, Prix Émile Hermès, which returns for its 2016 edition. The competition organised by the Fondation d’enterprise Hermès opens for registration from September 1 to November 16, 2015.

However, interested young professionals, designers and engineers under the age of 40 can get cracking on their ideas and projects with the newly announced theme, PLAY. “Playing sharpens and makes sense of our imaginative processes. Through it, we experience political and social interaction, story-telling or romance. Above all, playing is a source of sophisticated or simple entertainment, and sheer fun..” the competition statement reveals.

Special Jury Commendation: Mola by Suman & Poulami Biswas for Prix Émile Hermès 2014. Photo: Marc Dommage. © Fondation d’entreprise Hermes

Since its inception in 2007, the Prix Émile Hermès has supported innovation and celebrated young designers whose original, timely and timeless works reflect the changing needs and aspirations of society.

This year’s jury is lead by French designer Matali Crasset. The cash prizes remain attractive with the following figures:
1st Prize: 50,000€
2nd Prize: 25,000€
3rd Prize: 15,000€

Selected finalists will be required to produce a prototype, which will be funded by the Foundation from January 1 to March 31, 2016.

Winner: La Capsule by Atelier Jes for Prix Émile Hermès 2014. Photo: Marc Dommage. © Fondation d’entreprise Hermes

Register online from September 1 to November 16, 2015, or find out more here.