Competition: UEH Brand Merchandise Design Competition

15 Aug, 2024

"From Inspirers to Art Makers" - UEH seeks members for its "Community of Art Inspirers and Changemakers for Sustainability."

With a journey of nearly 50 years in Vietnamese higher education, UEH has established itself with notable rankings: Top 860 for Sustainability (QS World University Ranking Sustainability 2024), Top 301+ in Asia (QS Asia 2024), and Top 301-400 for its contributions to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (THE Impact Rankings 2023).

Continuing this journey, the UEH Multidisciplinary and Sustainable strategy aims to create a comprehensive environment that promotes and empowers individuals and organizations to take sustainable action. The five pillars of this strategy are: (1) Training global citizens, empowered for sustainable action; (2) Research for the public good; (3) Governance prioritizing sustainable development; (4) Operations from a green campus to carbon neutrality; and (5) Connecting a community of sustainable changemakers and art inspirers.

With the message "From Inspirers to Art Makers," the UEH Brand Merchandise Design Competition aims to implement the Community Connection pillar of this strategy. The competition seeks creative UEH brand design ideas that are aligned with the Multidisciplinary and Sustainable development strategy, foster connection and gratitude, and convey meaningful and inspirational stories. A special emphasis is placed on eco-friendly solutions that contribute to sustainable development.

Through this competition, UEH wishes to find individuals who share its values and to form a community that celebrates aesthetic values and inspires creativity through:
(1) The journey of fully conveying inspiration and ideas into each design (Inspirers);
(2) The journey of transforming designs from sketches to production (Art Makers);
(3) A collaborative effort to create a collection of branded merchandise and gifts that are aesthetic, impressive, useful, feasible, and meaningful (Creative Brand Merchandise). Notably, the eco-friendly criterion will be highly valued.

As an educational brand for the community, these brand products are expected not only to promote the brand and serve as mementos for conferences and events but also to act as a bridge connecting UEH with various community members. They are a way to "recognize," "remind," and "show gratitude to" members, affirming that they are part of the UEH community, "committed to leading change and sustainable action." This community includes current students, alumni, leading domestic and international scientists and academic experts, leaders and representatives from partner organizations and enterprises, distinguished delegates and guests, and both current and former faculty and staff.

UEH cordially invites the domestic and international creative community in the fields of design and branded merchandise to participate in this artistic competition, joining UEH in telling a story of art inspiration on the journey of a "Multidisciplinary and Sustainable UEH."

Participants

Open to all individuals and organizations in Vietnam and internationally who are passionate about design and craftsmanship, including both professional and non-professional groups, with no restrictions on age, occupation, or field. Note: Participants may compete individually or in teams of up to three members.

Competition Categories

Souvenirs: Propose, design, and produce prototypes of branded merchandise that are highly practical and serve as keepsakes for high school students, current university students, alumni, and campus visitors. The finished product value should be under 500,000 VND.

Corporate & Conference Gifts: Propose, design, and produce prototypes of gifts for internal and external relations, events, conferences connecting with leading domestic and international scientists and experts, partners, corporations, and official delegates. The product value should be over 1,000,000 VND.

Note: Contestants may submit one or more products (as a pair, set, or collection) in one or both categories to fully convey their most innovative creative ideas. Please refer to UEH's current products in the introduction or video for reference.

Timeline

Competition Launch Event: August 19, 2024
Phase 1: Registration at go.ueh.edu.vn/uehdesignregister, from August 16, 2024 – September 15, 2024.
Phase 2: Preliminary Round – "Who are Inspirers?", from September 16, 2024 – October 31, 2024.
Authors/teams submit their concepts. Registered participants will have the opportunity to attend two insightful sharing sessions on: (1) branding and the meaning of connection; and (2) turning innovative design ideas into feasible products, featuring experts in design, craftsmanship, ceramics, and eco-friendly materials. This will help them refine their ideas and designs to align with the competition's criteria and develop a viable production plan.
After completing the training sessions, participants will also receive a short-course certificate in "Brand Commercial Design: Bring Your Idea To Reality" from the UEH College of Technology and Design.
Phase 3: Final Round – "Who are Art Makers?", from November 1, 2024 – November 30, 2024.
Selected teams will be provided with access to maker spaces in HCMC, equipment, and a budget for materials to produce their prototypes (including accommodation costs for non-HCMC residents).
Phase 4: Final Results Announcement, December 10, 2024.
An award ceremony to announce the results and connect the UEH Inspirer & Art Makers community (including all participating teams and the broader community).
Phase 5: Acknowledgment from UEH and an invitation to become a member of the ArtTech Hub.

Prizes and Benefits

One First Prize: 40,000,000 VND.
The 05 finalist teams will receive a certificate from UEH.
A production budget of up to 2,000,000 VND per finalist team, along with access to maker spaces and affiliated workshops to produce prototypes.
Teams from outside HCMC who need to stay in the city for the competition will be provided with accommodation at the UEH Boutique Hotel.
Participants who advance to the preliminary round and fully attend the inspirational sharing and training sessions will receive a short-course certificate in "Brand Commercial Design: Bring Your Idea To Reality" from the UEH College of Technology and Design.
Membership in the ArtTech Hub (for all registered individuals and organizations).

Evaluation Criteria

(1) "Inspirer" Criteria:

The concept is relevant and aligned with UEH's brand strategy and its five strategic pillars. It connects with and inspires action on environmental and sustainable development issues.
It fosters a sense of connection and gratitude between the brand and the item's owner.
It reinforces brand identity and recall, reflecting the depth of the brand.
Note: Submissions with an inspiring story will be a plus.

(2) "Art Maker" Criteria:

Aesthetics: Harmonious colors consistent with UEH's primary brand identity; beautiful and appropriate form and proportions; culturally appropriate.
Feasibility: Utilizes common materials, is manufacturable at a reasonable cost; cost-effective; materials are friendly to the environment and users.
Uniqueness: Original design; flexibility and scalability of the product; auxiliary functions (if any); integration with technology (if any).

Expert Panel

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Bich Nguyet – Chairwoman, UEH Strategy and Policy Advisory Council; Chairwoman, Scientific and Training Council, UEH College of Technology and Design; Dean, Institute of Innovation.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh – Vice Rector, UEH College of Technology and Design.
Ms. Le Thi Hanh An, M.A. – UEH Brand Communication Manager.
Ms. Tran Thi Quynh Huong – Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Harper's Bazaar Vietnam.
Mr. Peter Bradfield – Wood Technical Advisor, Canadian Wood Vietnam.
Ms. Kimmi Ha – Founder, Upgreen Vietnam.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan – Artist.
Mr. Tu Vu Tuan Anh – Founder, Stile.
Mr. Hong Hoang Duy – CEO, Hong Tam Ceramics.
Mr. Nguyen Khoa My – Founder, Mconsultant; Managing Partner, Goldenpen; Chairman, Vietnam Public Relations Network (VNPR).
Mr. Nguyen Duy Nhut – Artist.

View competition details here: go.ueh.edu.vn/uehdesignbrochure
Register for the competition here: go.ueh.edu.vn/uehdesignregister
Contact Information: Mr. Le Quoc Viet – 086 654 3318 – vietlq@ueh.edu.vn .
________________

Appendix: Copyright of Works within the Scope of the Competition

(1) Copyright of the designs and prototypes submitted to the competition (Intellectual Property Rights):

For winning entries: UEH and the author/team are co-owners of the works, with UEH holding 70% ownership and the author/team holding 30%. Participants are obligated to transfer their ownership share of the winning work to UEH upon request. Participants may only transfer their ownership share to a third party if UEH has first declined the offer in writing or has not responded within 12 months of receiving the offer. The transfer price will be mutually agreed upon, not exceeding 20 million VND. Once the copyright is fully transferred to UEH, the author/team will no longer be the owner and will not be entitled to owner's rights.
For non-winning entries: The author/team is the sole owner. Participants are obligated to transfer the copyright of their non-winning work to UEH upon request. Participants may only transfer their copyright to a third party if UEH has first declined the offer in writing or has not responded within 12 months of receiving the offer. The transfer price will be mutually agreed upon, not exceeding 20 million VND. Once the copyright is fully transferred to UEH, the author/team will no longer be the owner and will not be entitled to owner's rights.
Contestants warrant that their submitted work is free from any third-party rights disputes and assume full responsibility for any disputes that may arise. The Organizing Committee is excluded from all liability in such cases.
For winning works and/or non-winning works for which UEH acquires the copyright, the author/team is obligated to cooperate with UEH in completing the copyright registration procedures as required by the Law on Intellectual Property.
(2) Use of the UEH Brand (a protected trademark) in the designs:
UEH grants contestants permission to use the current UEH brand identity for the purpose of designing and producing prototypes for the competition. Any other use of the UEH brand identity by any individual or organization requires explicit permission from UEH.

(3) Ownership and Use of Participants' Images and Information during the competition:
University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has the full right to use all information, images, and video clips provided by participants during the competition for non-commercial purposes related to the organization and promotion of the competition, without requiring further permission or providing any payment. This includes, but is not limited to, general non-personal information, personal images of the author/team, the submitted works, and the production process, provided it does not infringe on individual privacy.