WE ARE THE NEXT GENERATION OPEN CALL
WE ARE THE NEXT GENERATION exhibits the next generation of Belgian design talent, through an overview of the best student projects from creative (higher) design education, selected by a jury.
The exhibition will run from 16 October to 2 November 2025 at the Budafabriek in Kortrijk during the WONDER Festival.
Graphic design and scenography by 019 Ghent.
Read all conditions and return on this page. Jump directly to the registration form. Deadline 02.07.25!
WATNG
Every year since 2014, Designregio Kortrijk and its partners have been searching for the most promising Belgian design talent in product design, architecture, graphic and game design through an overview of the best student projects from creative design education (colleges and universities).
In 2024, the expo welcomed over 16,000 visitors.
Students can submit their student project for participation now, using the form at the bottom of this page (deadline Wednesday 2 July 2025).
WONDER Creativity Festival
The exhibition will continue from 16 October to 2 November 2025 and is part of WONDER Creativity Festival in Kortrijk.
WONDER brings together creative talent from all over Belgium (and beyond) in a unique discovery trail through Kortrijk UNESCO City of Design.
WONDER is unique as a vibrant platform and connector for design, innovation, technology and art. Young talent and established values from the broad creative field, industry and education put forward their vision of a better future.
Who can participate?
Students from the following programmes at Belgian colleges and universities:
Product design
Industrial product design, textiles, fashion, accessories, furniture design
Architecture
Interior, buildings, public space and landscapes
Graphic design
Graphics and illustration, advertising design, web and digital
Game design
View all participants of last edition here or via via @wearethenextgeneration.be.
Conditions
- The student project must have been developed within the framework of a (creative) design course at a Belgian college or university in academic year 2024-2025.
- The projects will be assessed the second week of July by a jury consisting of representatives of Designregio Kortrijk, Flanders DC and professionals from the various design sectors. They will take into account the innovative character, social relevance, sustainability and exposeability of the project.
- The project will be brought on Sunday 12 October 2025 between 10am and 5pm and collected on Sunday evening 2 November after 6pm at the Budafabriek, Dam 2a Kortrijk by the submitter.
- We expect your presence on Wednesday 15 October at 17h00 for an introduction to fellow exhibitors and the grand opening of WONDER Festival.
For all your questions, contact: lise@designregio-kortrijk.be
Return
- Participation is free!
- Your selected project will be included in one of WONDER Festival's main exhibitions and shown to over 16,000 visitors.
- The selected projects will be included in offline and online communication of WE ARE THE NEXT GENERATION, WONDER Creativity Festival and Designregio Kortrijk.
- The exhibition is coordinated by Designregio Kortrijk, from scenography, copywriting and signage to photography, communication and press. Graphic design and scenography by 019 Ghent.
Timing
You can submit your student project until Wednesday 2 July 2025.
The jury consisting of representatives of Designregio Kortrijk, Flanders DC and professionals from the various design sectors will meet shortly after the deadline to select the projects for exhibition. By mid-July, you will be informed whether or not you have been selected.
Communication for the exhibition starts in early September. You and your school will receive all communication materials.
The expo through the years
