The National Award for Design (NCD) 2024 exhibition opened in Bratislava on Wednesday, showcasing projects that have made a significant impact on the Slovak communication design scene over the past two years. Held in the attic of the Hurban Barracks, the exhibition features a record 555 submissions, the highest number in the competition’s 21-year history, according to the organizers. An international jury, including experts like Juraj Blaško, Zuzana Husárová, Róbert Slovák, and others, selected 139 projects for exhibition, with 37 nominated for awards. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in November.
Curator Juraj Blašek noted that the record number of entries reflects the growing interest and dedication of the Slovak design community. "This year’s selection demonstrates that contemporary design goes beyond aesthetics and form, acting as a medium for storytelling, problem-solving, and social impact," he said. Blašek emphasized the role of design as a unifying force in today’s polarized society, adding that it has the potential to make life not only more beautiful and functional but also more meaningful.
Exhibition designer Jakub Tóth explained that the exhibition furniture was created by upcycling elements from a previous exhibition on 100 years of design. "The walls from the old exhibition have been adapted into mobile panels on wheels, and the rest has been reassembled into new, unique elements, also designed to be mobile," Tóth shared.
Entrance to the exhibition is free, and visitors can enjoy a range of accompanying events, including a guided tour by designer and teacher Juraj Blaško on Friday, October 18 at 5:00 p.m., where he will explain the stories and connections behind the exhibited works. Additionally, the public can vote for their favorite design and help decide the winner of the Public Prize by November 6 at www.scd.sk/hlasovanie.
The NCD competition is organized by the Slovak Design Center (SCD) in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The winners will be revealed on November 11 at a gala dinner at Nová Scéna Theater in Bratislava. The exhibition runs until December 15.
Source: TASR
