TECH NEWS – HONOR is launching the prestigious HONOR Talents international design competition in the region with a pilot program in Romania. This initiative is the first step toward expansion in Central and Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, inviting young artists and designers to explore the intersection of art, technology, and innovation.

Romania will be the first to host a local round of the global HONOR Talents competition. Through the HONOR Talents: NextGen Creators Romania program, Romanian creators can join the international community and help shape the visual world of the future. The competition is open to students, professionals, and digital-art enthusiasts from creative fields such as graphic design, product design, and new media. The launch of the local round was carried out with several academic and industry partners, including Romania’s leading creative-industry platform, The Institute, and the Faculty of Design at the “ION MINCU” University of Architecture and Urbanism.

“I am delighted that the rollout of the HONOR Talents program in Central and Eastern Europe and Scandinavia is starting in Romania. This global initiative provides a genuine opportunity for young artists and designers to unleash their creativity and to use technology as an authentic form of self-expression,” said Leila Li, Deputy Marketing General Manager for HONOR Technology in the CEE and Nordic region.

Open call for the region’s creative professionals

Following the Romanian pilot program, the company plans in 2026 to extend HONOR Talents to additional Central and Eastern European and Scandinavian markets, creating a regional creative forum for young talents in the area. The initiative is also seeking partner organizations among local design schools, cultural institutions, and innovation hubs that play a central role in advancing design education and sustainable creativity.

In the meantime, countries in the region can register on the European platform available here. European program page: https://www.honor.com/uk/honor-talents/global-design-awards/ This year’s competition explores the relationship between technology, creativity, and creators’ visions of the modern world through four design themes that reflect cultural diversity and the spirit of innovation:

• Cultural Richness – Celebration: Honoring the traditions and symbols that shape cultures around the world.
• Renewal of Life – Return: Reflecting on the relationship between humans, the environment, and nature.
• Creation – The Future: Imagining a world where technology and art jointly shape human progress.
• Meeting Youth – Integration: A call for a global cultural dialogue centered on young people’s perspectives.

Participants may submit their work — depending on the chosen theme — in four design categories:

• Graphic designs and user interfaces for smartphones and tablets, including wallpapers, icons, and creative animations.
• Watches: User interfaces and custom straps for HONOR smartwatches that combine style with rich functionality.
• Accessories and design objects: Original designs for phone cases, lifestyle items, and accessories that are part of the HONOR ecosystem.
• Art and Technology: Interactive installations, AR concepts, and digital works that map the frontier between art and innovation.

Winners will receive international exposure, HONOR products, and opportunities to participate in global exhibitions; they may also visit China and collaborate with HONOR’s global R&D design teams. At the launch event of the HONOR Talents – NextGen Creators Romania program, Melissa Chen, head of HONOR France UX and the MagicOS brand design team, invited participants to join HONOR’s broader ecosystem. Submissions made through the official European platform will be evaluated by the HONOR Talents international jury, composed of recognized art, technology, and design experts.

Source: Honor European Platform