HSE CREATIVE OPEN 2025: Spotlight on student creativity

On May 24, at the Moscow Telling Stories creative industries festival, the HSE CREATIVE OPEN award ceremony took place. Winners of the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL's flagship international prize presented their projects across 20 categories — including Packaging Design, Music Video, Conceptual Hotel, and Folk Craft as a Brand.

As part of the DAFES Awards program, HSE CREATIVE OPEN, a dedicated student track supported by the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL, is open to students and recent graduates from universities around the globe. The contest seeks to gather original concepts and impactful projects across design, contemporary art, and fashion, while highlighting career development opportunities within the creative industries.

A total of 35 companies partnered with the competition to support award categories and help spotlight key areas of the creative industries. Their involvement reflects a growing interest among businesses in identifying and investing in creative talent at all stages of development.

The ninth season of HSE CREATIVE OPEN featured a wide range of categories — from identity and brand design to socially driven projects and board games. The competition showcased both visual research and applied works, such as an educational book and a conceptual hotel design. Each category reflected current trends in the creative industries, demonstrating how design and creativity can help shape new meanings and address real-world challenges.

Congratulations to the winners — we’re excited to share their names and projects!
 

We sincerely thank all the participants, jury members, and partners who contributed to the success of this edition of the DAFES Awards and HSE CREATIVE OPEN. Your creativity, dedication, and expertise have been vital in pushing the boundaries of innovation and artistic expression within the global creative community. It is through this shared passion and collaboration that we continue to build a vibrant ecosystem, fostering new ideas and inspiring the next generation of creative leaders.