AKG launches 2014 AKG Inspired Awards

Headphones brand AKG celebrates inspiration by inviting creatives from across Europe to showcase how a spark becomes an amazing idea in the inaugural AKG Inspired Awards

AKG announces the launch of the first AKG Inspired Awards, designed to showcase Europe's talent and their creative sparks. The competition celebrates the power of inspiration, asking creatives to display the process that turned their inspiration into an amazing idea.

The overall winner of the AKG Inspired Awards will receive a €5000 Grant in addition to the production of their own design Y Series shell. Four runners up will receive a €1000 Grant. Each of the five winners will also be given creative input into future AKG headphones.

Open to all creatives, whether a photographer, a designer or a music producer – entrants can submit a combination of video, imagery or text to display how they took an inspiration and turned it into something great.

Entrants work will be viewed and judged by a panel of influential experts, including UK designer Lauren Davies, Swedish musician Julia Spada and German graphic designer Knut Maierhofer.

David Kohn, head judge at the AKG Inspired Awards, says: “The AKG Inspired Awards is a great opportunity to gain support and recognition for groundbreaking creative projects across Europe. From music to architecture, from inspired blogging to alchemy; the judging panel are hoping to discover exceptional new work.”

“AKG has been helping creative souls find their inspiration through music for more than 65 years, and this award is the natural extension of this”, says Dorothee de Backer, Product Marketing Director, HARMAN , “The same sound that allows artists and producers hear their songs in great detail, also kick-starts the imagination for designers, photographers, street artists and illustrators. The AKG Inspired Awards allows AKG to recognise creativity across Europe and continue to work with inspirational designers to produce inspirational headphones.”

To enter the competition, visit the Share Your Inspiration page and tell us your story. Closing date for entries is 15th August 2014. Good luck!

Judges Info:

David Kohn
David Kohn is a London-based award winning architect, who runs David Kohn Architects, working across the fields of architecture and urbanism.

David studied architecture at the University of Cambridge and at Columbia University, New York as a Fulbright Scholar. He worked at Caruso St John Architects before establishing David Kohn Architects in 2007. The company has gone on to work on projects for Sotheby’s and the London Southbank Centre.

The practice has built a reputation for its design, winning World Interior of the Year in 2013 and RIBA, D&AD, Designs of the Year, New London and Condé Nast awards in 2012. In 2010 the practice was named 'One-Off House Architect of the Year' and in 2009 'Young Architect of the Year'.

Knut Maierhofer
In 1984, Knut Maierhofer founded KMS TEAM, a leading company for brand strategy, brand design and brand communication. 

Precision and functionality are the hallmarks of Knut Maierhofer’s work. Through clear and timeless design, he creates fascinating and appealing visual systems that bring the personalities of brands and companies to life and make them sustainable. With over 30 years of experience, Knut Maierhofer is cognizant of the importance of a responsible, evolutionary development of brands and companies.

However, design also calls for courage and a radical approach. Knut Maierhofer has received numerous international awards for his focused and consistent design.

Julia Spada
Julia Spada is an acclaimed songwriter, recording artist and producer. She is the winner of Swedish Radio's Sound of 2014" and Sweden's biggest music radio channel awarded her "Best Song of 2013". She's written and performed numerous features – among them "The Ocean" with fellow Swede "Saturday, Monday".

Romain Colin
Based in Paris, France, Romain Colin founded Fubiz.net in 2005. The site offers news and inspiration to millions of designers, art directors, producers, and creative agencies around the world.

Lauren Davies
Lauren Davies is an award winning designer and founder of London-based studio Heka. In 2012, whilst studying on the MA Design Products course at the Royal College of Art, the Observer Magazine named her as one of the design ''stars of the future''. She graduated in 2013 and has since been nominated for Designs of the Year 2014 at the Design Museum in London.

Lauren's background in illustration, art direction and set design is visible in her work. With a sustainable ethos and a passion for plants, food, colour, science and the intricate mysteries of nature, Lauren has a poetic approach to design.

Encouraging the user to find a more magical way of approaching our daily rituals, she highlights the hidden potential for creativity within everyday life and empowers people to explore their senses, forge a strong connection with materials and processes and find joy through experimentation and playfulness.

Competition Terms and Conditions:

http://inspired.AKG.com/terms-and-conditions