RogCreathon: Boundaries & Friction
Dezeen Competitions: Center Rog’s latest competition encourages young designers to take part in a design sprint where they’ll create innovative projects that converge disciplines and materials.
Based in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana, the event encourages participation from creatives aged 18 to 30.
This competition is now closed
Organiser: Center Rog
Competition: RogCreathon
Mentors:
- Anna Resei, product and textile designer
- Igor Siddiqui, architect and scholar
- Virginia San Fratello, architect, designer and professor
- Alberto Gianfreda, sculptor and professor of sculpture techniques
- Annelys de Vet, designer and researcher
Submission deadline: 6 October 2025 (application deadline), 13 October 2025 (notification of selection)
Winner announcement: 12 November
Prizes: all entrants will be invited to exhibit their team’s prototypes at RogExpo. They’ll receive certificates of participation and references acknowledging their creative contributions. Members of the winning team will be rewarded with a one-year Center Rog membership for Slovenian participants living in Ljubljana, and a two-week residency (including travel support) at Center Rog for international and out-of-town participants
Competition overview
RogCreathon is an intensive, collaborative event that offers an opportunity to dive deep into creative problem-solving and innovative design alongside renowned international mentors – all within the setting of the largest creative hub in Europe.
Dedicated to young designers, creatives and makers under 30, RogCreathon will take place from 10 to 12 November 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
This 48-hour design sprint invites 25 selected participants to explore the theme ‘boundaries and friction’, guided by a lineup of acclaimed mentors, including Anna Resei, Igor Siddiqui, Virginia San Fratello, Alberto Gianfreda and Annelys de Vet.
The event’s goal is to spark innovation through the convergence of diverse disciplines and materials, leading to the creation of bold, functional prototypes that push boundaries.
Eligibility and judging criteria
Designers, makers, engineers, architects and other creative individuals aged 18 to 30 are eligible to enter.
Center Rog is looking for young creatives who will explore how boundaries – whether cultural, conceptual or material – intersect with friction to generate meaningful dialogue, disrupt norms and inspire fresh solutions in response to global challenges.
How to enter
To apply, fill out the online application form and include a short video presentation (maximum three minutes in length) introducing yourself and sharing what motivates you to participate.
No application fee is required and Center Rog will cover travel expenses for up to five successful applicants. Fore more details, read about eligibility on the organisation’s website.
Submission deadlines and itinerary
- application deadline: Monday 6 October 2025
- notification of selection: by Monday 13 October 2025
- early November: online meeting with mentors and challenge presentation
- 9 November: arrival in Ljubljana and check-in at Hostel Celica (for international participants)
- 10 November: official start of RogCreathon
- 12 November: end of RogCreathon, a setup of results in the exhibition space, presentation of results to the jury, official opening of RogExpo, announcement of winners
- 13 and 14 November: RogForum (international conference)
- 15 November: departure of participants
About Center Rog
Center Rog in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is the largest production hub in Europe catering to amateur makers and professionals in applied arts, design, crafts and architecture, with a strong focus on sustainable development.
Inaugurated in October 2023 and located in a repurposed bicycle factory in the centre of Ljubljana, the hub offers 8,500 square meters of shared production space, with nine production labs, 20 free-of-charge studios for creatives developing sustainable products, five residential apartments, an exhibition hall, shops for local designers, and indoor and outdoor public spaces open to everyone.
The photography is by Tine Lisjak.
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