Celebrating Creative Excellence: 33 Young Southeast Asian Artists Honoured at HONOR Talents

HONOR today announced the winners of the HONOR Talents Global Design Awards Southeast Asia (SEA) edition, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to nurturing young creative talent. The competition attracted an impressive 978 submissions from students representing 22 higher learning institutions as well as independent designers across the region. Serving as a global platform for emerging creators, HONOR Talents continues to highlight the powerful intersection of art and technology.

From a highly competitive pool of entries, 33 outstanding artists from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia were selected as winners for their creative contributions to HONOR’s innovative product designs. Most submissions focused on the Watch and Accessories categories, reflecting the distinctive styles, ideas and perspectives of the region’s next generation of designers.

Ruyi Teoh from ATEC College, along with Nor Marlina Mukhtar and Ch’Ng Jie Xun from The ONE Academy, were named Grand Prize winners and each received the flagship HONOR Magic8 Pro. Winners of the Second Prize, Third Prize and Judges’ Choice Award for the Accessories category received a HONOR 400 Pro, HONOR Pad V9 and HONOR Watch 5 respectively. All winners will have the opportunity to see their designs applied across relevant HONOR products and showcased at HONOR Experience Stores, as well as featured in local and international exhibitions. In addition, they will participate in a “Youth Empowerment” training camp designed to further develop their creative and professional skills.

Ruyi Teoh’s winning entry for the Theme category, titled “Ripples of Connection and Harmony,” was inspired by the simple yet profound imagery of standing in the rain among people from around the world. She described the puddles on the ground as windows that reveal scenes of different languages, music and cultures, with each reflection carrying a unique story that reminds us how human connection flows beyond borders.

In the Accessories category, Nor Marlina Mukhtar’s project, “Coral Reefs: Nature’s Unforgettable Masterpiece,” pays tribute to coral reefs as vital protectors of coastlines and sustainers of marine life. Through her design, she hopes to serve as a daily reminder of the importance of preserving marine ecosystems. The piece uses vibrant brushstrokes, layered symbolism and rich storytelling to invite viewers to pause, reflect and appreciate nature’s quiet brilliance.

Meanwhile, The ONE Academy student Ch’Ng Jie Xun presented “Glitches of the Rainforest,” a design featuring native Malaysian flora alongside endangered wildlife such as the Hornbill, Orang Utan and Malayan Tiger. By incorporating digital ‘glitches’ into the artwork, the design symbolizes the tension between environmental loss and ongoing conservation efforts, portraying technology as both a warning signal and a beacon of hope for the future.

The HONOR Talents Global Design Awards SEA edition challenged participants to explore four key themes: Cultural Prosperity, Renewal of Life, Genesis and Youth Convergence. Submissions were accepted across five categories, namely Themes, Watches, HONOR Pad Creation, Accessories, and Art & Technology, encouraging a broad and multidisciplinary creative approach.

Since its inception in 2020, the HONOR Talents Global Design Awards has empowered the next generation of designers to explore the dynamic space where technology meets art. By continuously supporting young creators, HONOR remains committed to nurturing visionary talents who will shape the future of global design.

HONOR is a global leading AI device ecosystem company committed to revolutionizing human-to-device interactions and bridging the AI ecosystem with consumers in the agentic AI era and beyond. Through open and seamless collaboration, the company strives to break industrial boundaries and co-create a value-sharing ecosystem with industry partners. With an innovative portfolio that includes AI smartphones, PCs, tablets, wearables and more, HONOR aims to empower individuals worldwide to embrace a new intelligent future.