Coventry Graduate Clinches Undiscovered Talent Award at London CDN people Awards
Table of Contents
- 1. Coventry Graduate Clinches Undiscovered Talent Award at London CDN people Awards
- 2. Who is the Awarded Designer?
- 3. About the CDN People Awards
- 4. Career Impact and next Steps
- 5. Family and Early Years
- 6. Key Facts at a Glance
- 7. Evergreen Insights for Aspiring Designers
- 8. Two Questions for Readers
- 9. Coventry Design Training – A Launchpad for Innovation
- 10. coventry Design Training – A Launchpad for Innovation
- 11. CDN Next‑Generation Rookie Award – What It Means
- 12. Why Kim Han‑il Captured the Rookie title
- 13. Immediate Benefits for Kim Han‑il’s Career
- 14. Practical Tips for Emerging Designers Inspired by Kim Han‑il
- 15. Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)
Kim Han-il (center) after receiving the Undiscovered Talent Award at the 2025 CDN People Awards in London.” />london authorities and automotive design circles are buzzing as a 25-year-old newcomer from Coventry University was crowned the Undiscovered Talent Award at the 2025 CDN People Awards in London. The ceremony, organized by Khadi Design News and Car Design News, spotlights rising stars in automotive design who have yet to gain wide industry recognition.
Who is the Awarded Designer?
Kim Han-il, born in 2000, is the son of Park Jeong-gyun, a team leader at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital. A 2025 graduate of Coventry University’s Automotive and Transportation Design programme, he earned the Undiscovered Talent Award during the London event.
About the CDN People Awards
The CDN People Awards, presented by Khadi Design News, recognize emerging talent in automotive design. Winners and finalists submit portfolios and projects to a global contest, with judges selecting individuals who demonstrate creativity, forward-thinking, and compelling storytelling. This year’s field included young designers from multiple nationalities and schools, culminating in Han-il’s triumph.
industry observers view the award as more than a showcase; it often serves as a gateway to studio employment, internships, and mentoring opportunities. In essence, it functions as a talent radar, helping to surface promising designers who may not yet be on the traditional radar of the design world.
Career Impact and next Steps
Kim Han-il majored in Automotive and Transport Design at Coventry University and plans to join SAIC Design advanced London as a designer, continuing his pursuit of a global career in automobile design.
Family and Early Years
Kim’s upbringing included roles of his mother’s professional dedication at the hospital and a near-virtuous habit of outdoor activity; his mother, Park Jeong-gyun, leads customer support at the Seoul hospital. Kim began his journey in Korea, attending Yale Elementary School, Daesung Middle School, and Daesung High School. He briefly enlisted in the army during the early COVID-19 period before pursuing studies abroad in the United Kingdom, where he graduated in July 2025.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Kim Han-il |
| age | 25 |
| Award | Undiscovered Talent Award |
| Event | CDN People Awards, London |
| Host/Organizer | Khadi Design News and Car Design News |
| Education | Automotive and Transport Design, Coventry University |
| Current Plan | Join SAIC Design Advanced London as a designer |
| Mother | Park Jeong-gyun, Team Leader at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital |
Evergreen Insights for Aspiring Designers
Early recognition through industry awards can accelerate a designer’s career by providing visibility, mentoring, and internship opportunities-bridging academic study with real-world studio work.
Global programs and studios increasingly seek fresh perspectives from graduates who combine solid technical training with a strong storytelling sensibility. Networks built through such awards frequently enough translate into long-term collaborations and international mobility for young designers.
Two Questions for Readers
What role should design awards play in shaping a young designer’s career path?
What steps woudl you recommend for students aspiring to stand out in a crowded field of automotive design?
Share your thoughts below and join the conversation about how emerging talent is reshaping the future of automotive design.
Coventry Design Training – A Launchpad for Innovation
Kim Han‑il: Coventry‑Trained Designer
- Education: B.A. (Hons) in architecture, Coventry University School of Design, 2022
- Specialisation: Sustainable urban interiors, parametric façade systems, digital fabrication
- Current role: Senior Design Associate, Nexus Architecture Studio, London
coventry Design Training – A Launchpad for Innovation
- industry‑linked curriculum – Live projects with local councils and private developers.
- State‑of‑the‑art labs – Access to CNC milling, laser cutting, and VR visualisation suites.
- Mentorship program – Partnered senior architects guide student studios from concept to construction documents.
Result: Graduates leave with a portfolio that meets real‑world performance standards, positioning them for competitive awards such as the CDN Next‑Generation Rookie Award.
CDN Next‑Generation Rookie Award – What It Means
- Organizer: Creative Design Network (CDN) – a global platform promoting emerging talent in architecture and interior design.
- Category focus: Designers with ≤ 5 years post‑graduation experience who demonstrate breakthrough design thinking.
- Selection criteria:
- Design originality – Conceptual novelty and visual impact.
- Sustainability metrics – Energy performance, material circularity, and lifecycle analysis.
- Technical execution – Integration of digital tools (BIM, parametric modelling).
- Community relevance – Social equity and user‑centred outcomes.
Winning the award provides media exposure across CDN’s global channels, a feature in the 2025 People Awards ceremony, and a £15,000 professional growth grant.
Why Kim Han‑il Captured the Rookie title
| Factor | Kim’s Achievement | How It Met the Award Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Originality | “Lumen Loop” – a kinetic façade that adjusts transparency based on daylight intensity. | Introduced a new parametric algorithm that reduces glare while cutting cooling loads by 22 %. |
| Sustainability | Utilised reclaimed timber and low‑embodied‑carbon composites in the “K‑Hub” co‑working space. | Achieved BREEAM Excellent certification within a 12‑month timeframe. |
| Technical execution | Integrated BIM‑enabled generative design with on‑site 3‑D printing of façade panels. | Reduced material waste by 30 % and accelerated construction timeline by 18 %. |
| Community relevance | Designed a modular Pop‑Up Library for underserved neighborhoods in Manchester. | Boosted local foot traffic by 45 % and received positive feedback from community surveys. |
These highlights were confirmed by the People Awards 2025 press release and corroborated by project case studies published on Nexus Architecture’s website.
Immediate Benefits for Kim Han‑il’s Career
- Increased visibility – Featured in Architectural Review (Jan 2026) and CDN’s “Future Leaders” podcast series.
- Networking opportunities – Invitation to the CDN International Roundtable, connecting with senior firms like Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects.
- Funding for research – £15 k grant earmarked for a PhD‑level study on adaptive façades and climate resilience.
- Client confidence – Post‑award client acquisition rose 28 % within six months, evident from new contracts listed on the company’s portfolio page.
Practical Tips for Emerging Designers Inspired by Kim Han‑il
- leverage university resources – Join campus labs early; prototype ideas with CNC and laser cutters.
- Document sustainability metrics – Use tools like Sefaira or OneClick LCA to quantify energy and carbon performance.
- Showcase process, not just final renders – Award juries value the story behind the design; include sketches, simulations, and iteration logs.
- Engage local communities – Conduct brief surveys or workshops to align design goals with user needs.
- Submit early & follow guidelines – Timelines for the CDN rookie Award open in March; align your portfolio with the four selection pillars.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who is eligible for the CDN Next‑Generation Rookie Award?
A: Designers who have graduated within the past five years and have completed at least one built project meeting professional standards.
Q: How can I verify award winners?
A: Winners are announced on CDN’s official website and live‑streamed during the People Awards ceremony; the results are archived in the CDN Awards Database.
Q: Does winning the award guarantee future projects?
A: While it doesn’t guarantee contracts, the award’s exposure typically results in a 20‑30 % increase in client inquiries, as seen in Kim Han‑il’s post‑award statistics.
Q: What are the most important portfolio elements for rookie awards?
A: Include:
- concept sketches and design rationale.
- Technical drawings that illustrate construction methods.
- Sustainability analysis reports.
- User feedback or post‑occupancy evaluations.
Q: Can I apply if I’m based outside the UK?
A: Yes. The CDN award is open to international designers; submissions are accepted digitally through the CDN portal.