Dec. 12, 2024 — The Silmo Paris optical trade show has announced the fourth edition of its Optical Design Contest, inviting design students worldwide to participate. According to show organizers, the competition underscores Silmo’s commitment to promoting innovation, advancing the industry, and nurturing emerging talent.

The 2025 contest challenges participants to rethink the potential of eyewear beyond its traditional function. Students are tasked with designing frames that:

• Enhance vision and broaden perceptions of the world
• Transform how wearers interact with their environment
• Redefine eyewear as advanced technology beyond its role as a health accessory

Entries are expected to reflect bold, transformative ideas that elevate eyewear into tools for innovation and reinvention.

Projects will be assessed based on innovation, functionality, responsible design, and technical feasibility. Finalists will be announced in July 2025, and their prototypes will be showcased at Silmo Paris, set to take place Sept. 26-29, 2025. The winning design will be awarded 10,000 euros, divided equally between the student and their school, and will be featured at Silmo Paris 2026.

The contest is open to students in their third, fourth, or fifth year of design studies. Submissions, either individual or team-based, must be made by June 16, 2025, here.

Michel Penneman, an internationally recognized Belgian designer and interior architect, will serve as the president the jury. Known for his innovative hotel projects and conceptual design approach, Penneman brings expertise in light, transparency, and narrative design.