INTERDESIGN 2026 BIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL JURY
The INTERDESIGN 2026 Biennial Jury brings together distinguished design professionals recognized worldwide for their significant contributions to the field. Coming from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, they provide complementary perspectives on design at the intersection of practice, theory, and research. Through their professional expertise and academic leadership, the jury members ensure a rigorous evaluation process, emphasizing excellence, innovation, and interdisciplinary dialogue.
JURY MEMBERS:
Hajime Tsushima (Japan): Graphic designer and art director based in Hiroshima and the Kansai region, Japan.
Bio: Founder of Tsushima Design, specializing in poster design, branding, and packaging. He serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Design at the Osaka University of Arts. His work is characterized by a strong conceptual approach and refined visual structures, often using typography to explore social and cultural themes. As of 2026, he has received over 150 international and domestic design awards, including more than 70 top honors (Grand Prix, Platinum, and Gold). His works are frequently exhibited in major design biennials and exhibitions worldwide.
Iosif Mihailo (Romania): Professor and Head of the Design and Applied Arts Department at the West University of Timișoara.
Bio: His professional career includes notable achievements in industrial design, having been a finalist in elite global forums such as the Electrolux Design Lab. In recent years, he has shifted his focus toward digital arts, contributing extensively to international exhibitions across Europe and Asia. His creative output is defined by a rigorous investigation of digital morphology, particularly through advanced 3D modeling and 2D processing, exploring the aesthetic tensions between compositional balance and chromatic dynamics.
Inga Mațcan-Lîsenco (Republic of Moldova): Researcher and University Lecturer at the Faculty of Urbanism and Architecture, Technical University of Moldova.
Bio: With over two decades of teaching experience, her field of expertise focuses on the convergence between fundamental research and the creative industries. She is currently a PhD candidate in Art Studies and Culturology, with her research centered on the morphological and conceptual analysis of jewelry design in the context of globalization processes.
Her research explores innovative directions such as the digitalization of jewelry through 3D modeling, material sustainability, and energy efficiency in interior design. This theoretical activity is complemented by an active role in cultural management, where she coordinates major exhibition platforms (Urban Days, DAS Interior) and interactive programs within international events such as European Researchers’ Night. Her expertise is further validated by her full membership in the Union of Fine Artists of the Republic of Moldova and the Union of Folk Craftsmen of the Republic of Moldova. She collaborates consistently with national museum institutions to reinterpret traditional technologies through contemporary aesthetic approaches. Inga Matcan-Lisenco has extensive experience in critical evaluation, serving as president or jury member in, university competitions, and national technical and art contests. Her achievements are recognized through distinctions awarded at biennials and applied research workshops.
Kye-soo Myung (South Korea): Professor Emeritus at Konkuk University, Seoul.
Bio: Born in Seoul, South Korea in 1953, Kye-soo Myung specializes in Korean typography design, identity design, and non-commercial imagery. After completing his diploma with honors in 1978, he embarked on a distinguished teaching career, initially at the Seoul Institute of Arts and later at Konkuk University until his retirement in 2019. Sabbatical years at Syracuse University and Boston University further enriched his academic journey. Throughout his career, he has focused on teaching graphic design and presenting lectures on design concepts. His scholarly pursuits have led to the publication of papers on the cultural and social significance of graphic design. He has been recognized for his contributions to the field, winning a prestigious award at the Korea Design Exhibition in 2017. He has actively supported the development of Korean design and serves as a respected juror for various international design organizations and prestigious international design competitions.
Mohamed Zakaria Soltan (Egypt): Associate Professor at the Faculty of Applied Arts, 6th of October University, Egypt.
Bio: He holds a B.F.A. in fine arts and a Ph.D. in applied arts from Helwan University. He has held 20 solo exhibitions worldwide and has participated in more than 200 international exhibitions, biennials, triennials, and festivals in Egypt and abroad. He is an internationally recognized expert and jury member in graphic design, visual communication, digital art, and poster design, with extensive experience serving on juries for prestigious global competitions (more than 47 different editions of international competitions & awards across the different countries). Recently, particularly between 2024 and 2025, he has participated in major international events such as the Design Masterprize and the Creative Communication Award in the United States; the A’ Design Award & Competition in Italy; the Haapsalu Graphic Design Festival in Estonia; and numerous poster and design competitions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. His earlier contributions include judging renowned competitions such as Poster Heroes in Italy and the Intercontinental Biennial. Through these numerous international jury roles, Dr. Soltan has played a significant role in evaluating and promoting excellence in contemporary visual arts and design, establishing himself as a respected figure in the global creative community.
Rikke Hansen (Denmark): Danish graphic designer and educator active in both print and digital media.
Bio: Through her independent studio, she develops branding and visual communication solutions for international companies and organizations. her work blends theoretical research with practical exploration in design development. She has served as a juror for numerous poster biennials and international competitions. Her portfolio has been recognized with honors such as the COFOD Excellence Award and multiple Graphis awards (Platinum, Gold, and Silver). She regularly delivers lectures and workshops across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Wesam Haddad (USA): Designer, Creative Director, and Educator with over 25 years of global experience in sustainable design and visual communication.
Bio: His work has received over 100 international awards and is included in prestigious permanent collections, such as the Library of Congress and the Milton Glaser Design Study Center. He currently teaches at New Jersey City University and has served as a juror or guest critic at numerous international institutions, including the International Poster Biennial in Mexico and the Taiwan International Student Design Competition.