“Starting Strong: The Next Generation Mindset” is the first webinar in the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) DesignEuropa Mentoring Series – From Emerging Talent to Design Legacy – a series of three sessions leading up to the 2026 DesignEuropa Awards. The webinar took place on 2 June 2026.
“Starting Strong: The Next Generation Mindset” featured David Borovic, winner of the DesignEuropa Awards 2025, and Alexandru Bunii, professor at the West University of Timișoara, in a dynamic conversational exchange rather than a formal lecture. The discussion explored four pivotal themes for aspiring designers:
- The Spark: How strong ideas emerge—inspiration vs. research and recognising “groundbreaking” potential.
- From Concept to Execution: Refining ideas without losing their essence, and the tools/collaborations that help.
- Overcoming Roadblocks: A pivotal early challenge in David’s career and the lessons it taught him.
- Advice for the Next Generation: One piece of wisdom to help aspiring designers nurture their strongest ideas.
The webinar provided a unique opportunity to engage with a leading voice in design and gain actionable insights into the EU’s creative ecosystem. It attracted viewers from 28 different countries and received a positive evaluation rating of 90%.
The course is now available on the EUIPO Learning Portal and can be accessed here:
https://euipo.europa.eu/knowledge/course/view.php?id=5596
