The first scholarship of Nova Iskra and Erste Bank

Design incubator Nova Iskra announced its second annual call in November, intended for the use of its multifunctional coworking space in downtown Belgrade, which is aimed at young designers and creative professionals. This year, for the first time we are proud to also present the first scholarship for a free 12-month membership in the Designers Lab of Nova Iskra. We are providing this in collaboration with Erste Bank in Serbia, the first local company that recognized this peculiar way of support to young creatives in Serbia.

Members of DESIGNERS LAB have a chance to use one of the 18 working units  within the workspace of Nova Iskra, as well as all other complimentary services, such as fast wi-fi connection, conference room, craft modeling space, tools, photo booth and other equipment, design library, office materials and kitchen. Nova Iskra also holds regular education programs, in which DL members have the priority of participation.

At the end of each year, we announce the open call for the next cycle, while all selected candidates have a chance to use complete resources of Nova Iskra on the basis of a monthly membership. The young industrial designer Nenad Merzel will not have to cover his membership fee in 2014, as he will be supported Erste Bank who will be covering his membership costs. The representatives of this forward-looking company have selected Nenad together with our team, among the best application which arrived in this open call. As he is a talented industrial designer who has graduated just over a year ago, he is the perfect profile of a designer who Nova Iskra is intended for.

Nenad Merzel was born in Belgrade in 1989. After finishing High School for Design, in 2012 he graduated from the Academy of Applied Arts in Belgrade – Departmenr of interior and furniture design. He took part in numerous exhibitions, student projects and festivals, including Talent Zone of Mikser Festival, 100% Future Serbia, Belgrade Design Week, Bloodesign, Skopje Design Week, Belgrade Furniture Fair and other events.

We sincerely congratulate Nenad, and are also inviting other interested young designers to apply for our next annual open call that will be announced in November 2014!