As we wrap up a successful Global Skills Challenge held in Melbourne, Australia, it is worth reflecting on the amazing ‘newness’ in both the test projects deployed and the success of the competitor and expert interactions.

Worldskills Australia was very fortunate to be able to host this competition at one of Australia’s premier design schools, RMIT Brunswick, and hosted a handful of nations including Chinese Taipei; Hong Kong; Singapore; UAE; Korea and of course, introduced our Australian Skillaroo, Nellie Holder to international competition.

A quick review of some ‘new style’ projects undertaken at the Global Skills Challenge event:

1. A new Type Specimen project using a custom typeface by Milletype Foundry via ex-French competitor, Corentin Echivard (Silver medalist, Kazan WSI 2019)
2. Insight into a challenging packaging project developed by Canadian competitor Leah Lucyshyn (Special Edition 2022) which asked competitors to develop two (2) calligraphic pen boxes for a premium target market.
3. An industry collaboration Road Safety campaign brief from RE:ACT, which included the first ‘test piloting’ of competitor presentations showcasing their process in their preferred language. There is no better way to trial a new initiative, than to test it under competition conditions with the competitors themselves. They performed wonderfully, but also identified some issues that need to be overcome if this can be deployed at an international level competition.
4. Interactive PDF development of the new Graphic Design Technology (Skill 40) Standards and Assessment Guide for Lyon — Which included a new logo and dynamic layout, to be considered by the 35+ experts due to participate in Lyon in September.

Huge congratulations to our competitors efforts and final medalist — Jian-Kai Liao from Chinese Taipei {GOLD} + Joanne Li from Singapore {SILVER} + Chaehwan Kim from Korea {BRONZE}. Plus, a huge thanks for the standout efforts of Ameera Bader A H Alhosani from United Arab Emirates + Sammi LI Sum Yi from Hong Kong + our Skillaroo representing Australia Nellie Holder.

Very grateful for the support of fellow experts, Miira and Lilly (Translator) from (TW) , Billy (HK), Steven (UAE), Mr Kyunggue Lee and Sehee (Translator) (KR) and Jeffery (SG).

Huge shout out to RMIT Brunswick, including wonderful on the ground support from Anni, Anika, Ruth, Simon and Dale.

Some photos capturing the intensity of the Global Skills Challenge below.