News

The “Better Leaders, Better World” award has been presented for the third time, and in 2024, Réka Matheidesz, the CEO of MOME (Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design), was honored with the accolade. This award continues to recognize leaders who not only believe in creating a fairer, more compassionate society but actively work toward it through their leadership.

What started out as a geometric model went on to become one of the world’s most famous spatial puzzle games. Generations have grown up tackling the Rubik’s Cube, invented by Ernő Rubik at MOME’s predecessor institution, the Academy of Applied Arts. In 2024, this iconic object celebrates its 50th anniversary, coinciding with its inventor’s 80th birthday, marking two important milestones. To commemorate the occasion, a unique travelling installation created by MOME students and alumni pays tribute to both the Cube and its inventor, with Tokyo as its first stop.

How can design respond to the complex challenges of our time? What methods can be used to preserve traditional knowledge while embracing cutting-edge technological advancements? The Challenging Future exhibition in London, showcasing the most outstanding diploma projects from MOME, seeks to answer these fundamental questions and reflects the university’s mission to address the most pressing issues of the 21st century through a synthesis of design-based education, research, and practical expertise.

Since 2020, students of MOME’s Institute for Theoretical Studies have had the opportunity to apply for the 1-year grant specifically supporting the early careers of curators and theoretical experts five times in a row. In the 2024/2025 academic year, the final iteration of the grant was awarded to the editorial team of Rendes Kapuőrök, a group of ten Design Theory MA students, for their concept of an Instagram platform dedicated to exhibition criticism.

Budapest-Rome The Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) and the Collegium Hungaricum Rome have launched a residency programme to foster artistic creativity, interdisciplinarity, and cultural value creation. The official signing of the contract for the Rome Student Residency Programme, established in collaboration between the two institutions, took place on 21 October at the MOME Campus.

The Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) continues its forest-planting initiative, with MOME students and staff planting a new forest in the Vízvár area in collaboration with experts from the Danube-Drava National Park on 14 to 16 November. The action will be preceded by professional events at MOME’s Budapest Campus, starting on 12 November with a lecture by biomimicry researcher Yael Helfman-Cohen from Tel Aviv, followed by biologist and Head of WWF Hungary’s Forest Programme Dr. László Gálhidy on 13 November.

As part of its commitment to sustainability and the FISU Healthy Campus programme, MOME has introduced new eco-friendly transportation alternatives. By partnering with GreenGo and MOL Bubi, it enables students, faculty, and staff to opt for green transportation to the Zugliget Campus.

Celebrated graphic artist and designer of the iconic Zoom, István Bányai was a defining figure in the history of press and magazines. Known for his work with The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, New York, and Playboy, he would have turned 75 this year. To honour his legacy, his alma mater, the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME), will present a selection of his work in an exhibition this November, offering a contemporary perspective on his oeuvre for the first time in Hungary.

“A piece from which its owner can draw strength" – this is how designer Bálint Szalai described the new Highlights of Hungary award trophy, co-designed with fellow designer Adrienn Király as the prestigious event marks the beginning of its second decade this year. This year’s recipients were the first to hold the new trophy, while the Kreatív Magazine special award was presented to MOME senior lecturer and designer of the Your Nature collection Apol Temesi. All three designers are proud MOME alumni who remain closely connected to their alma mater.

By joining the global FISU Healthy Campus programme, MOME has strengthened its commitment to fostering a health-conscious culture on Campus and offers diverse opportunities for students and staff to embrace a healthier lifestyle. With events spanning multiple dimensions, such as physical activity, mental well-being, nutrition, social responsibility, and sustainability, the programme takes a holistic approach to enhancing the well-being of the university community. Over the past months, MOME has not only hosted various events but also joined international initiatives like the BeActive campaign and the Let’s Move for Paris movement, both inspired by the spirit of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Elle magazine is organising the third ELLE Decoration International Design Awards Hungary (EDIDA) event to celebrate outstanding Hungarian designers. This year there are many MOME alumni on the shortlist once again, in the ‘Young Designer of the Year’, ‘Product of the Year’, ‘Brand of the Year’ and ‘Sustainable Initiative of the Year’ categories.

This year’s winning projects in the Cooperative Doctoral Programme of the University Research Fellowship Programme (EKÖP KDP) include a research study on the design-oriented transformation possibilities of the child protection system, as well as the development of a socially, ecologically, and urbanistically sustainable system with a focus on social and inclusive design principles and methodologies.